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* 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... *Neighborhood Hydrant Flushing
Starts Sunday Sept. 17 Due to a water infrastructure repair at one of the City of Kalamazoo water pumping station, there will be a change in the flushing schedule. Please see the revised map for the new dates. The City flushes the water system every spring and fall to force the naturally occurring mineral deposits out of the system. Flushing is also an opportunity to make sure components in the system are working properly. • Flushing does not affect the safety of your water. • Most flushing will take place at night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. If necessary, daytime flushing will occur between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. • Tap water may temporarily appear cloudy right after flushing as minerals are stirred up, but this isn’t harmful. Run your water in a bathtub or utility sink until it runs clear again. • If you have scheduled construction during hydrant flushing or have any questions related to the program, please call 311 or (269) 337-8000. • Avoid doing laundry immediately after flushing as some fabrics could become discolored. *Quarterly Bulk Trash Pickup
September 2023 Schedule [NOTE - BULK TRASH PU IS RUNNING A FEW DAYS BEHIND SCHEDULE.] • Bulk trash pickups occur in March, June, September, and December • Place material out the day before your pickup • Report missed collections or remove material within two days Full details on what is accepted (or not), and PU map HERE * Kensington Park Improvements
Kayak Launch Arm and Picnic Table The ODWNA board continues to advocate for our neighborhood plan and has worked with the City to have them install both a kayak launch arm and a picnic table in Kensington Park for your use and enjoyment! Click HERE to see a short video on how it works! These improvements align with the Environmental Responsibility section of the ODWN Neighborhood Plan; Increase Access to Green Space and Parks section. 
*Stewards of Glen Park
Work Days - Volunteers Needed N. & S. Glen Park are neighborhood "mini-parks" located off Kensington Ave. (between Ferdon & Wellington) The Stewards are part of Kzoo Parks "Adopt A Park" program; a sanctioned group of community volunteers who “adopt” a city park to help beautify and care for it. Our neighborhood has a number of parks and "mini parks" and the Stewards are keeping S. Glen Park beautiful! Remainder of 2023 workdays: SAT October 14, 1p - 3p FRI October 27, 10a - 11a (Halloween Haunted Woods Setup) SAT November 11, 10a - 11a All workdays involve work such as: general cleanup, removing invasive species, planting, etc. No rain dates - Dress for work and the weather - Bring your own work gloves, hand tools, and bug spray. Questions? Email Karin The Stewards of Glen Park's mission aligns with the ODWN Neighborhood Plan's Environmental Responsibility section - Identifying and protecting Neighborhood Natural Assets. *City Spring/Summer Clean Up Info.
ODWNA Board of Directors Election Below are the results of the 2023 Oakland Drive-Winchell Neighborhood Association Board of Directors election. Pursuant to the ODWNA Constitution, the new officer and director terms of office begin May 18, 2023 (the day following the Annual Meeting). Officer terms are for two years, and Director terms are for three years: President: Chris Shook V. President: Diana Morton-Thompson Treasurer: Rachel Bennett Secretary: Chris Bovid Past President: Peter Kushner At Large: Eric Boersma Christine Chadderdon Barbara Miller Paul Scott Stephanie Watkins *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 October 18, 2023, 7:00pm Speaker: Dr. Darrin Slade, KPS Superintendent Topic: Progress, Priorities, Expectations Location: 3rd Christian Reformed Church (use back entrance) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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
*Sounds of the Zoo Music Festival Returns for Its Second Year
Monday Sept. 25 Sounds of the Zoo, a free music festival at venues throughout Downtown Kalamazoo is returning for its second year on Monday, September 25. It will bring seven days of free performances at venues like Bell's Brewery, Bronson Park, the Kalamazoo State Theatre, Old Dog, KNAC, and many more. Don't miss this amazing new event that showcases a diverse range of styles from the areas best performers. Find the full schedule and details HERE *Kzoo Parks Info.
1) Master Plan Review Wednesday Sept. 27, 4:00-7:00pm, Milham Park Kzoo Parks is hosting another community meeting at Milham Park on Wednesday, September 27. This time, they'll share some of the thoughts and ideas from the two input meetings we held earlier this summer! Join us to review these concepts with us and share your feedback! It's an open-house-style meeting, so feel free to come anytime that's convenient and stay as long or short as you like! We look forward to seeing you anytime between 4 and 7 p.m.! Details HERE 2) Fall Kzoo Parks Programs - Registration Open Registration is open for several Kzoo Parks fall programs like youth soccer, volleyball, and more and will be opening soon for esports programs as well! Learn more and sign up HERE *CONNECT KALAMAZOO Website Goes Live to Share Video, Improve Safety
Kalamazoo Public Safey (KDPS) and the City of Kalamazoo have partnered with Fusus, a public-private crime mitigation and safety platform to help keep Kalamazoo Safe. Fusus allows public safety agencies to seamlessly tie together public and private video and data sources and deliver them via a cloud-based platform, in real-time, to significantly improve situational awareness and increase efficiency for first responders and investigators, with the overall objective to keep Kalamazoo safe. CONNECT KALAMAZOO is secure website that allows residents and businesses in Kalamazoo to join Fusus by registering their cameras. CONNECT KALAMAZOO offers two options: Camera Registry and Camera Integration. Full details HERE *New Local Laws Prohibits Holding Mobile Devices While Driving
In Effect as of June 30 A new local law will take effect on Friday, June 30 to prohibit holding mobile electronic devices while driving. It corresponds to State law signed earlier this month by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The change looks to keep people safe by reducing distracted driving and the injuries and deaths associated with the resulting crashes. 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
