NETech volunteers at MacKay Jaycee Park /Courtesy of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Join volunteers planting 30 trees in Riverside Park:
Thursday, October 17
Provided for you:
Bring your own:
Amway volunteers at Roosevelt Park /Courtesy of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Kellogg's employees at Lincoln Park /Courtesy of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
This past summer, Grand Rapids' breweries created and sold their own versions of a tree-inspired craft beer. All 18 breweries sold their tree-inspired beer in order to support the Grand Rapids Urban Forest Project and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks (FOGRP). They earned enough money for 80 trees to be planted, and on October 17, 30 of these trees will be planted at Riverside Park. These trees will form Brewers' Grove, a grove created to celebrate the collaboration and success of local breweries.
"Everyone's so excited about the beer industry right now, but this is a way we could give back to the city in a tangible way," says Barry VanDyke of Harmony Brewing Company.
"Initially it was just a party for them and a tree planting to get the grove established. Now it's kind of grown into something to celebrate beer city as well," says Kyle VanStrien with FOGRP. The event will begin with planting and end with an outdoor viewing of the Michigan Beer Film, created by Rhino Media. This will be the Grand Rapids premiere of a locally made film about the recent boom in Michigan craft beers. Although beer will not be sold at the event, people are welcome to bring their own.
"Just fill up your growlers and come on out," says VanDyke.
"We provide the tools, training and trees," says Kyle VanStrien. With these things provided, anyone can participate in this free celebration. With 30 trees to plant, 18 breweries to celebrate and an 80 ft movie screen- the more the merrier.
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