Reed Park: Connecting community through neighborhood parks
There are many ways to bring a community together. Planning improvements to a city park like Reed Street Park is one of the more fun ways to make it happen.
Edison Neighborhood
Named after a neighborhood school, the Edison Environmental Science Academy, a magnet elementary school, which was in turn, named after Thomas Edison, America’s best-known inventor, the Edison neighborhood is largely comprised of production, service and construction workers, people who have literally helped build and rebuild the city, as well as healthcare, office, and food service workers, people who take care of the city and its residents. And in the spirit of its namesake, Edison continues to invent itself, even when growth and revitalization have failed to deliver on hoped-for promises.With recent economic upturns both for the neighborhood and the city, as well as community and police efforts to lessen violent crime, the future looks bright. Edison is the first neighborhood being covered in the “On the Ground" series which amplifies the voices of Edison Neighborhood residents. Over three months, Second Wave journalists will be embedded in the Edison Neighborhood to explore topics of importance to residents, business owners, and other members of the community. The On the Ground program is made possible by funding from the City of Kalamazoo, LISC, the Fetzer Institute, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Michigan WORKS!, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.
Sounds of the neighborhood: Listen closely and you will hear the unexpected
Every neighborhood has its own distinct sounds and sounds it shares with every other neighborhood. All it takes is a willingness to listen to sort out which is which.
From boom to bust to boom: Washington Square makes an upturn
After frustrating delays, challenging economic times, and constant misperceptions, Washington Square is on the way back.
Customers travel from afar for Town & Country meat and more
Find out about the many ways the roots of Town & Country go deep into the Edison neighborhood. And why people from beyond Kalamazoo County shop there, too.
City and partners work on response plans as floods are expected to continue
February's flooding was severe, but it won't be the last time high waters will be seen in coming years.
Climate of fear spreads beyond Latinx neighborhood and community takes action in response
Who to contact if you want to support immigrants in Kalamazoo. Here are some organizations doing the work.
Increased deportation enforcement leaves many Edison families living in fear
Today, the chance of detainment and deportation is real for many undocumented immigrants. In Edison, that means some families live in fear of being separated.
Washington Writers’ Academy shows off its writing skills during Art Hop
Washington Writers' Academy shows off its artistic flair and opens doors for its first Art Hop event.
Spreading gravel on a hot day is a Building Blocks’ way of meeting the neighbors
Neighbors build friendships as they come together on improvement projects as part of the Building Blocks program.
How will Edison keep moving ahead? Neighborhood explores artistic answers
Artists find a place to call home in Edison and Edison calls on them for their ideas to lift the neighborhood.
