RESERVE A PARK BENCH IN PEACE, BURTON PARKS

Residents are now able to purchase a park bench to be placed in various locations in both Peace Park (Bolt & Grand River area) and Burton Park (Burton & Cascade area).  The six-foot long benches will be placed in the next few months and will have a name-plate attached to them letting visitiors know who the bench honors.  A picture of the bench will be added to this blog sooon.  The cost for a bench (with marker) is $500.00.

If you are interested, please call the Township Office (949-1500) to make your reservation.  The first benches should arrive in Mid July.

Grand Rapids Water Quality Report

The Grand Rapids Water Quality Report is now available for viewing on our website!  The 2010 Report (DEQ always put it out the next June) indicates that Grand Rapids water (that you drink if connected to the municipal water system in Cascade) is devoid of contaminants!  The water is tested daily at the plant (way more often than I tested my well when I had one!), and is treated constantly to be sure our water is of a high quality.  Two tests for chemicals that stood out when I read the report were the Flouride and Lead levels in our water.  You may be aware that Grand Rapids adds Flouride to the water to promote strong teeth.  The level is less than 1/2 of the maximum allowed.  The Lead level is at 4 parts per billion; 15 is the maximum allowed.  This maximum may be decreased in the near future.  I'v heard it cold go as low as 3 ppb.  Grand Rapids is ready with a plan if it is found that they need to remove more Lead from the water.

Overall, our water is very safe!!!  Drink up!

ONE KENT

The One Kent Study Committee has meet twice without making much progress.  It appears that the 21 people  on the committee received different marching orders from the three people that set up the committee (Mr. Deems - One Kent; Mayor Heartwell - City of Grand Rapids; Commission Chair Parrish - Kent County).  They are expected to be at the next meeting (June 29th) to resolve thse issues so the committee cna get down to discussing the best ways for the County and City (and others) to best work together in the future.  Stay tuned!

HOT & DUSTY!!!!

The gravel roads in Cascade Township will be treated for dust on Friday, June 10th.  If there are any questions about this process, please call the Township Office at 949-1500.

Memorial Day, 2011

There will be a Memorial Day Program next Monday at the Cascade Branch of the Kent District Library. The program will start at 10am at the flag pole in front of the library, if the weather permits.  If the weather is wet, the event will be held in the Wisner Center which is attached to the library.

The speaker this year is Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Melvin A. Bauman.  LTC Bauman  has a long military history, having begun his career in 1965 with the United States Army.  He currently has the title of Reserve Army Ambassador, working out of the U. S. Army Reserve Center in Walker.

 The Third Michigan Infantry, Company F Reinactors (Civil War) will be on hand to handle the salute to the fallen military personnel.

The Forest Hills Central High school Jazz Band will provide music for the event.

The program is put on annually by the Cascade American Legion, McDonald-Osmer Post #451 and the Cascade Fire Department.

Bussing Options

Kent County is in the process of winding up a study of the future of bussing and bus service in the Greater Grand Rapids, area.  Public presentations of the transit needs assessment study will be made at various locations in the county during the week of May 23rd.  They are:

May 23rd - 6:30 p.m. - MDOT Grand Rapids Offices (Leonard & I-96).
May 24th - 6:30 p.m. - Lowell City Hall.
May 25th - 2:00 p.m. - Cedar Springs City Hall
May 25th - 6:30 p.m. - Gaines Township Hall
May 26th - 9:30 a.m. - Hope Network Offices, 755 - 36th St.
May 26th - 6:30 p.m. - Plainfield Township Hall

The study will be presented to the Grand Valley Metro Council Board on June 2nd, then go the the County Board shortly thereafter.  The final, written study will be published in July.

Hope you can attend one of the presentations!

Garlic Mustard

There is a Garlic Mustard pull scheduled for this Saturday, May 14th from 10am to Noon at the Cascade Peace Park.  Meet at the Grand River entrance to the park at10am.  What is Garlic Mustard?  Here is the definition from the Mighigan State University Extension Website:
     Garlic mustard is an exotic invasive plant from Europe that invades woodland habitats in North America and impacts forest biodiversity. In some woodlands, dense stands of garlic mustard in the spring threaten showy spring blooming ephemerals like spring beauty, trilliums and trout lilies. Other research points toward potentially negative impacts on timber species and forest health. Many land managers consider it to be one of the most potentially harmful and difficult to control invasive plants in the region.

If someone will volunteer to be the 'team-leader', there is an opportunity to remove Garlic Mustard from the Burton Park.  I heard from Mr. & Mrs. Kramer (neighbors to the park) today; they filled four garbage bags with Garlic Mustard from Burton Park today.  but there is more there.  Any takers?  Call me (949-1500) to set up a pull.

Thanks!!!