Friends of Grand Rapids Parks

08/21/2026

The event calendar for BioBlitz 2026 in Riverside Park just dropped!

Join us (and a bunch of science friends) on August 29 for a day filled with ecology and conservation activities, species identification, citizen science, and of course, community. 👩‍🔬

We hope you'll join us! Learn more and register: friendsofgrparks.org/bioblitz

Huge shout out to our event partners making a robust day of science in Riverside Park possible! Grand Valley State University, MSU Extension, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Encompass Socio-Ecological Consulting, GR Bug Club, John Ball Zoo, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds - Grand Valley Metro Council, Kent Conservation District, Grand Rapids Audubon Club, GR Outside, Giwewat Gteganek Gteganek, Calvin University, and members of Friends' very own Forestry Team!

08/19/2026

We’re so excited to host our first-ever BioBlitz at RIverside Park on August 29 and you’re invited!

🔍 See how many species of plants, animals, invertebrates, fish, and MORE we can identify in one day.
📝 The results will help scientists track conservation efforts in Riverside Park.
🧑‍🔬Over the course of the day, scientists from around west Michigan will facilitate different identification activities around Riverside Park! Activities are kid-friendly and open to everyone!
🤸 Our partners will also host activities at booths throughout the day, making BioBlitz a science-packed day with something for everyone.

Learn more and register: friendsofgrparks.org/bioblitz/

08/17/2026

Tree of Heaven is a menace, but it can be removed! If you want to learn how (and be one of Conservation’s Angels) come to a conservation crew workday or weekend workday and we’ll teach ya how!

https://friendsofgrparks.org/volunteer/

08/14/2026

WOW thank you to everyone who came out to learn how skate and build with us, Chris, GR Outside, and Sno Biz GR at Roberto Clemente Park yesterday!

Thanks to an INCREDIBLE anonymous donor, we were able to give away 50 skateboards and helmets to folks in the community for FREE. Plus, GR Outside’s gear library meant everyone had a helmet and a board for the night, even if they didn’t want or need to take one home.

Once again, we’re grateful for our community, our parks, and you. Thanks for being out here with us. We hope to see you rolling around Roberto Clemente soon. 🫶

08/11/2026

We’re psyched to be back at Roberto Clemente Park with our pal Chris Gray for another Skateboard Workshop! Learn to skate, make art, and learn about the incredible history of Clemente DIY.

Plus, if you make a donation during registration, we’ll say “thanks” with a SKATE poster that was ALSO designed by Chris! This is one of our favorite events of the summer so we hope to see you there!

A little about Chris: Since 2010, Chris has coordinated and helped plan skateparks in Grand Rapids, including leading the creation and construction of Clemente DIY, a community built skatepark in Roberto Clemente Park. Chris is a veteran Grand Rapids resident, design graduate of Kendall College, and Art Director at the local retail skate shop, Premier. In his free time he likes to skate with his two daughters, fish local lakes and streams, and walk or bike on our local trail systems.

friendsofgrparks.org/event/skateboarding-roberto-clemente-park/

08/11/2026

08/08/2026

Today’s the day! Come say hi to Liz, local celebrity Rosy Maple Moth balloon, and a bunch of our bug friends at Plaster Creek Family Park for INCREDIBLE INSECT EXTRAVAGANZA! We’ll be in the meadow til noon—hope to see you soon! 🦋

08/07/2026

Riverside Park update—the native plants Melanie planted with GRPS 8th Graders during the Grand Canoe experience are blooming. 😍 What was once turf grass is now a wetland. How wonderful it is to watch this space transform!

08/05/2026

Registration for Neighborwoods is OPEN!
We’ll be back in the Garfield Park neighborhood, planting 200 trees alongside our community, neighbors, and friends. If you want to join us, we recommend registering soon—spots typically fill up quick!

As usual, we’ll also have a community picnic, tree giveaway, and great vibes the whole weekend, so we hope you’ll join us!

The details ➡️ friendsofgrparks.org/neighborwoods/

08/04/2026

Don’t let us bug 🐞you but we don’t want today to butter-fly 🦋 by without mentioning that Saturday is Incredible Insect Extravaganza! 🐛

📍Plaster Creek Family Park
📅9am - 12pm

At this free event, you can be 🐝 sure to enjoy:
🌿 Free native plants (first come, first served!)
🎨 Make a free lino cut print: one per person, bring your own item of clothing or paper product to print on, or we’ll have paper!
💡 Learn about the habitat restoration that is happening at Plaster Creek Family Park
🐞 See, touch, learn about isopods
📸 Bug photo booth
🔎 Look at bugs under microscopes, both terrestrial and aquatic macroinvertebrates
🦋 Bug netting (nets provided)
✏️ Sidewalk chalk art

Plus! Meet local celebrity Rosy Maple Moth Balloon, as seen on a billboard on 131. She’s so excited to hang out with you all!
https://friendsofgrparks.org/event/iinsect-extravaganza-plaster-creek-family-park/