Oakland Drive / Winchell Neighborhood
  • Home
  • 2025-26 Speaker Series
  • NEIGH. PLAN
  • "WALK" Urban Nature Route
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Kleinstuck Preserve
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Woods Lake Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Kensington (Lake) Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: N. and S. Glen Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Canyon Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Hillside Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Asylum Lake Preserve
  • JOIN the Association
  • Contact Us
  • Neighborhood Issues
    • Traffic Calming
    • Natural Features Protection (NFP) Overlay
    • Glen Park
    • Deer
    • Imagine Kalamazoo 2025
    • Public Safety
    • Consumers Energy: Tree Cutting/Easements
    • Asylum Lk. - BTR2 Runoff
    • Vermeulen Property
    • Stadium Lighting
  • Association Information
  • Resource Links
  • BUSINESS MEMBERS - Resource Page
  • Governance
  • ODWNA Meeting Minutes
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2024-25
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2023-24
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2022-23
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2021-22
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2020-21
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2019-20
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2018-19
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2017-18
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2016-17
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2015-16
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2014-15
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2013-14
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2012-13
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2011-12
  • Home
  • 2025-26 Speaker Series
  • NEIGH. PLAN
  • "WALK" Urban Nature Route
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Kleinstuck Preserve
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Woods Lake Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Kensington (Lake) Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: N. and S. Glen Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Canyon Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Hillside Park
    • "WALK" Urban Nature Route :: Asylum Lake Preserve
  • JOIN the Association
  • Contact Us
  • Neighborhood Issues
    • Traffic Calming
    • Natural Features Protection (NFP) Overlay
    • Glen Park
    • Deer
    • Imagine Kalamazoo 2025
    • Public Safety
    • Consumers Energy: Tree Cutting/Easements
    • Asylum Lk. - BTR2 Runoff
    • Vermeulen Property
    • Stadium Lighting
  • Association Information
  • Resource Links
  • BUSINESS MEMBERS - Resource Page
  • Governance
  • ODWNA Meeting Minutes
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2024-25
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2023-24
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2022-23
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2021-22
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2020-21
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2019-20
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2018-19
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2017-18
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2016-17
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2015-16
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2014-15
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2013-14
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2012-13
    • ODWNA Meeting Minutes - 2011-12
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
The Oakland Drive-Winchell Neighborhood Association Board of Directors has approved an official statement regarding Stadium Drive #1, LLC's request to rezone 4301 Stadium Drive from residential (RS5 & RM15) to Community Commercial. This statement will be submitted to the City Commission in writing, and a summary version will be read at the City Commission meeting on Monday, December 15 at 7pm (City Hall, 241 W. South St.). 

Community members are encouraged to attend the City Commission meeting to share their opinion on this urgent matter. Attendees wishing to speak will have three minutes to do so. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, email the City Commission. Please keep in mind: 
  • This is not just about a car wash. 4301 Stadium Drive is under contract to be purchased from the current owner by a real estate developer with no clear, shared plan of development.
  • If the property is rezoned to Community Commercial, it will allow for the most intense forms of commercial development to take place on the property, immediately adjacent to Asylum Lake Preserve and Stadium Drive Apartments.
  • The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend not rezoning the parcel. The City Commission will consider this recommendation, but ultimately has the decision-making power.


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Drake & Stadium Property Rezoning

A request is being made to rezone the property at 4301 Stadium Drive from residential to commercial, and we would like to know what you think. This one-question survey will only take a moment to fill out, and will help gauge what the neighborhood thinks of the rezoning request. Tell us what you think!

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Glen Park North Survey

What do you want to see in Glen Park North? This little park connecting Kensington and Wellington is a neighborhood gem, and we want to hear your thoughts on it. Please take a few minutes to tell us what you think. If you have kids, have them fill it out when they get home from school!


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Kalamazoo Native Plants & Soil Health Study

Do you have both native grassland and traditional lawn on your property? If so, WMU scientists are looking for volunteers to participate in their project researching how native grassland installations impact soil health, biodiversity, and urban sustainability in the City of Kalamazoo. See below, and contact the researchers at [email protected] or [email protected].


Join the ODWNA Today
An annual membership of $20 per person helps fund:
  • ODWNA initiatives like our Speaker Series and Adopt-a-Drain program
  • Neighborhood events like the Annual Car Show and Earth Day Fun Run
  • Communication tools including our monthly eNews, website, and mailings
Members who pay their dues by February 19, 2026 are also eligible to vote in the Association’s annual election. You can pay via Venmo; please indicate "Dues," and include your name, address, and email. More details available here. 

