Community

We pride ourselves on being a walking community, and any day you'll see families out walking, biking, or running. Manhattan Park and John Collins Park are two frequented areas by our community, and you can grab a bite to eat in Gaslight Village, featuring several small local restaurants and shops. 

Learn more about the City of East Grand Rapids 

Learn more about the EGR KDL Public Library 

Hearts of Gold is a community fundraiser in East Grand Rapids where students, parents, educators, administrators and community members come together to raise funds and generate awareness for a local nonprofit organization.

Learn more about Hearts of Gold

 The KISD provides services to twenty local public districts and to all non-public schools within its boundaries. Directly or indirectly, Kent ISD serves almost 400 schools, more than 120,000 students and 7,000 educators.

Our students are served by KISD at all levels from our youngest learners, to our special education population, to our high schoolers who choose to enroll in KCTC. 

Learn more about Kent ISD

Jimmy Gerken was an East resident and then staff member with special needs. He was also a friend to just about everyone he ever met. If you attended an East event any time in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s, you probably saw Jimmy. And if you were really lucky, you got to know him. One of Jimmy’s most famous quotes is his response to someone who was bullying him about his special needs:  “That’s okay," Jimmy said. "I’ll still be your friend.” 

Jimmy passed away in 2002 at age 52. 

Jimmy Gerken’s legacy continues to be celebrated throughout East Grand Rapids. Every year, the high school’s Kabookie Week reminds students of his message of friendship. Gerken Plaza, the area at the north end of Memorial Field that was named in Jimmy’s honor, features a statue of Jimmy Gerken sitting on a bench and giving a friendly wave. 

In 2024, the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation created this video to inform a new generation of students about Jimmy Gerken’s life and legacy. 

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. SNN specializes in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Learn more about School News Network