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Happy Halloween!
Grand Rapids Trick-or-Treat hours are from 6pm - 8pm. If you intend to hand out candy be sure to leave your porch light on.
If you are shepherding trick-or-treaters please go house to house on one side of the street at a time and, especially after dark, only cross streets at intersections.
The City of Grand Rapids has more information related to trick-or-treat and safety at their website.
It is the holiday season, and one thing that means is yard decorations. Is there a particularly bedecked home on your block?
If so let us know? Send the address and a photo to us at hpnagr@gmail.com and HPNA will send them a thank you card on your behalf.
With Solarize GR you can up to 15% off on solar installations. For this round of discounts you need to request a quote by October 20th. By requesting your solar system quote you will have a automatic discount of 5%
More information can be found @ https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/SolarizeGR
Have a mattress you need to get rid of? There will be a mattress drop off site on October 24th (noon - 3pm) at Richmond park.
Grand Rapids residents can use the drop-off to dispose of up to four (4) mattresses, box springs, and foam bed toppers.
More information can be found @ https://events.grandrapidsmi.gov/default/detail/2026-10-24-1200-Mattress-Recycling-Event
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and Friends of Highland Park will be planting trees and giving away trees on October 17th (Saturday).
Join the team for a tree planting volunteer workday! During this volunteer shift, you’ll be planting trees, which will involve using tools like shovels, box cutters, and rakes. Tools, gloves, and instruction will be provided and everyone is welcome. No previous tree-planting or landscaping experience is required!
Giveaway tree species:
Dawn Redwood
Shingle Oak
Swamp White Oak
Sycamore
Serviceberry
American Hornbeam
Assorted fruit trees
RSVP @ https://friendsofgrparks.org/event/tree-planting-morning-101726/
October 17th (2026) 10am - noon @ Highland Park
When: 2026-10-14, 6:30pm
Where: Emerald Flats 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)
Minutes 2026-09-09: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jA6Qp4_e5RX8ihQwZFs_Cvd5Uvdy70oxeMMtn40KCbI/edit?usp=drive_link
Agenda 2026-10-14: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wm_iv_wpmBjXD6gwaKb-iiEkygiCCYnwaVp_N4Yzhqg/edit?usp=drive_link
Ward#2 City Commission candidate Lisa Knight will be a guest at this month’s board meeting.
Board schedule, minutes, and agendas are always available at /board.
The next board meeting will be held at this location will be the association’s annual meeting on 2026-11-11
Composed by board member Russ Malek
Terra Ferma
Found in the Grand River Valley with rolling hills.
A workout for bickers and runners.
Lookout to the GR city scape from St. Isidore hill.
A highway at its southern boundary.
Flora
A hill in the spring covered with blue Glory of the Snow flowers.
The neighborhood dotted with daffodils and tulips.
With old trees dotting the lanes.
Fauna
A small group of city Deer walk the sidewalks.
A flock of Turkeys wander thru the streets and backways.
Many birdfeeders in the back yards attract many birds.
A full circle moment by a Beaver in our creek.
The founder of GR was a trapper.
Heritage
Early Polish immigrants form St. Isidore’s Parish.
Polish Halls nearby to celebrate.
An integrated neighborhood
¹st generation Polish and Dutch.
Parks
Would you believe what happens in Highland Park?
A climbing wall, disc golf and sport field.
In the summer the North American Bike Polo tournament.
Some of the best rinks in the country.
Yes!! In GR Michigan and Highland Park.
When: 2026-09-09, 6:30pm
Where: Emerald Flats 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)
Minutes 2026-07-08: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FnUk62ArEiZ75SQUkctDiofT4wQqwI8-QyQYEO2Ay9I/
Agenda 2026-09-09: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wHMZJVsPa6qX04H7-273mWwmCkK7nx4KNU3thjamvos/
Ward#2 City Commission candidate Bryan Cody will be a guest at this month’s board meeting.
Board schedule, minutes, and agendas are always available at /board.
The next board meeting will be held at this location will be the association’s annual meeting on 2026-10-14.
On Saturday, September 12th from 9-11am, there will be a volunteer event to help transform a section of Eastern Park (758 Eastern Ave NE) in Grand Rapids from an unused patch of grass into an awesome usable community space.
This is a project that is part of NAR's Placemaking Program, GRAR (Greater Regional Alliance of Realtors) is facilitating an update to the space with help from our friends at the City of Grand Rapids Parks and Rec, Friends of GR Parks, ICCF, and the Highland Park Neighborhood Association.
We are looking to recruit a group of volunteers to help with creating this space. All are welcome to join and help - GRAR members, friends, family, and colleagues! Click HERE to sign up or feel free to reach out to ME (Scott Rider) if you need help signing up. Come do some good and help us create a space that will serve our community for years to come!