The ODWNA Board of Directors increased dues to $20 per person per year at the July 2025 Board of Directors meeting, pursuant to Article IV, Section 3 of the ODWNA By-Laws.

Agshin Jafarov Appointed to Fill Vacancy on ODWNA Board

In accordance with the Oakland Drive-Winchell Neighborhood Association By-Laws, and with approval of the Board of Directors, Agshin Jafarov has been appointed to fill a vacant seat on the board with a term ending May 20, 2026. Agshin has been a positive and helpful partner of the Association for years, and we're excited to have him join the board. If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us anytime. 

2025 ODWNA Annual Summary
Curious about what the ODWNA does? The Board of Directors compiled an annual summary of the Association's activities, finances, and board member roles. Take a look, and let us know what you're dreaming up for the neighborhood here!


As always, feel free to 
email us
 with your thoughts for the neighborhood!
NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING
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Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 7:00pm
Third Christian Reformed Church, 2400 Winchell Avenue - Fellowship Hall

Speaker: Jess Thompson, Downtown Kalamazoo Collective 
Topic: Bringing Our Community Together

CITY NEWS
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Report Missed Leaves to 311
November 15- December 23

City crews have wrapped up leaf collection in the neighborhood, but missed pickups can still be reported by calling 311. Place your leaves on your curblawn, NOT in the street. Please remember your neighbors, including children, need to get to school, commute to work, and exercise. Leaf debris can also clog storm drains and negatively impact our neighborhood's precious bodies of water. Property owners placing leaves in bike lanes and on the street could be ticketed. 

If you have late dropping leaves, simply report a missed pickup any time until Dec 23. You can do this by calling 311, emailing [email protected], or use the City's form at https://www.kalamazoocity.org/.../Report-a-Missed-Pickup. More info is available at https://www.kalamazoocity.org/.../Recycl.../Fall-Leaf-Pickup.


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Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 28, 5p

The City of Kalamazoo will host its Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 28 in Bronson Park! Festivities are planned from 5 to 7 p.m. The lighting of the park will occur at approximately 6 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to celebrate the holiday season and the diverse traditions that make it so special.  


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Malcolm Hankins Hired as City Manager

Following a national search and a multistage public process, the Kalamazoo City Commission voted at its October 20 Business Meeting to select Malcolm Hankins for the position of City Manager. Hankins will start in January, succeeding Jim Ritsema, who will retire this month after 12 years of service. An interim City Manager will be appointed for the period inbetween. Visit www.kalamazoocity.org/CityManagerSearch for information on the City Manager search process.


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Kalamazoo Watershed Stormwater Education Survey

The Kalamazoo Stormwater Working Group is looking to understand the effectiveness of their stormwater education efforts, and you can help by filling out this quick survey.


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Fall/Winter 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! 

Please remember that leaves should be placed on the property's curb lawn or at street edge. Do not place leaves in the street! Bike lanes, sidewalks and traffic lanes must be kept clear at all times. Blocking the public right of way could result in a fine.


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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.


2025 City Clean Up Info
  • Brush Collection: May through October
  • Bulk Trash: March, June, September, December
  • EPS Foam & Electronics Recycling: April, July, October, December
  • FREE Scrap Tire Recycling: Appt. Required, sign up @ website
Details can be found in the City's View From The Curb​

Connect With City Government
  • General Questions / Comments 3-1-1 or (269) 337-8000 or [email protected]
  • Imagine Kalamazoo 2035
  • Sign up for the City's eNewsletter
  • Recycling and waste info: Recycle Coach
  • Foundation For Excellence

Neighborhood/City Construction Projects
  • Current City projects
  • Current Site Plans under review
WALK Nature Route
Adopt A Drain
Report Traffic Issues


ODWNA Board Members
President
 -
Stephanie Watkins
Vice President - Barry Olson
Treasurer - Jim Freeman
Secretary - Chris Bovid
Past President - Chris Shook


Board Members at-large:
Rachel Bennett
Todd Ellis
Ellen Foley
Agshin Jafarov
​Paul Scott
ODWNA Statement of Purpose
  • Preserve and enhance the neighborhood living concept in the area via the Oakland Drive-Winchell 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.

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[email protected]
ODWNA ~ 2925 Oakland Drive, #105 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008