Tag Archives: Lamar Park

Partial lineup for the Wyoming Concerts in the Parks released

Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Kalamazoo's Big Boss Blues makes its first Concerts in the Park appearance this year.
Kalamazoo’s Big Boss Blues makes its first Concerts in the Park appearance this year.

After that brief encounter of chilly weather this past week, about everyone’s thoughts have turned to warmer weather. Well here’s something to warm you up: there is only 105 days before Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park returns to Lamar Park.

 

O.K., so it is a little more than three months, but to put together a 10-week concert series, the planning has to start almost when the last series ended. The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, which oversees the series, has been hard at work, lining up the performers for the 2016 Concerts in the Park and even have begun releasing a few teasers as to who is coming on the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.

 

“We like to say that we are continuing the tradition of good entertainment at Lamar Park,” said Brandon Simmons, who is on the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission. Simmons is referring to Lamar Park’s history of hosting the rodeo at Fort Wyoming which was located at Lamar Park. The site also was host to numerous concerts featuring Bob Hope, The Oakridge Boys, Crystal Gale, and Huey Lewis & the News.

 

The Concerts in the Park series has done well attracting some of the most popular regional stars with this year’s line-up including the very popular folk/rock band The Crane Wives, Kalamazoo’s Big Boss Blues, Grand Rapids honky tonk group Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys, rock ‘n’ roll group Foolish Plezyer, country group Kari Lynch Band, Tejano/Mexican/Conjunto music group Grupo Viento and The Legal Immigrants.

 

According to Simmons, more than 10,000 people were in attendance to last year’s fireworks show, always the Tuesday before July 4. This year’s fireworks will be on June 28 and feature two bands, one of which is Foolish Plezyer.

 

A total of 11 groups will perform over the 10 weeks. Simmons said the complete lineup should be available in March and that there is some big news to this year’s concert series, so make sure to be checking the series’ Facebook page and WKTV’s Wyoming/Kentwood NOW.

 

Also, the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission hosts the Music & More August event designed to give residents a last summer hurrah with three concerts, food dancing games and activities all in one night. For more on the August event, click here to visit its Facebook page.

 

Concerts in the Park is free. Lamar Park is located at 2561 Porter St. SW.

Pinery and Lamar Parks Get More Picnic Areas, Upgrades

Our Cities, Recreation, , , , , , , ,

By Victoria Mullen

 

Good picnic places are in high demand. Just ask anyone who’s tried to reserve a space at Pinery Park (2301 DeHoop Ave.) and Lamar Park (2561 Porter St.) only to be told that all spaces were booked. Over the past two years, reservations for weekend hours sold out for June, July and August, the prime months for birthday parties, company picnics, family reunions and special events. In fact, the parks are already taking reservations for this season, which runs May 1 through Sept. 30.lamar-park-and-splashpad-

 

Wyoming Community Services recognized the need for more space and has delivered. Pinery has received one new picnic area and Lamar has received two. The cost was less than $1,000.

 

At Pinery, park-goers will now find two areas that seat up to 50 people, one for up to 125 and one section for up to 150 people. There’s also a lodge that seats up to 100 people. At Lamar, there are now two sections that accommodate up to 50 people, two that seat 100 and one that seats 175, along with a shelter for up to 75 people.

 

Overall, Wyoming’s Park Services had an impressive 2015 with 11,077 hours reserved and reported reservations attendance of 170,671 people.

There’s even more in store for Pinery Park.

 

Fitness trail exercise equipment and new lighting for the lodge are coming to Pinery, too.

 

The Wyoming City CounflowersbyPinerysign2010_001cil recently approved the purchase and installation of exercise equipment from GameTime for $26,855.09. The funding will come from a Community Development Block Grant.

 

“This equipment provides a great opportunity for residents who are looking to improve their health and wellness,” said Rebecca L. Rynbrandt, director of community services. “And Pinery Park’s central location means good access for those who want to use the equipment for exercise.”

 

In addition to the exercise equipment at the park, new energy-efficient LED lights at the lodge will replace old fluorescent fixtures. The project, which includes removal of the old lights and installing the new ones, totals $4,215, said Jeffrey Anderson, parks and facilities supervisor. Funding for this work is also from a Community Development Block Grant.

 

The new lighting will save on energy and maintenance costs, Anderson said.

 

Both projects are expected to be completed May 31, 2016.

 

For more information, call the City of Wyoming at 530.7272 or visit the City website. Follow the City on Twitter @WyomingCityHall and on Facebook.

12th Annual Pumpkin Path on the Horizon

Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local Food, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events,

Pumpkin PathThe changing leaves and cool wind can only mean one thing; it is time for the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department´s annual free Pumpkin Path event for kids and families.
Pumpkin Path will be held on Oct. 10 at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. This year the event will be held from the spooky hours of 4-6 p.m. Local businesses, clubs and organizations will haunt spaces along the path and will hand out candy, coupons and other goodies.

“The Pumpkin Path was developed as a safe family focused celebration for the fall, providing an alternative to traditional Halloween events,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services for the City of Wyoming.  “Pumpkin Path gives families the perfect opportunity to interact with neighborhood businesses while enjoying the outdoors, Lamar Park and the beauty of the fall season.”

While attendees may come for the treats, they should make sure to save time to get a temporary tattoo, jump in the bounce house and play life sized games. Participants are welcome to come in costume or come as they are.

At the 2014 Pumpkin Path event, 70 local businesses and organizations served approximately 5,000 children and parents.

Wyoming Now-Kentwood Now citizen Journalist Douglas Broek visited last year and had a blast!