*2024-25 ODWNA Speaker Series
During the months of June - August, the ODWNA Board works to secure speakers for our Association meetings for the upcoming year. If you have any thoughts/ideas/suggestions on potential speakers you are encouraged to email us your thoughts. We begin to finalize our speakers in July so we need to receive your ideas by July 1. Thanks in advance! *New ODWNA Board Member
In February 2024 we regretfully accepted the resignation of ODWNA board member Eric Boersma. Eric served our board with distinction for four years; his focus was mainly on the Safe Routes to School project as well as neighborhood traffic calming but Eric also contributed in many other areas. We appreciate Eric’s involvement and many talents! Accordingly, pursuant to Article VI. Section 6 of the ODWNA Constitution President Chris Shook appointed a member to the Board to replace Eric. After having submitted his application and being interviewed by multiple board members, we are pleased to announce that our newest ODWNA board member is Barry Olson. Barry is a Hillcrest area resident and Associate Vice President – Campus Life, Student Affairs at Western Michigan University. Barry has wide-ranging interests in preserving and supporting the neighborhood (with a focus on safety and traffic calming) and has many years’ experience in community engagement, leadership, and building relationships and connections. Please join us in welcoming Barry to the board! *Stewards of S. Glen Park
2024 Clean Up & Planting Days - Volunteers Welcome! S. Glen Park is a public, neighborhood "mini-park" located off Kensington Ave. (between Ferdon & Wellington) 2024 workdays: Wed. May 22 2p-4p Planting with Wild Ones Sat. June 8 10a-Noon Workday Invasive removal Sat. June 22 10a-Noon Workday - Invasive removal Sat. July 13 10a-Noon General Workday Sat. Sept. 14 2p-4p Workday treat invasives Sat. October 12 2p-4p General Workday Wed. October 26 Set up Haunted Woods for Halloween No rain dates - Dress for work and the weather - Bring your own work gloves and bug spray Questions? Email Karin The Stewards of Glen Park's mission aligns with the ODWN Neighborhood Plan's "Environmental Responsibility" section, which focuses on ways to promote the enjoyment and sustainable management of existing neighborhood natural systems, recognizes them as important assets, and proposes ways to protect them. * Winchell Native Plant Enthusiasts
2024 Calendar of Events
*Safe Streets for All
Initial Traffic Calming Results Why did the City compete, obtain, and are now implementing a SS4A Supplemental Planning Grant? You can see the initial public study HERE *Neighborhood Road Construction Projects
March thru October - Projects set to start on Whites Rd. & Westnedge Ave. During construction, Whites Rd. will be open eastbound only. Drivers will be directed around construction via Howard or Kilgore to Oakland. The full project is scheduled to be completed in late October. Details and project updates at: www.kalamazoocity.org/projects * Installation of innovative stormwater treatment system underway at Asylum Lake
Work has begun on a project employing a two-pronged approach to improving the water quality of Asylum Lake. The core of this project involves installing a stormwater treatment device that uses technology and natural processes to prevent phosphorus, sediment and other pollutants from being released into the lake from untreated urban stormwater. You can read the full story HERE... *2024 City Clean Up Info.
(click on the blue text for full details)
*City Resources Available Online Regarding Deer Nuisances
City resources are available online to help Kalamazoo residents that are experiencing nuisance issues caused by the deer population. You can find helpful resources like deer resistant plants, information about fencing, and how to report issues at www.kalamazoocity.org/deer. You can also read the ad hoc committee's report on Kalamazoo's deer population. * Residents can report traffic violations to police online
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) new webpage https://kalamazoopublicsafety.org/traffic/ with a form which allows you to report speeding, stop sign and red light violations, school bus violations, crosswalk violations, and more. You can also report where violations happen, how often they happen, and other details. KDPS says they will use the feedback to determine where to deploy their resources to address concerns. In case of an emergency, call 911. To report a malfunctioning traffic light or other equipment issues, call 311. *Native Plants
Update: Further Info. and Plant Sales We had a great turnout (and interest!) in our February 2021 ODWNA meeting relating to native plants. As a follow up, you will find below further information regarding native plants, as well as opportunities for you to purchase native plants for this year! 1) Native Plants "Cheat Sheet" - thanks to our February speaker Linda Whitlock, you can download HERE a "cheat sheet" of native plant information for our area, as well as other valuable resources. 2) Local Native Plant Sales (click on the links for details): *ODWN Neighborhood Plan
APPROVED By City Commission 6/1/20 Our Neighborhood Plan is now a part of the City's Master Plan!
