December 2022 eNewsletter

The holiday season is officially underway and for many, the calendar is filling with festive gatherings and celebrations. If you’re looking for some Kentwood events this time of year, I encourage you to look into the City’s Holiday Light Display Contest, Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, and Community Choir Concert. 

For many of us, the holiday season brings fond memories of the past with joyful expectations for this year's time with family and friends. I also recognize the season can bring memories of grief along with the realities of financial pressures or other hardships. No matter what you are going through, help is available through the 2-1-1 Help Referral Service. Simply call 2-1-1 to get connected with resources in our community. Assistance is offered in many languages. We want all to experience the peace and joy of the season.

Blessings to you and yours, 

Mayor Stephen Kepley 

Join Our Tree Lighting and Holiday Light Parade Dec. 1 

Get in the holiday spirit at our annual tree lighting and holiday light parade from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. The event will feature take-home crafts, carriage rides, a visit from Santa and more. Find more information at kentwood.us/TreeLighting.  

Send a Letter to Santa by Dec. 16

Need to get in touch with Santa Claus? We can help get your letter to Kris Kringle– simply drop it in one of our special mailboxes at City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, or the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, through Dec. 16.

Letters can also be mailed to P.O. Box 8448, Kentwood, MI 49518. All letters will be forwarded to the North Pole for a response from Santa, so please include your return address. Look for more details at kentwood.us/LettersToSanta.

Learn About Holiday Giving Opportunities

Our annual holiday giving programs are back this year. Whether it’s Adopt-A-Child, Be a Santa to a Senior, the Holiday Hat and Mitten Tree or Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, every donation is greatly appreciated! If you’re able to join our efforts to make the holidays brighter for community members in need, find more information about programs including important dates at kentwood.us/HolidayGiving. 

Holiday Light Display Contest Returns

Dec. 1

Our popular holiday light display contest is returning after a successful inaugural year to help us to discover who is Kentwood’s Clark Griswold. Visit bit.ly/HolidayLightContest to register and submit photos of your display to eRecreation@kentwood.us by Dec. 14.

Photos will be posted to our social media platforms and voting will take place from Dec. 15-20. Winners will be announced Dec. 21. Don't miss out on this fun way to get into the holiday spirit with neighbors and friends. Learn more at kentwood.us/HolidayLightContest.  

Kentwood Community Choir Performs

Dec. 2

Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season with the Kentwood Community Choir’s Christmas concert. The group will perform classic carols and old-time favorites at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at Heritage Baptist Church, 1570 60th St. SE. The concert is free and open to the public. Freewill offerings will be accepted during intermission. Learn more at kentwood.us/ChoirConcert.  

Fall Leaf and Brush Drop-Offs Run Through

Dec. 3

Our leaf and brush drop-off services are open at the Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE, through Dec. 3. Brush, sticks, tree limbs, logs, loose leaves and grass clippings are accepted noon-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 3.

Proof of residency is required. Find more information at kentwood.us/BrushLeafDropOff.

Get Involved and Join a Committee

Want to get more involved in our community effort? Consider joining a City board or commission! We currently have openings on our Board of Review, Local Officers Compensation Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Learn more at kentwood.us/Committees.

Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Events

The Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch will offer a variety of programs this month, including:

Teen Zone: Thursday, Dec. 8, 4-5 p.m.

• Teen-only fun featuring board games, food and more.

Ready for Reindeer!: Saturday, Dec. 10, 10-11 a.m.

• Live reindeer will visit the library.

Gingerbread Lane: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 10-11 a.m.

• Each child will get to build and decorate a simple gingerbread house. Space is limited; this event is first come, first served.

Coding Class with Coders4Tomorrow: Thursday, Dec. 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Students in grades 4-8 can join to learn the basics of coding while creating video games. No previous coding experience is required. Space is limited; this event is first come, first served.

Countdown to Happy Noon Year!: Saturday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Kids can ring in the new year with a countdown, noisemakers and more – without staying up past their bedtime.

Find a full list of events at kdl.org/events.

On-Street Parking Rules in Effect  

Winter on-street parking rules are in effect through March 15. Parking on any public streets will be prohibited daily from 1 a.m.-8 a.m.  

To file a complaint about a winter on-street parking or sidewalk snow removal violation, residents can submit the complaint through Code Enforcement online, by phone at 616.698.6580 or in person at the Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. 

Tree Recycling Available Dec. 27-Jan. 31 

A tree recycle site will be offered from Dec. 27-Jan. 31 except Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, 16, when our offices will be closed for holidays. Residents may bring trees between 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. 

Please note, all decorations, lights, wires and other non-natural materials must be removed in advance. A box for string lights will be located near the front doors of the Public Works building. 

Snow Removal Reminders

When the snow starts to fly, we often receive questions about the clearing of sidewalks and streets. Our Department of Public Works prioritizes winter operations from highest-volume streets, such as 44th Street, 52nd Street and Kalamazoo Avenue, to lowest-volume roads, such as cul-de-sacs. We do our best to have all the roads cleared within 24 hours after the snow event has ended.

Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks in front of homes and businesses. Please remove all snow, ice and other obstructions more than two inches tall from the sidewalk in front of your home or business as well as from around fire hydrants within 24 hours after a snow event has ended. Community members whose residence is located at the end of a cul-de-sac street are exempt from clearing snow from sidewalks, as this space may need to be used for snow storage during a snow event. 

We appreciate your help in keeping our pathways clear for everyone. For more information about our winter maintenance efforts, visit kentwood.us/WinterMaintenance.

Courtesy House Checks for

Kentwood Residents

Did you know you can request Kentwood Police Department volunteers to check on your house while you’re away? Enjoy peace of mind while traveling by arranging a courtesy exterior home check. Simply complete our request form online at kentwood.us/CourtesyHouseCheck or in person at the Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. 

Bundle up for Our Winter Walk Dec. 14-28

Explore East Paris Nature Park, 5995 E. Paris Ave SE, and search for more than a dozen winter items hidden along the mile-long trail and boardwalk. A checklist of items will be found at the entrance of the park. Take a selfie with what you find and share it on Facebook with the tag #KentwoodWinterWalk or email your picture to eRecreation@Kentwood.us to be entered to win a prize.

Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber Annual Santa Parade Returns Dec. 10

The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual parade along Division Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 10. At 10 a.m., parade participants will march between 34th and Murray streets. For more information, visit the chamber’s website or Facebook page.

Holiday Closures - Dec. 23, 26 & 30, Jan. 2

Please be aware our offices will be closed Dec. 23, 26 and 30 and Jan. 2 for the holidays.