STORM CLEANUP - CITY UPDATE
The City of Kalamazoo is working with all deliberate speed to respond to storm damage throughout the city. City Public Services crews are responding to reports of downed trees and power lines and are cleaning up fallen trees and limbs. Crews are prioritizing trees blocking major streets, and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is coordinating with Consumers Energy to address downed power lines. Residents should call 911 to report fallen trees or limbs blocking streets. For fallen trees or limbs that are not blocking streets, call 311 or (269) 337-8000. Residents can bring fallen limbs and brush to the curb for pickup. City crews will collect this material as soon as they are able to, however currently there is no estimated time frame. Full details HERE *Adopt A Drain Naming Contest
Vote thru May 20 Did you know that when you adopt a neighborhood storm drain you can name it? We've seen some clever ones, so we're holding a contest! Adopt and name yours by Wednesday, May 14, vote for your favorite HERE by May 20, and the winner will receive a $25 gift card to the Oakwood Plaza business of their choice. The winner will be announced at the annual Oakland Drive-Winchell Neighborhood Association meeting on May 21. If you haven't adopted your drain by May 14, you can still go to the website, check out the names, and vote for your favorite! Please only vote once; kids can vote, too! *Stewards of S. Glen Park
Clean Up & Planting Days - Volunteers Welcome! S. Glen Park is a "mini-park" located off Kensington Ave. (between Ferdon & Wellington) The Stewards are part of Kzoo Parks "Adopt A Park" program. Next workdays:
Questions? Email Karin *ODWNA Dues
NEW Dues Structure Starting May 2024 Per the ODWNA’s updated bylaws (May 2024):
What your dues help support / What the ODWNA does for you:
*Neighborhood/City Construction Projects
Details and project updates at: www.kalamazoocity.org/projects You can also sign up for email updates on road construction there. *2025 City Clean Up Info.
(click on the blue text for full details)
*Native Plants
Native Plants "Cheat Sheet" - Download HERE a "cheat sheet" of native plant information for our area, as well as other valuable resources. Local Native Plant Sales (click on the links for details): *ODWN Neighborhood Plan
APPROVED By City Commission 6/1/20 You can download the FINAL approved plan HERE *City & Neighborhood: Site Plans, Road Projects, Other Projects
1) Site Plans 2) Road Projects 3) Other Projects |
Our next ODWNA Association meeting is:
*13th Annual Neighborhood Car Show
Wed. May 21; 7:00pm - 8:30pm Front Winchell Elem. Parking Lot (ODWNA Annual Meeting at 6:30pm) This annual event is the ODWNA's way to invite everyone to come out and meet up with your neighbors, as well as have the chance to see some really cool classic cars! We are excited to welcome back our Car Show sponsor - Ric & Stan's Car Wash! Locally owned since 1983 and part of the Oakland Drive-Winchell neighborhood! And of course, Camzies Pizza will again have their wood-fired pizzas available! We are also welcoming another food vendor this year - Ice Cream Social Kalamazoo! The owners are Winchell residents who have recreated the 1980s ice cream truck experience! In addition, the KDPS K-9 unit will be there and we're working on bring back the fire truck! If you would like to enter your vehicle (no entry fee) or have any questions about our car show, email Paul Scott HERE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE - the ODWNA does not hold Association meetings in June, July, or August but our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE *Buzz in the Zoo
In May Buzz in the Zoo is about transforming our community into a pollinator paradise. By making small, simple changes to our lawn care, we can support Michigan’s butterflies, bees, and other pollinators while keeping our neighborhoods vibrant. We want to spread awareness about pollinators, inspire sustainable lawncare practices, highlight how planting native species and making pollinator-friendly choices can have a lasting impact, and engage our community with fun activities. Full details and how YOU can participate HERE Click on the image below for full details
*Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market
Opening Day - May 3 The Kalamazoo Farmers Market (1204 Bank Street) opened for the 2025 season on Saturday, May 3. The market will be open every Saturday, May through October (7am to 1pm) and in November through the 22nd (8am to 1pm). A mini weekday market will be available every Tuesday and Thursday (8am to 1pm) from June 3 through October 9. There will also be special Thursday night market events (5pm to 10pm) on June 19, July 17, August 21, and September 18. The Market will be open as construction continues on the new Multipurpose Building located on site. More information on the Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market HERE *Composting in Kalamazoo Just Got Easier
You can now drop off food scraps at locations around the city as part of a new pilot program. It’s a simple step with a big environmental impact. Let’s turn food waste into something good! Full details 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) containing all of the information residents need to know about residential trash and recycling services, tailored specifically to your neighborhood. 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” *Kalamazoo County Smart911 Available
Now Available! 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. * 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) IK 2035: www.ImagineKalamazoo.com 4) www.kalamazoocity.org/connect 5) Sign up for the City's eNewsletter HERE |
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 - Stephanie Watkins
Treasurer - Rachel Bennett
Secretary - Chris Bovid
Past President - Peter Kushner
Board Members at-large:
Christine Chadderdon
Barbara Miller
Diana Morton-Thompson
Barry Olson
Paul Scott
President - Chris Shook
Vice President - Stephanie Watkins
Treasurer - Rachel Bennett
Secretary - Chris Bovid
Past President - Peter Kushner
Board Members at-large:
Christine Chadderdon
Barbara Miller
Diana Morton-Thompson
Barry Olson
Paul Scott
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