Kentwood Department of Public Works, Kent County Road Commission to Host Community Open House During National Public Works Week
May 18 Event Will Include Hands-on Activities, Live Demonstrations and Giveaways

The Kentwood Department of Public Works and Kent County Road Commission are inviting community members to take a behind-the-scenes look at how local public works departments serve residents during an open house Thursday, May 18.

The open house will take place 4-7 p.m. at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE. Community members of all ages will be able to meet the Public Works team, learn more about the services it provides and explore vehicles and other equipment used by the department. The event is in recognition of National Public Works Week, which is May 21-27.

“The Kentwood Department of Public Works supports many aspects of our residents’ daily lives, from plowing roads to maintaining trails to repairing public safety vehicles,” Public Works Director Chad Griffin said. “We’re looking forward to connecting with the community to share more about what we do and display some of the equipment we use to get the job done.”

The event will feature giveaways, hands-on activities, live maintenance, repair demonstrations and more. Complimentary food and refreshments will be provided. Free red maple and river birch tree seedlings will also be available for attendees to take home.

Additionally, semifinalists and finalists of the Work Zone Safety Poster competition will be recognized at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by Kent County Road Commission and public works agencies throughout Kent County, the poster contest invited third-graders from across the county to design a caution sign focused on safety tips for driving through a work zone. A gallery of entries will be displayed during the event.

The Kent County Road Commission will also have team members and equipment on-site to share more about their role in the community.

“Our team works collaboratively with public works departments throughout the county to serve residents by keeping roads safe,” said Steve Warren, managing director of the Kent County Road Commission. “We are excited to connect with community members and share more about our dedication to maintaining public infrastructure.”  

The Kentwood Department of Public Works has five divisions that work together to maintain the City’s infrastructure, which includes more than 150 miles of pipes underground and more than 155 miles of streets above ground, as well as City parks and grounds, buildings and vehicles. The five divisions are building maintenance, fleet services, grounds maintenance, streets maintenance and utilities (water and wastewater) services. To learn more about Kentwood DPW, visit kentwood.us/DPW.

Prior to the open house, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will provide a proclamation for National Public Works Week during the May 16 City Commission meeting.