John Ball Area Neighbors

06/13/2026

RendeZoo!!

06/12/2026

Shout out to Hippie Chippies our highlight community partner of the week for supporting Storytime in the Park and serving their yummy chips! They’ll be at Lincoln Park every Tuesday night of the summer as we distribute free books and ice cream to keep kids reading and avoiding the Summer Slide! Co-owner James was spreading the Chippie love!

06/11/2026

Special thanks to the team at Great Lakes Ford for volunteering at Storytime at the Park, helping children choose their FREE books and fend-off the Summer Slide! It’s happening every Tuesday night of the summer. More details at https://www.storytimegr.org

06/11/2026

Chatting with AliciaMarie Belchak for City Commission at Construction Simplified

06/11/2026

Vegetable plants available at West Grand Neighborhood Organization!

06/10/2026

Tonight's guest speakers include:

SAVE JOHN BALL PARK
Lindsey Perez-Plescher for GR Commission
Grand Rapids Police Department
Grand Rapids Fire Department

06/10/2026

A BIG West Side thank you to Tom at Nawara Brothers Home Store and West Fulton Business Association for donating a freezer to keep the ice cream cold that was donated by CountryFresh for Storytime Grand Rapids at Lincoln Park!!

06/03/2026

PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT

WEST NILE VIRUS DETECTED IN KENT COUNTY MOSQUITOES

The Kent County Health Department has confirmed the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquito samples collected in the 49504 and 49519 ZIP codes, marking the first detections of the 2026 season.

While most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms, some may experience fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, or rash. In rare cases, serious neurological complications can occur.

Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions to reduce their risk of mosquito bites:

• Apply insect repellent containing 10–35% DEET and follow label directions.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• Limit outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Eliminate standing water around homes and properties, including bird baths, buckets, flowerpots, pet bowls, tires, and other containers.
• Ensure window and door screens are in good repair.
• Keep gutters clean and free of debris that can collect water.

The detection of West Nile virus in the 49504 area highlights the importance of community-wide prevention efforts. Property owners, residents, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to work together to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and help protect public health.

For more information about West Nile virus and mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website or contact the Kent County Health Department.

Stay informed. Stay protected. Help keep our community safe.

06/02/2026

Have you registered yet for Lincoln Park? We have a giveaway for those that preregister. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/storytimegr/event/storytimegratlincolnpark/

Storytime in Lincoln Park begins NEXT WEEK, June 9th, from 6:30-8 PM!

Storytime in the Park- Garfield beings tonight! Don't get confused.

At the Lincoln Park location, we are there on Tuesday evenings when school is NOT in session. At Garfield, they are there every Tuesday in June, July, and August.

Whichever park you go to, we can't wait to see you! Join us for another year of reading all summer long!

05/29/2026

We are so excited to partner with FarmLink to be a pickup location! click the link to sign up! https://www.wmfarmlink.com/