*City & Neighborhood: Site Plans, Road Projects, Other Projects
1) Site Plans: The city regularly posts to their website active site plans for review and comment by the public. You can find all site plans HERE You can send any comments regarding a site plan to: siteplan@kalamazoocity.org 2) Road Projects: You can find information about road construction and other projects HERE 3) Other Projects: All other "Imagine Kalamazoo" city projects can be found HERE |
Our next ODWNA Association meeting is:
Wed. September 18, 2024; 7:00pm - 8:30pm The ODWNA does not hold Association meeting in June, July, or August. However, if you have any questions, etc. for the board we can still be reached over the summer by email. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE *Kalamazoo Farmers Market Opens May 4
The market will be open on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1204 Bank Street. Tuesday and Thursday hours will start in June. Learn More *Gates, Restrooms, and Water Fountains Now Open at City Parks
Kalamazoo city park gates, restrooms, and water fountains are open for the summer season, and parks and pavilions are available to rent. Learn more about Kalamazoo’s city parks including park locations and amenities. *Summer Program Registration for Kzoo Parks
Open for City Residents on April 1 Registration for Kzoo Parks summer camps and programs will open on Monday, April 1 for Kalamazoo city residents and on Monday, April 8 for non-residents. Check out the fun programs Kzoo Parks has planned for this summer! Learn More *Curbside Recycling
ALSO - Spring Clean-Up Starts April 1 (same PU Schedule as your Bulk Trash PU!) Curbside bulk trash collection happens in March, June, September, and December. Your collection day depends on what area of the city you live in. You can find full details & your collection day for by searching for your address HERE. *Recycle Coach App
FREE App For Personalized Trash, Recycling Info. And More! The City of Kalamazoo has launched of a mobile app (iPhone & Android) and website plug-in containing all of the information residents need to know about residential trash and recycling services, tailored specifically to your neighborhood. Other features include:
The app is available for Android and iPhone users and can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play for free by searching for “Recycle Coach” *Upcoming City Projects
Curious about a project that is happening in the City? Want to find out what street construction projects are planned this year? Wondering about upcoming parks projects? All City projects can be found at: www.kalamazoocity.org/projects Projects are identified on an interactive map that includes the project scope and estimate start and completion dates (actual dates are dependent on weather and other factors and may differ). You can also sign up for email updates on road construction at that website that will be provided approximately every two weeks. *Kalamazoo County Smart911 Available
Now Available! Public Safety Officials Encourage Residents to Sign Up For the Free Service That Provides Emergency Responders with More Information in the Event of an Emergency Public safety officials in Kalamazoo County announced today that Smart911 is now available to all individuals in Kalamazoo County. Smart911 is a free service that allows individuals and families to sign up online to provide key information to 9-1-1 call takers during an emergency. Smart911 allows citizens to create a Safety Profile at www.smart911.com for their household that includes any information they want 9-1-1 and response teams to have in the event of an emergency. When a citizen makes an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information. *Are Your Service Water Pipes Made of Lead?
Check the map and database link below Kalamazoo's municipal water system has about 4,300 known lead service lines at about 2,800 addresses out of a total of more than 46,000 service lines in the system. At about 1,600 addresses, both the yard service lines and street service lines are lead. Of those addresses with one or the other, most of the lead pipes are yard service lines, according to city records. You can go to an MLive article HERE to access the map and/or search the database to see if your address is listed. Lead and Copper Program The City offers free lead and copper testing kits to City of Kalamazoo water customers. In an effort to streamline the City’s Lead and Copper program and respond timely to customers, the City requests that all calls and inquiries be directed to (269) 337-8550. ================== Here is a guide from the EPA, supplied to us by the City, that explains: • How lead gets into the body • About health effects of lead • What you can do to protect your family • Where to go for more information Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home * Connect With City Government!
Connect with the city to receive news, updates, and alerts 1) General Questions / Comments? (269) 337-8000 or 3-1-1 within city limits -or- www.KalamazooCity.org/contact 2) Foundation For Excellence website 3) www.ImagineKalamazoo.com where the public can connect and collaborate with local decision makers and other residents on the future of our community. 4) www.kalamazoocity.org/connect provides information on how residents can connect with the city to receive important information and updates. 5) The city has created an online newsletter. This bi-monthly publication will contain information about what is happening around the City and include news, alerts, meeting schedules & agendas, and events. Go HERE to sign up. |
ODWNA Statement of Purpose
-Preserve and enhance the neighborhood living concept in the area via the ODWN Neighborhood Plan.
-Protect the natural beauty of the area.
-Encourage the beautification, physical well-being and neighborhood spirit of the residential area.
-Constructively assist the Kalamazoo City and County Planning Commissions.
-Provide a forum for open and frank discussion of different points of view on neighborhood development.
-Provide for communication on matters of neighborhood interest to residents.
The Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Association was founded in 1973 in response to the City of Kalamazoo's proposal to widen Oakland Drive, which would have required the removal of many trees.
-Protect the natural beauty of the area.
-Encourage the beautification, physical well-being and neighborhood spirit of the residential area.
-Constructively assist the Kalamazoo City and County Planning Commissions.
-Provide a forum for open and frank discussion of different points of view on neighborhood development.
-Provide for communication on matters of neighborhood interest to residents.
The Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Association was founded in 1973 in response to the City of Kalamazoo's proposal to widen Oakland Drive, which would have required the removal of many trees.
ODWNA Board Members
President - Chris Shook
Vice President - Diana Morton-Thompson
Treasurer - Rachel Bennett
Secretary - Chris Bovid
Past President - Peter Kushner
Board Members at-large:
Christine Chadderdon
Barbara Miller
Paul Scott
Stephanie Watkins
President - Chris Shook
Vice President - Diana Morton-Thompson
Treasurer - Rachel Bennett
Secretary - Chris Bovid
Past President - Peter Kushner
Board Members at-large:
Christine Chadderdon
Barbara Miller
Paul Scott
Stephanie Watkins
Oakland Drive / Winchell Neighborhood Map
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ODWNA ~ P.O. BOX 20061 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019
ODWNA ~ P.O. BOX 20061 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019