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*FREE Pollinator Seeds!
As part of the ODWNA’s regular advocacy with the City, our Association Board has secured funding from the City through their 2023 “Quick Win” program to purchase pollinator plant seeds. This initiative aligns with our ODWN Neighborhood Plan: 1) “Environmental Responsibility; Identify and Protect Neighborhood Natural Assets” and 2) “Quality of Life, Encourage Regular Property Maintenance”. All residents of the Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood are welcome (and encouraged!) to get some to plant on your property. Simply email Board Member Stephanie Watkins with your name and address if you are interested; we will be in touch soon with details for pickup along with tips for planting! If you have ideas for future Quick Win projects, please let our board know! 
* 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... *City Clean Up Info.
*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:
Wednesday January 17, 2024, 7:00pm (*NO meeting in December) Speaker: Steven Brown, Executive Director Topic: Foundation For Excellence: Mission, History, Priorities, Impact Location: 3rd Christian Reformed Church (use back entrance) Starting in October - We are providing FREE babysitting at the church during the Association meeting! Let our babysitter watch your kid(s) while you attend. Available 6:50pm - 8:30pm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE NEW: 2023-2024 Fall/Winter View From The Curb is now available and full of very helpful information! Download it HERE
*Bike Traffic Signals Installed Downtown To Enhance Safety
Bicyclists riding through downtown Kalamazoo will have a safer route, thanks to the installation of new bicycle traffic signals. The new signals are located on: Michigan Avenue along the two-way bike cycle track as well as on Westnedge Avenue and Park Street at Michigan and Kalamazoo Avenues. Full Details HERE *Kalamazoo Avenue: Two-Way Plans
Draft plans for the two-way redesign of Kalamazoo Avenue are available for community members. The plans will outline the proposed street configuration for the two-way conversion plus locations for transit upgrades, pedestrian improvements, and other streetscape amenities like curb bump-outs, benches, lighting, and street trees. Information about smart traffic signal timing will also be included as part of the plans. Learn more 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:
Eric Boersma
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:
Eric Boersma
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