The park will be adding:
Hammock grove
Trees
Pollinator plants
Mulch
Artwork
Our volunteer group will be tasked with spreading mulch, planting pollinator bushes and trees, and adding edging to pathways. Site prep will be completed prior to our event by the City of GR Parks and Rec Department. All tools, gloves, and park materials will be provided, as well as water and snacks provided by Friends of GR Parks - we just need YOU! Please make sure to wear closed-toed shoes as well as comfortable clothing you don't mind getting dirty, and bring any sunscreen if needed. Feel free to bring your own gloves or tools as well if you prefer.
The goal is to turn this rectangle of grass into a beautiful space to welcome the community and add to the awesome parks system that we are lucky to have here in the city of Grand Rapids:
When: September 26th, 8:00am - noon
Location: 628 Diamond Ave NE (north end of lower parking lot)
St. Isidore Catholic Church will be hosting multiple concurrent events on this day, so we all need to be good neighbors. Dumpster Day will be keeping to the north end of the lower parking lot. We ask that people not queue in the parking lot, and also to not block Diamond Ave. If there is significant traffic please approach via Housman & Flat and queue on the side streets until there is space to enter the parking lot adjacent to the dumpsters.
There will NOT be metal recycling dumpster this year.
OASIS will be present collecting returnable cans.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Any time you can help out between 8:00am and noon is appreciated. If you have any questions contact hpnagr@gmail.com.
DO NOT bring appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, etc…) which contain freon and have not been properly drained.
DO NOT bring hazardous materials such as tires, oil, paint, ashes, or fuel.
DO NOT bring large appliances.
DO NOT bring cathode ray tube TVs.
Only residents of Highland Park are permitted to use our Dumpster Day; please be prepared to show identification.
Please be prepared to unload your own waste. We will have volunteers available to assist, but volunteers need to assist everyone.
Remember that free yard waste drop off is available to all city residents Monday - Saturday 7:30am - 4:30pm at the Butterworth drop off site (2001 Butterworth St SW).
In 2026 the Highland Park Neighborhood Association board will have one opening; with five expiring terms. The nomination period is still open.
Currently vacant board seats can be filled by the current board; nominations for these seats can be made by any current board member.
Expiring board terms will be chosen by election at the Highland Park Neighborhood Association at the Annual Meeting on October 14th, 2026. Following the election of the new board the board will appoint officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary).
Board nominations can be made by any board member or association members may nominate themselves. Nominations close at the September board meeting (2026-09-09).
Nominations can be sent to any of the organizations contact methods (e-mail, postal, or text).
At this month’s board meeting we will be hosting two guests: the Grand Rapids Office of Sustainability.
If you have any questions for either please let us know - hpnagr@gmail.com - and we will forward them on so they can have the most complete possible answers.
When: 2026-07-08, 6:30pm
Where: Emerald Flats 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)
Minutes 2026-05-13: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cH5VB7_chMWnIwrJkSgLr_F2_s93woXxXcV8LnNsdJY/edit?usp=drive_link
Agenda 2026-07-08: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12J12-fk_LQ9TE_U7nZJD5sbghckfX_8YEOs2E3WaLs4/edit?usp=drive_link
Board schedule, minutes, and agendas are always available at /board.
After plenty of conversation, planning and redesigning, Disc Golf is back at Highland Park!
The new course features new baskets, tee boxes, signage and a fully re-imagined design to best incorporate the course in with the general use of the park.
Decisions made sacrificed quantity for quality as the new design has moved to a more functional 9 hole course that is also safer and more accessible.
As the park has become increasingly more popular over the years, finding common ground for all to enjoy the space takes more consideration.
Some of the best features of this park are the natural aspects while being so close to the center of the city. The animals (deer/turkeys), the trees, the creek and even the bugs all take safe harbor here.
Please come and enjoy this new course and please keep our park beautiful, clean and safe for all. We are very thankful and proud of this park.
Thank you to Grand Rapids Parks Department for their hard work in coordination, Great Lakes Disc for their generous donations and planning, as well at all of the neighbors that voiced their concerns and support.
Call for volunteers!
WHEN: Tuesday 6/23 anytime from 9am -11am.
WHERE: Highland Park Entrance on Lydia
WHAT: The goal is to increase the visibility, safety and function of this entrance to the park. Volunteers will help clear light underbrush, weeds and small branches that restrict access. IF we have wood chips delivered, we plan to start laying a path that will lead towards the park's green space.
If you are interested please sign up so we can HERE so we can plan accordingly. We will have tools and gloves, but please wear closed toed shoes and outdoor work attire. We will have some bottled water and lite snacks for this event.
For anyone who is a contact point for a group, if you could please push this to anyone else who may be interested in volunteering
Future dates:
July 10 Pollinator Beautification
Fall TBD Tree Planting
At this month’s board meeting we will be hosting two guests: the Grand Rapids Planning Department and the Grand Rapids Food Co-Op.
If you have any questions for either please let us know - hpnagr@gmail.com - and we will forward them on so they can have the most complete possible answers.
