Kent County Parks Foundation
P.O. Box 230165
Grand Rapids, MI 49523
(616) 458-2080
info@kentcountyparksfoundation.org
|
|
Doggie Dash | Riverside Raconteurs | Pitch
In and Help! | Volunteer
Feature: Sandy Stowe
 11th Annual Bailey's Doggie Dash
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Bailey’s Doggie Dash is entering its eleventh year! This year’s
race will again be held at Wabasis Park and will start at 9:00am. This
is a 5K (3.1 mile) Run/Walk for owners and their dogs. All proceeds
benefit
the Kent County Parks Foundation.
The top three finishers in each age group will receive an engraved dog dish and trophy. The top male and female finishers (both overall and masters) will also receive an engraved dog dish and trophy. All registrants will receive a t-shirt.
Registration Form PDF
Sponsorship Descriptions PDF
Sponsorship Form PDF
Photo Album
Riverside Raconteurs - Storytelling Bonfires
A summertime tradition in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1999
(
formerly: “Bard’s
Bonfires”)
 The
Story Spinners of Grand Rapids and Kent County Parks Department continue
their collaboration this year for a series of Riverside Raconteurs Storytelling
Bonfires open to the public at Lamoreaux Park, on the 4th Friday
evenings
of June, July and August 2010. Individuals and families are invited
to spread a blanket under twilight skies and to participate, as tellers of
tales, or
listeners of lore.
Date: The 4th Fridays of summer - June 25, July 23, and August
27, 2010
Time: 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Musical guests for 2010:
Jim Spalink - on Bardic Harp (June 25, 2010)
Hans Martin Werner - Artistic Whistler (July 23, 2010)
Cindy Rodriguez - Oboist (August 27, 2010)
Countdown to the June 25, 2010 Bonfire!
Place: Lamoreaux
Park, on the West side of Coit Ave. NW
Contact: Tom Good - 616-451-1958
The July bonfire will feature our annual Nash-off! Ogden Nash
was an American poet who was famous for his short, whimsical poems
like...
“Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker ” and “The cow is of the bovine
ilk; One end is moo, the other, milk.”
Memorize a few, and you can contribute to our rapid-fire round robin to see how many Ogden Nash poems we can do in a row.
Pitch In & Help Improve Our County Parks & Trails!
If you’d like to have fun while making a lasting difference, we invite you to join our team
and volunteer for the Kent County Parks Department. With opportunities available at more than
30 parks, we have projects for individuals and groups of all sizes. Whatever your interests, you
too can help our community protect and improve our valuable green spaces.
During 2009 volunteers contributed their time and talents through photography, planting monarch
butterfly habitats, identifying and removing invasive species, cleaning up parks and trails, building
and maintaining trails, painting, gardening, teaching, and much more!
Next year’s volunteer opportunities include:
- A “Spring Clean” event that will take place from April 17-24 in honor of Earth Day.
Volunteers will help to rake, clear trails, remove invasive plant species, and help get our
county parks ready for spring and summer enjoyment! Reserve your place today for this fun
Spring activity that is perfect for all ages!
- Ongoing opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved in special projects tailored to
the time and talents of the volunteers! Projects range from one-time contributions to long-term
volunteer placements.
- The Kent County Parks “Adopt-A-Park” Program will also launch in 2010. Organizations and businesses
will have the opportunity to designate a park to make ongoing and lasting contributions for the benefit
of the public and our beautiful Michigan environment.
To volunteer or for more information contact coordinator Andrea Dunne-Sosa at Volunteer Services,
Kent County Parks Department. Tel (616) 336-3884 or email:
park.volunteers@kentcountymi.gov.
| Return to Top of Page |
Bailey’s Doggie Dash Top Dogs Win Pillows Made With Love
Volunteer Feature - Sandy Stow With Her Dog Pillows
|
Q: How did you get involved with the Doggie Dash?
Sandy: My son, husband and I are big into sports. One time while in The Runnery
I came across a “Bailey’s Doggie Dash” flyer. I thought
I would try the race out. My husband and I were both runners then, we also
had a dog named Taz – he ran as well. Taz and I went on to win 1st
prize in my Womens age group during 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Q: What is it about volunteering that you enjoy?
Sandy: I love giving things to people, I also love giving things to animals.
Q: Do you make all the pillows, or is this a family project?
Sandy: I make all of the pillows myself. I hand-sew and stuff them. One year
I crocheted cloth rugs, another I made dog toys out of stuffed socks tied
into knots. I think people appreciate the pillows the most.
Q: How long have you volunteered with Bailey’s Doggie Dash?
Sandy: I have been making pillows for about 5 years. I make four per year,
occasionally I make an extra that is raffled off. Pillows are awarded to
the mens and womens overall and masters winners.
Q: What is the feedback from dog owners about your pillows?
Sandy: People compliment me about how nice they are. One man asked me to autograph
his pillow, so I did.
Q: Have a fun story to share about running in the Doggie Dash?
Sandy: During one of the races I ran in, I spotted a Grand Rapids Press cameraman
at the top of the last hill near the finish. As we approached him I stopped
so he could get a picture of Taz and I. He called out to me to “keep
running!”
Return to Top of Page |
|
|
|
