Friends of Burton Community Park Town Hall Meeting is Tonight

Residents are invited to learn about efforts to replace the play structure at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Huntington Woods Recreation Center.

Men's Club Commits $65,000 to Burton Community Park Project

The Huntington Woods service organization selects the playground overhaul as the beneficiary of its annual Service Auction, which will be held Saturday, March 23, at the Recreation Center.

Plans to overhaul Burton Community Park have gained momentum with a $65,000 commitment for the project from the Huntington Woods Men's Club. The service organization voted during its December meeting to make the park project the beneficiary of its annual Service Auction, which will be held Saturday, March 23, at the Recreation Center. [Men's Club Service Auction tickets are available at the Recreation Center. Advance purchase is required!] "It's the biggest and most central park in the community and it has to get redone," Men's Club President Scott Kube said. The auction proceeds will be used to replace the park's aging, splintering play structure, he said. The Men's Club will work in concert with the Friends of Burton Community Park, …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Susan Witus

8:47 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013

Here! Here! I second that remark! With the Men's Club powerhouse of Men, this project will become a reality! -Susan   more ›

Zumba Mexican Grille to Host Burton Community Park Fundraiser

The Royal Oak restaurant will donate 15 percent of proceeds from sales between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 – with presentation of a coupon – to help replace the playground.

Eat at Olga's Today to Raise Money for Burton Community Park

Show a flier at the restaurant in Royal Oak on Dec. 13 and a portion of the proceeds from your meal will be used to help replace the Huntington Woods playground.

Burton Elementary Challenge Raises $30,000 for Outdoor Classroom in Honor of Late Teacher

Students, families, teachers and neighbors chipped in during the last month to raise money for an outdoor park in memory of first grade teacher Maureen Simon, who died last year.

Burton Elementary School students have rallied together to raise more than $30,000 for a special memorial to be built. As Friends of Burton Community Park plan to replace the very weathered wooden play structure outside of Burton Elementary, the students did their part to raise funds to build an outdoor classroom in honor of Maureen Simon, a first grade teacher who died suddenly last year. “Everyone was so passionate about this memorial campaign, innovating fundraising ideas and motivating each other to reach the target,” Maribeth Krehbiel, principal of Burton Elementary School, said in the press release. “Maureen’s unexpected passing hit our school community very hard. The outdoor classroom project has proven a healthy way to help cope …

• Photos (2)

Burton Community Park Organizers Have High Hopes for New Play Space by Next Year

Group hopes to raise $500,000 to bring a state-of-the-art playground to Huntington Woods next summer.

After an 18 year run, it’s fair to say that Burton Community Park in Huntington Woods has seen its share of tag games, hide and seek and children getting splinters. Used for countless recesses, after-school activities, weekend pickup games and summer play dates, it is now showing a wear-and-tear that’s potentially dangerous for local children. That’s why one group of community members is doing its part to rally the community and completely transform Burton Community Park in just one year. “When we made the decision to rebuild, we knew we wanted a sustainable structure that would last us 50 years,” said Lauren Hirsch, chair of the Friends of Burton Community Park and a Burton Elementary School PTA member. “It was important that the new …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

City Commission Addresses Plans for Park, Arbor Day, Mental Health Month

Huntington Woods officials vote to recognize Arbor Day and Mental Health Month, in addition to offering suggestions for the reconstruction of Burton Park.

The City Commission met Tuesday evening addressing issues of the city, primarily upcoming plans for Huntington Woods. Lauren Hirsch, of the Burton Elementary PTA and Friends of Burton Community Park, presented plans and photos for the new playground envisioned for the park. Local residents also attended the meeting and vouched as fundraisers and supporters of the project. The group explained its goal of raising $500,000 and while Mayor Ronald Gillham noted its February 2013 deadline was steep, he and Council members expressed interest and support. Councilman Jeff Jenks offered suggestions of grants that might be available and also constructive criticism about planning for ample seating for seniors who bring grandchildren. “I’d love to see …

• Photos (1)

Burton Community Park Committee Plans to Replace Playscape

"We are looking forward with much gusto and trepidation to the fundraising phase of this project," said Lauren Hirsch, committee president. The project is estimated to cost $350,000 and will kick off in 2013.

The Burton Community Park Committee has initiated work toward replacing the playground at the heart of Huntington Woods, with seed money in hand and a tentative start on the project set for 2013. Committee President Lauren Hirsch told the Berkley School District Board of Education on Monday night that a contract is being negotiated with M.C. Smith Associates and Architectural Group Inc. of Grand Rapids for the project, which will include a complete teardown and rebuild. Hirsch explained the structure was built 17 years ago and is nearing the end of its expected 20-year life span. "It's not a physical hazard today, but if we don't put our plan into action, it will be in the future," she told Berkley Patch on Thursday. Hirsch said that in …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)