When: 2026-05-13, 6:30pm
Where: Emerald Flats 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)
Minutes 2026-03-11: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQDdiJvsusATDsuUTEx7DMl89gel9iw7E7m0WRks3mn2iVgMgr3qj1ge75nltJE61jH6K5MJXXrvB_O/pub
Agenda 2026-05-13: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTZWUqIRWRmw5m1Y6hu7syT6GxkLdXThpRp87OrTu_U5ZA_kb-k1LC3q3iDdxe3duAvhgMuFBGhpBUU/pub
Board schedule, minutes, and agendas are always available at /board.
When: 2026-01-13, 6:30pm
Where: Emerald Flats 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)
Minutes 2025-10-14: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vT1N0oZWnubfMln2QWiIEaiPaaUQpmrWBuTvX6o7B40_t6RiAfwX1tI5I2Fpi79qBwbt8MVXNxsn6vO/pub
Agenda 2026-01-13: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTwhaC3L2k8EjooSUgURd7wvz-UUThnVqoEv2C2tIhuMP600b76ann54CNxJID3jSFiLB0IP_F0Z_Bz/pub
Board schedule, minutes, and agendas are always available at /board.
THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED
When: 2025-12-09, 6:30pm
Where: Emerald Flats 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)
Minutes 2025-10-14: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vT1N0oZWnubfMln2QWiIEaiPaaUQpmrWBuTvX6o7B40_t6RiAfwX1tI5I2Fpi79qBwbt8MVXNxsn6vO/pub
Agenda 2025-12-09: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTxjVg1z_qnFTV6BPpYqAcZ_6XE66OUxF7RcKnvXL1-hS_LlmRkkOhaR0UbTbzEThi93w-1h9eS9HIL/pub
Board schedule, minutes, and agendas are always available at /board.
The next board meeting will be held at this location on January 13th, 2026
When: 2025-09-09, 6:30pm
Where: Emerald Flats 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)
Minutes 2025-08-12: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS17uh7IV4cegfUWekUaXyo4qORSFx4W6oGpvnKFAy6vM0sj7NN4FDjzfxby1WAfYCc36QIJ2bGysbA/pub
Agenda 2025-09-09: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSqb1X82DHL8t9rILJq0kkH4v7zvLYY_0dixN3nXGB2L1QEj8m3uUK7rGPOQhCdKVTTvqIU_YxID4wF/pub
Board schedule, minutes, and agendas are always available at /board.
This is the last meeting to submit nominations for the 2025 - 2026 board.
When: September 13th, 8:00am - noon
Location: 628 Diamond Ave NE (north end of lower parking lot)
St. Isidore Catholic Church will be hosting multiple concurrent events on this day, so we all need to be good neighbors. Dumpster Day will be keeping to the north end of the lower parking lot. We ask that people not queue in the parking lot, and also to not block Diamond Ave. If there is significant traffic please approach via Housman & Flat and queue on the side streets until there is space to enter the parking lot adjacent to the dumpsters.
There will NOT be metal recycling dumpster this year.
OASIS will be present collecting returnable cans.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Any time you can help out between 8:00am and noon is appreciated. If you have any questions contact hpnagr@gmail.com.
DO NOT bring appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, etc…) which contain freon and have not been properly drained.
DO NOT bring hazardous materials such as tires, oil, paint, ashes, or fuel.
DO NOT bring large appliances.
DO NOT bring cathode ray tube TVs.
Only residents of Highland Park are permitted to use our Dumpster Day; please be prepared to show identification.
Please be prepared to unload your own waste. We will have volunteers available to assist, but volunteers need to assist everyone.
Remember that free yard waste drop off is available to all city residents Monday - Saturday 7:30am - 4:30pm at the Butterworth drop off site (2001 Butterworth St SW).
When: Sept. 11th, ~5:30pm
Where: 720 Eastern Ave NE
What: A tour of the new Phius Zero house constructed at 720 Eastern Ave NE. Some food will be provided.
The Highland Park Phius Zero house is a project by MI Net Zero. You can find at four minute introduction to the concept of Passive house here.
The home in question is a three bedroom 2 bath house with dedicated office space. Solar panels on the roof generate enough power annually for the home and to charge two electric vehicles.
The property has acquired the following certifications:
Phius Zero
DOE ZERH
GreenStar Platinum
Energy Star
EPA Indoor airPLUS
EPA WaterSense
T MINUS ONE WEEK - Ready for a great day?
Grab your crew and head down to Highland Park for an afternoon of food, music, art and sport
LIVE MUSIC from Valentiger, Liv Bouchie, and Izzy Saylor
VENDORS including Old Growth Creative, Sleep Good Play Hard, Switchback Gear Exchange, Great Lakes Disc, RAMRUSS, Friends of GR Parks, and more
GRUB from The Angry Chicken food truck and Balls Dogs hot dog cart
FREE PORTRAITS in the Pollinator Garden from Sean Gabrielli
FREE POPSICLES at the HPNA table courtesy of Life Cycle Property Management
GR BIKE POLO hosting a national tournament
GR CLIMB CLUB hosting a morning climbing competition at the GR Boulder Park
- and YOU making our neighborhood a fantastic place to live, work and play