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"Waking Up Spring in West Michigan!"

By Lola Audu

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

May 05, 2007 06:27 AM

Spring is in the Air in West Michigan. Gardens are beginning to blossom into riotous color. A variety of Parks & Gardens are beginning to Open. Here's a Selection of some of the luscious Beauty that is Blooming in Grand Rapids, MI & the Local West Michigan area.

Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan Starting May 5th and continuing for one glorious week, Six Million Tulips will command center stage at the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan. This is a wonderful time to get out with the family and enjoy this gorgeous array of flowers. The Festival has become the Nation's Fifth Largest Annual Festival & draws almost 750,000visitors yearly. It is also an educational opportunity as the Dutch Heritage of West Michigan is celebrated with thousands of youngsters in Dutch costume joining in the Kinderparade, and more than 1,500 teenagers proudly perform lively Klompen dances in wooden shoes held on by layers of woolen socks.

John Ball Park & Zoo is a favorite amongst kids, large & small during the spring & summer seasons. The zoo has over 1100 animals from Africa, Australia, Asia, South America & the United States. John Ball Park Zoo is actively engaged in teaching & training about conservation & the proper care of planet earth. A variety of educational programs are available to teachers, parents & members of the community. The John Ball Park is a great place to relax & enjoy a picnic. I took this picture of some very "unusual swans" enjoying a leisurely swim on the lake!

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is one one of the areas popular attractions year round! The gardens were created through the hard work & fund raising efforts of the Grand Rapids Horticulture Society and the benevolence & generosity of the Meijer family who own a chain of local grocery stores.

The sculpture park is one of the garden's most unique features with sculptures from many famous artists around the world. Sculpture at Meijer Gardens The gardens & sculpture park span 125 acres. A variety of classes are open to the public & the Concert Series held during the summer is very popular. The mission statement of theFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is "To promote the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. President Jimmy Carter has referred to the Gardens as "a national treasure."

sculpture at Meijer Gardens

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Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Wow, what a nice post, Lola. Great information and terrific photos. I had no idea! Thanks for sharing this.

Jeff

May 05, 2007 09:31 AM

Gary Smith

Agent Marketing Today - Commerce Township, MI

Lola, and for once the cold weather may have helped. I agree, nice photos.

May 05, 2007 11:01 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Jeff, Thanks for your comment. Our govenor has named Grand Rapids as one of Michigan's "Cool Cities!" There has been so much development, especially in the downtown area that it feels like a totally different city than it was 20 years ago.

May 05, 2007 11:09 AM

Hi Gary, you must have snuck in while I was posting a response to Jeff's comment. Thanks for stopping by. It was very cold today...I had dressed for much warmer weather, so I'm glad the pictures turned out as well as they did for the Meijer Gardens & John Ball Park.

May 05, 2007 11:13 AM

Bob Sloop, Consultant, Indianapolis, IN

RS Mortgage Consulting - Indianapolis, IN

Such a neat post, thanks for sharing.

May 05, 2007 01:12 PM

Thanks for stopping by Bob. Sincerely appreciate your comment & your enjoyment of the post.

May 05, 2007 01:32 PM

Doreen McPherson

Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ

Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

Hi Lola,

I love tulips and roses and swans and butterflies! :)

Are those swans little boats?

Thanks for sharing these pretty pictures.

Doreen

May 05, 2007 07:48 PM

Hi Doreen, Thanks for your comments. The swans on the lake were large plastic floats. It was such a oddly incongruent sight that I had to take a picture!

May 06, 2007 12:34 AM

Alan Lacey

Alan Lacey- - Grand Rapids, MI

Tulip time is such a odd throwback event. I grew up in Holland and was in the band and hated it every year. Now I get a little nostalgic and have dragged my wife there a couple of times. Not sure if it is the elephant ears, memories, or just how parades seem to be a vestige from the 50's but if you like Tulips, junk food and bad parking it is still a true event.

May 07, 2007 02:38 AM

Joan Mirantz

Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH

Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Lola...So glad to see that the people of your fair state are making every effort to rise above the Economic problems plaguing them...it will come back...better than before!

May 07, 2007 07:03 AM

Therese VanderMeer

Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI

Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities

Lola: Another lovely and informative blog along with great information about what the Grand Rapids community has to offer. :)

May 10, 2007 04:04 PM

Stefan Scholl

Buyer's Broker of Northern Michigan, LLC - Petoskey, MI

Northern Michigan Real Estate

Six million tulips? Wow, that is amazing. I have always wanted to check out the Tulip Festival. Not going to make it this year, but hopefully in my lifetime. Welcome, Spring!

May 10, 2007 05:15 PM

Hi Alan, you sort of summed it up in your description of your memories of Tulip time...a nostalgic throw-back to a bygone era! The elephant ears & other goodies enjoyed with a small town flair make events like this something to cherish. Thanks for stopping by & commenting.

May 11, 2007 03:24 AM

Joan...AMEN!

Therese, thanks for stopping by & reading. Enjoyed reading your latest post about buying in Jenison, MI.

Stefan, Thanks for your comment. Hope you have the opportunity to head down to West Michigan sometime this summer. Although Tulip Time is only for one week, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park & other great parks & recreational sites are Open all summer long!

May 11, 2007 03:28 AM

ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779

REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC

CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

CONGRATULATIONS, Today...You have won the Welcome as the Flowers in May-
Gold Star
Your photo essay with your own photos/graphics and original text ·1) invites audience connection,·2) educates, inspires,·3) delivers humor, wit, enthusiasm...·4) generates discussion,·5) recognizes "giving back", "paying forward" " responsible stewardship", ·6) AND *** tells a story .from the perspective of a day-in-the-life of- a REALTOR® (or real estate related occupation.)

Here's an example of an article that makes me look forward to dropping in for a visit at Active Rain...and staying for a while!

****

May 16, 2007 10:33 AM

"Waking Up Spring in West Michigan!"

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