10th St. Gardens – We are happy to have growing garden boxes and harvested produce in the neighborhood, and want to extend a special thanks to Hope Church and Third Reformed Church for their space and volunteers to make this happen for this past growing season. As a result, neighbors who would have otherwise had very little occasion to meet have found themselves sharing a meal at the garden space this summer!
Ice Cream Giveaways – Started as a follow-up to National Night Out, this fun event continued when neighbors volunteered to host their own, closer to their homes. Hudsonville Ice Cream donates the ice cream that gets mixed when machines start a new flavor. So, with a stack of cones, a few flyers, and some enthusiastic children spreading the word, WSN has found a sweet new past time.
Neighborhood Improvements – If you noticed paint and cones on Van Raalte close to Kollen Park marking potential “bump-outs” to change traffic patterns, then you’re witnessing the fruit of neighborhood organizing and neighbors speaking up. Two years ago neighbors brought a proposal for safer pedestrian crossing to Kollen Park, and the City of Holland has responded. Offer your encouragement or bring your questions to Joel Dye: j.dye@cityofholland.com — it makes a difference!
–Andrew Spidahl & Janelle Lopez-Koolhaas, Neighborhood Connectors