Spring Has Sprung In Michigan

Spring has finally arrived in Michigan.  After the drudgery that was this winter, there is no doubt that Michiganders are more than ready for some spring fun.  This season check out some of the following family activities.  

1.  Take an outdoor trip with the family to the Blandford Nature Center.  There is no better way to enjoy the excitement of spring than to be surrounded by the beauty that Michigan has to offer.  With 143 acres of land and wildlife, Blandford Nature Center offers numerous trails, wildlife exhibits, and the enjoyment of pure nature.  You can even bring the dogs (as long as they stay on a leash)

2.  Nothing signifies spring in Grand Rapids more than the annual Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens.  This yearly exhibition is the largest tropical butterfly display in the nation.  Guests can surround themselves with the tranquility of hundreds of butterflies from around the world.  The exhibition ends April 30, so there is still time to experience this fantastic treat. 

3.  The updated Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium in downtown Grand Rapids is now open!  All of the new shows in the planetarium will feature the latest projection technology and advanced surround sound for the ultimate stargazing experience.  With over $1 million in upgrades, the new shows are worth scheduling an outing for.  To access shows and prices, visit http://www.grmuseum.org/planetarium.

4.  Bring the kids down to John Ball Park Zoo, Saturday May 3 for Party for the Planet.  With over 20 participating organizations, this is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  Learn how to preserve the world’s resources through science experiments, demonstrations, and craft activities.  Great family fun for the spring!

5.  Yet another outdoor activity to soak up the natural Michigan beauty this spring is hiking Reed’s Lake Trail in East Grand Rapids.  The trail is a 4.2 mile hike that loops around Reed’s Lake.  It travels through wooded areas, wonderful views of the water, and wetlands.  The trail is extremely family friendly and accessible for bikes, joggers, and dog-walkers.  

These are just a few activities to do with the family this spring.  I assume I speak for many here in Grand Rapids when I say that the warmer weather is a welcome stranger.  Any activity that involves the natural beauty of Michigan should be top priority after the intensity of this winter.      

Watching a Film at Water's Edge: Movies in Ah-Nab-Awen Park

When I heard that the citizens of Grand Rapids would get to watch movies in Ah-Nab-Awen Park, I got excited. I was already elated about the uses that the green space outside of the Gerald R. Ford Museum had recently been apart of, namely the visit from New Belgium Brewing Company during its Clips Beer & Film Tour in June. I saw something during that early summer night that I hadn't witnessed yet downtown: a relaxed outdoor atmosphere with friends and families--families with kids in strollers to kids in braces--enjoying a beer in a part of the city that I always saw as underutilized.

And then, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. announced its Movies in the Park series. Apparently, the Downtown Development Authority approved $55,000 for the purchase of the necessary goods--projection equipment, an inflatable screen, and a trailer for transport--after a survey indicated that the people of GR wanted outdoor films. The first film screening was earlier this month--on August 2--when "The Princess Bride" was shown. Though I didn't go to the inaugural event, I'm sure it was successful, considering the turnout for the second film screening on August 16. I went to this one and though I wasn't there for the beginning or the end of the movie, I did get to experience one unexpected side effect of watching a movie in the park: viewers with skewed expectations.

It's one thing when you're watching "Back to the Future" in a movie theater (or some other movie, considering "Back to the Future" was originally in theaters during the 1980s) and you tell people around you to quiet down, but when you're in a public park at a viewing with hundreds of people in attendance, you should expect a little background noise. So, to the person who sat in front of me and made your hand look like it was talking and then proceeded to flip me and my friends the bird, we weren't nearly as disruptive as you were acting. If you wanted to hear better, you should have gotten there earlier to get a seat closer to the action--we were all the way in the back! And, though we were talking, I think you were the rude one. You didn't even have the courtesy to turn around when you showed your vulgar side--if you really want something to happen, you shouldn't have been so passive aggressive.

[Insert witty reference regarding 88 mph here] | Photo
courtesy of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

Besides that, the event seemed to be a victory for urbanites wanting to see some green space being used both efficiently and appropriately. I mean, there was a real DeLorean on the premises! I got to watch a movie outside with my friends! Hundreds of people showed up! Risking the judgment of our readership, I was both stunned and ready to take advantage of the fact that I could have a couple of beers in the park. What could be better than that? The next Movie in the Park is "Anchorman" on August 23 so mark your calendars: that's this Friday. So if you're interested in having a few drinks on public property while you enjoy a movie that most people find hilarious, keep the event in mind. And cross your fingers that you don't sit near someone who has inflated expectations about when and where movie courtesy is required.