Mapping Edible Trees
Northeast Grand Rapids
Group Members: Adam Simon, Anna Miller, Ashley Carver, Claire Ashton, Jordan Evans, Kayla Forrest, Laura Sutherland, Riley Bolt, and Skye Palmer
History of Grand Rapids
Before Grand Rapids was established as a city, it was first founded as a village by Louis Campau in 1838. The river flowing through the village was a white water rapids, thus endowing the name “Grand Rapids” (Experience Grand Rapids). The city of Grand Rapids was established in 1850.
Grand Rapids was the first city in the world to put fluoride in its drinking water in 1945. This move was regarded as one of the 20th century’s most prominent public health achievements (History of Grand Rapids). One of the more modern things that Grand Rapids is well known for is its success with the biannual event “ArtPrize”. In 2009, Rick Devos hosted an art show that enveloped the entire downtown area, featuring all forms of art. The public voted on which was the best, and the winner would earn $250,000 (The ArtPrize Story).
According to Garret Ellison, the Grand Rapids housing color barrier was broken in 1962 when Samuel Triplett, Joseph W. Lee, J. E. Adams, and Dr. Julius Franks bought and developed a tract of land in Northeast Grand Rapids in response to redlining. This neighborhood became the Auburn Hills neighborhood. Previously, black people could only obtain housing loans for the South side of Grand Rapids (Ellison). This was a large step toward racially integrated neighborhoods in Grand Rapids. However, to this day, Northeast Grand Rapids is still not very racially diverse.
Socioeconomic Breakdown
Currently, the approximate ethnic makeup of Northeast Grand Rapids is (in descending order) White: 92.8%, Hispanic: 2.5%, Black: 1.2%, Asian: 0.8%, and Native: 0.4%. The majority of the population of Northeast Grand Rapids has a high school education (23.71%), while others have some level of college education (20.96%), or a Bachelor’s degree (19%). Only 2.5% of the Northeast Grand Rapids population has no high school education. The average household income of Northeast Grand Rapids is $75,751.62.
Grand Rapids Urban Agriculture
In July of 2016, the Grand Rapids City Commission founded the Urban Agriculture Committee in order to make the public aware of the benefits that urban agriculture entails. The Urban Agriculture Committee’s main goal is to establish the most efficient method towards growing, raising, selling, and harvesting food in the Grand Rapids area. Our ENS 201 class partnered with New City Neighbors- a Grand Rapids nonprofit organization who uses public gardens to promote urban agriculture and benefit the community.
To support the Urban Agriculture Committee, our group has mapped out and confirmed the location of 10 edible trees within Northeast Grand Rapids, and noted whether or not the fruits/nuts are accessible. We used the website FallingFruit.org as a reference to locate edible trees. This project is important to emphasize edible landscapes and make them accessible to the community. This can help people who are in need of food, and spread awareness of urban agriculture in general.
Shagbark on Union Ave.
Branches are far up, but when in season (September-November), nuts will fall on the ground when ripe.
Black Locust on Paris Ave. (1)
Branches accessible with ladder, there are no current flowers or seed pods (the edible part). Not a viable option in fall/winter as a food source.
Honey Locust on Paris Ave.
There are few fruit pods on this tree. Not an available food source in late fall/ winter months.
White Oak on Paris Ave.
Branches are tall, nuts found on the ground. This would not be a viable option in fall/winter time.
Black Locust on Paris Ave. (2)
Branches accessible with ladder, there are no current flowers or seed pods (the edible part.) Not a viable option in fall/winter as a food source.
Honey Locust on Herrick and Spencer St
This tree is abundant with pods of ripe fruit and many are scattered upon ground for easy access.
Common Hackberry on Fulton St W and Ionia Ave SW
Branches are accessible on this young tree, although there was not any apparent berries (edible portion.) This is not an option in late fall/ winter seasons as a food source.
Eastern Redbud on Fountain St NE
Tree is accessible for picking. Branches had some damage due to tree trimming. No apparent seed pods were found, meaning this is not a viable option in fall/ winter months.
Sugar Maple on Carlton Ave. (1)
Branches are tall, accessible with ladder. No noticeable pods on the trees, making this an inviable option for fall/winter picking.
Sugar Maple on Carlton Ave. (2)
Branches are fairly tall. No noticeable pods on the trees, making this an inviable option for fall/winter picking.
Honey Locust on Fountain St NE
Tall branches, accessible with ladder. No visible seed pods, not a viable option in fall/winter seasons.
