Eastgate neighborhood comes together for August community activities

With tree- lined streets and a block-wide community garden, the Eastgate neighborhood is buzzing with activity this summer. August is shaping up to be an especially busy time with the popular Dumper Days happening August 9th at Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church and the community Pig Roast at Beacon Hill at Eastgate on August 14th.

Nestled next to East Grand Rapids, near the Ottawa Hills and Mulick Park regions of Grand Rapids, this bedroom community of families and professionals has allot to love and is brimming with vibrancy. The Eastgate Neighborhood Association (ENA) works hard to create and maintain open dialog and fun, family-friendly events for neighbors to participate in. I eavesdropped in on the ENA's recent board meeting to learn more about how plans are shaping up for the summer's biggest events.

August 9 is Dumpster Day: Cart, pull or drag your junk over to Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church where they will open up their dumpster for you to trash it, free of charge (see list of allowable items as well as prohibited hazardous waste at the ENA website). August 13th is Kids Night Out, where kids can go crazy during a fun-filled night focused around them. Save your appitite for the annual Pig Roast at Beacon Hill at Eastgate taking place Thursday August 14. Then coast over to Eastminster Church for the Hot Dog/Bike Repair day on Saturday August 16. And don’t forget Zumba classes! You can shimmy and shake your way to a better bod by joining the weekly Monday night Zumba classes at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. It’s free and starts at 7pm.

The Eastgate neighborhood will soon have a  few more neighbors as nearby Breton Village Mall expands to include several retail stores including Lu-Lulemon Athletica and Hot Mama. Also the retirement facility Beacon Hill at Eastgate is expanding as it has reached capacity. Formally Michigan Christian Home, this a long time pillar in the community, contributes to the vitality of the neighborhood with its presence. After all the yummy food Beacon Hill at Easgate serves up at the Pig Roast, they will host the neighborhood Eastgate 5k to help everyone stay healthy and active.

As if there isn't enough to do, If you are a neighbor of the Eastgate community and wish to host a neighborhood block party, the association will even reimburse you for up to $75! Simply apply for a permit through the city to host the block party and submit your receipts to the Eastgate Neighborhood Association (Contact the ENA for additional details).

Originally part of the ‘Paris Township’ in Kent County, the Eastgate neighborhood bordered the boundaries of  Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids. With farms dotting the landscape, it remained largely rural into the late 1950’s. In the early 1960’s the cities of Grand Rapids and Kentwood annexed the remaining areas of ‘Paris Township’, and the Eastgate Neighborhood was formed as part of the city Grand Rapids. The community flourished with a variety of homes, churches, and winding streets after World War II. The changes that this community has undergone is visible in the vast architectural variety in the neighborhood. Houses continued to be built and remodeled, with a mix of original farmhouses, “saltboxes,” mid-century modern houses, and contemporary houses of today scattered throughout.

Learn more about your Eastgate community by joining the Eastgate Neighborhood Association. Volunteers are always needed for events as well and will prove to be a great way to meet the people living in your area. Learn how you can get involved by going to the ENA website. 

*Please note that address verification may be required to participate in some neighborhood events.