Inter-Neighborhood Bike Bus
Saturday, May 9 Join the Oakland Drive-Winchell, Westnedge Hill, Vine, and Milwood Neighborhoods for a free, family-friendly bike ride downtown to the Bikes in the Zoo event as part of Kalamazoo Area Bike Week 2026! This is a casual, slow-roll ride from nine different neighborhood stops down to the Kalamazoo Mall. Hop on at any stop along the way, or feel free to drive and park at one of the schools or Oakwood Plaza and ride from there. The Vine Neighborhood Association will be hosting a bike decorating station so we can get gussied up before we roll into downtown Kalamazoo. The Oakland Drive-Winchell Neighborhood group will leave Oakwood Plaza at 12pm. Hope to see you there! 
Kalamazoo Area Bike Week
May 9-16 The 15th annual Kalamazoo Area Bike Week returns in 2026, starting Saturday May 9 with daily events running through Saturday, May 16. Bike Week 2026 will offer more than 30 events, including community rides, a bike rodeo for kids, rider and traffic safety tips, and more. Bike Week shines a spotlight on fun bicycling events that take place throughout the year in greater Kalamazoo, and highlights the need to drive and bike safely. Check out www.kalamazoobikeweek.org for details. Annual ODWNA Meeting & Neighborhood Car Show
Wednesday, May 20, 6:30p Join us at Winchell Elementary at 6:30p for the the annual Oakland Drive-Winchell Neighborhood Association meeting, where we'll review what we've accomplished in the past year. The car show will follow immediately, and we are excited to welcome back our sponsor, Ric & Stan's Car Wash, locally owned since 1983 and part of the Oakland Drive-Winchell neighborhood. Camzies Pizza will again have their wood-fired pizzas available, and Ice Cream Social will have sweet treats. If you would like to enter your vehicle (no entry fee) or have any questions about our car show, email us at [email protected]. ALPMC Interlocal Agreement Recommended Provisions
The Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council has formally adopted a recommendations list for the purpose of providing recommendations to Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo County in drafting the Interlocal Agreement for transition of control of the Preserve from WMU to Kalamazoo County Parks. The ALPMC does not think it is likely that all of these recommendations will be used but wanted to provide as much relevant information in its recommendations as possible and then allow legal counsel for WMU and the County to further refine the list to determine what will ultimately be incorporated into the initial draft of the Interlocal Agreement, which is anticipated by early summer. 
Introducing: Winchell Avenue Community Center
A group of residents in the Oakland Drive-Winchell Neighborhood is organizing to preserve the architecturally significant Alden B. Dow-designed building located at 2208 Winchell Avenue. The group formed after a neighborhood meeting discussing the property on February 9. A Michigan non-profit corporation called Winchell Avenue Community Center has been established and will be seeking 501(c)3 status in order to preserve the building, maintain zoning-compatible uses, establish a sustainable community and nonprofit shared-space model, and create long-term neighborhood stewardship. Questions may be directed to: [email protected]. Join the ODWNA Today
An annual membership of only $20 per person per year helps fund ODWNA initiatives like our monthly Speaker Series and Adopt-a-Drain program, neighborhood events including the Annual Car Show and Earth Day Fun Run, and communication tools including our e-news, website, and mailings. If you enjoy any or all of these benefits, please chip in to help us continue the work we love! You can sign up here, and pay via Venmo. 
Spring/Summer View From the Curb
Get all the info you need on waste, recycling, and public services in the latest issue of View From the Curb. Find your schedule for hydrant flushing, leaf pick up, bulk track collection, food scrap recycling and more - all in one document!
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Saturday, May 9, 12pm
Inter-Neighborhood Bike Bus
Wednesday, May 20, 6:30pm Annual ODWNA Meeting
Wednesday, May 20, 7pm 14th Annual Neighborhood Car Show
Buzz in the Zoo Yard Sign Contest
Wednesday, May 8 Buzz in the Zoo is looking for you to help make Kalamazoo a Pollinator Paradise! Help us design a yard sign that neighbors can use to spread the word about the importance of flowers, native plant habitat, and our flying friends. The competition is open to elementary school, middle school, high school, and college students in Kalamazoo, and one winner from each age group will be chosen to have their designs displayed in ‘Buzz in the Zoo’ participant yards. Details available at kalamazoocity.org/BuzzInTheZoo. 
Kzoo Parks Summer Camps
Registration for Kzoo Parks summer camps and programs is now open for Kalamazoo City residents. Registration is available online at www.kzooparks.org/programs or in person at the Kzoo Parks office (251 Mills St) Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Fridays by appointment. Registration will open for non-city residents on Monday, April 13. Kzoo Parks offers a variety of free and affordable summer programs for youth including music, career exploration, sports and recreation, and more. 
Home sharing Feasibility Study
Tuesday, May 12, 5:30-7p and Wednesday, May 13, 1:00-2:30p The City of Kalamazoo is partnering with New Venture Advisors to host two upcoming virtual conversations as part of a home sharing feasibility study. These sessions are a chance to learn a bit about home sharing, the study, and share your thoughts, experiences, and questions. Your input will provide valuable data for the researchers of the city’s official study. Important Note: This is a research and listening process to provide information on homeshare to the Kalamazoo community. Tuesday's session will be for homeowners interested in sharing perspectives and neighborhood expertise. Thursday's will be for individuals seeking housing, or organizations working with those in need of housing. Register here. 
Imagine Kalamazoo 2035: Design It!
You can now participate in Design It! online, on your time, from anywhere, with activities that mirror the in-person Design It! meetings. ✔ Complete a quick activity ✔ Share a few ideas ✔ Or dive deeper and give detailed feedback Every response will help create the Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 plan. Go to www.kalamazoocity.org/IKonline to start! |
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ODWNA Board Members
President - Stephanie Watkins Vice President - Barry Olson Treasurer - Jim Freeman Secretary - Chris Bovid Past President - Chris Shook Board Members at-large: Todd Ellis Ellen Foley Agshin Jafarov Alaina Schuld Paul Scott Run for the board! Review the Director Applications and Criteria here Connect with us any time at: [email protected] |
ODWNA Statement of Purpose
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. |
