As we welcome June in, we are beginning one of our best times of the year for community engagement and events in Walker. These events and the engagement that comes with them have become part of the glue that holds and strengthens our community. I know that serving our City in my current role is critical to our community health, and I never take these times for granted.



On attendance numbers alone, our annual Memorial Day Parade was one of the best we have ever held in Walker. You can see from the incredible efforts of our various City departments that we recognize the importance of coming together as a community to honor the true purpose of the day - remembering and paying tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. I could not be prouder of how our community values those who serve in our military, public safety, and even public service. We live in a special City, and times like these provide evidence of that.

This coming Thursday, our Summer Concert Series also kicks off, with hometown favorite Brena returning to mark the annual start to summer. Please come and join us for what will be another great evening enjoying the best cover band in West Michigan! I would be remiss not to thank our many sponsors for their investment in our community. That list continues to grow each year as more organizations realize the impact these events have on our residents, businesses, and guests.

Recently, we have seen a higher number of ribbon cuttings for new businesses entering the City of Walker. Their decision to come here is one that we should recognize and celebrate, as we know West Michigan has many great communities that they could have chosen instead. Nonetheless, welcome to all and thank you for making Walker your choice!

Lastly, this time of year marks the end of the annual school year. There are several long-time teachers and support staff who have decided it is time for that next chapter in their lives and are retiring. As I have been visiting some of our schools multiple times a week lately for various events, I am reminded that many retirees have made a significant impact on our community, extending beyond simply graduating a group of students to the next grade level. Their ability to inspire and teach helps our students find their paths in life. Our City owes each of them a debt of gratitude for their service!

Please get out and enjoy our investments in our parks and trails. There is no better time of year to take advantage of those than right now!

Thank you, as always, for making Walker your place to live, work, and grow.

Mayor Gary L. Carey, Jr.

The Kent County Deer Management Coalition invites residents to attend the upcoming Deer Management Open House Series. The set of four public sessions will share updates on the coalition’s ongoing deer management study and gather additional input on deer-related concerns. Sessions will be held June 4, with morning and evening options available to accommodate varying schedules.

Open House Schedule:

• Wednesday, June 4

City of Walker 

4243 Remembrance Road NW, Walker, Mich. 

10 AM - 11:30 AM

Kent County Road Commission Southwest Complex 

131 84th St. SW, Byron Center, Mich. 

6 PM - 7:30 PM

Each session will follow the same format and offer equal opportunity for engagement. A looping slideshow will highlight key findings from the study so far, and attendees will be invited to complete a short survey about their own experiences and concerns. Informational tables will cover key topics including research findings, traffic and safety, deer population health and management, and best practices for residents.

Representatives from the Deer Management Coalition—including Kent County, the Kent County Road Commission, the City of Kentwood, and Grand Valley State University—as well as staff from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will be available at the tables to answer questions and hear directly from community members

For more information, visit kentcountymi.gov/deer.

Important Dates

June 4: Deer Management Open House

June 5: Walker Standale Summer Concert Series ft. Brena

June 16: KDL Summer Wonder Bash

Fire Department Updates

As the weather warms up, outdoor fires become a popular way to enjoy summer evenings. If you're planning to use a fire ring or outdoor fireplace at home, please make sure you’re following local guidelines to ensure safety for yourself and your neighbors.

✅ Fire Rings – No Permit Needed, But Rules Apply:

• Only clean, untreated wood or solid fuel may be burned. No trash, paper, leaves, or yard waste is allowed.
• The fire ring must be no larger than 4 feet in diameter.
• A 6-inch non-combustible ring (e.g., gravel or stone) must surround the fire ring.
• Must be located at least 25 feet from buildings and overhead wires, and 10 feet from neighboring property lines.

✅ Outdoor Fireplaces – Use with Caution:

• Must be used on non-combustible surfaces such as brick, concrete, or flagstone.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
• Only burn clean, untreated wood—the same rules as fire rings apply.

If the Fire Department responds to a complaint about smoke or odor from your fire and determines it poses a health hazard or nuisance, you may be asked to extinguish it immediately.

Help keep our community safe and enjoyable for everyone—burn responsibly and be considerate of your neighbors.

Police Department Updates

Walker Police Department recently had the opportunity to recognize several officers with awards for exceptional service in calendar year 2024. Awarded were:

Walker PD would also like to introduce two new officers at our department! Officer Rohn is completing the final stages of her field training process while Officer Peddie is just starting his. Welcome to the team!

To keep up on department news, safety tips, and police related humor, follow us on Facebook by liking “City of Walker Police Department-Michigan.”

Public Works & Engineering Updates

Sidewalk Safety & Tripping Hazard Prevention

The Michigan Municipal League (MML) has identified trip-and-fall incidents on sidewalks as one of the most common liability claims faced by communities across the state. In the City of Walker, we are committed to reducing tripping hazards as part of our efforts to promote public safety and provide residents with a safe, enjoyable walking experience.

The Walker Engineering Department inspects all City-owned sidewalks and trails every two years. During these inspections, we prioritize:

• Elevation changes over 2 inches (highest priority)
• Elevation changes over 0.75 inches
• Obstructions such as overgrown vegetation, severe cracks, or debris are addressed on a case-by-case basis

Report a Hazard

If you spot a potential tripping hazard in your neighborhood, please contact the Engineering Department at (616) 791-6854. We work closely with the Department of Public Works to evaluate and address reported concerns. Repairs typically occur within 30 days to 6 months, depending on severity. Fixes may include grinding uneven areas or replacing slabs where needed.

Income Tax Department Updates

Due dates

Second quarter estimated payments for calendar year 2025 are due June 30, 2025. Forms are available on our website at: www.walkermi.gov/taxforms.

Where’s my refund?

All refunds for 2024 timely filed returns that are correct and complete will be issued by June 15, 2025. Please do not call or email for the status of your refund before June 15, 2025. Returns missing information will receive a notice shortly requesting this information.

If you received a letter requesting more information, please respond as soon as possible. If we do not receive the required information, deductions and credits will be disallowed resulting in a lower refund or an assessment. You can provide missing information several ways:

• Mail to Walker Income Tax Department, PO Box 153, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0153
• Email to incometax@walker.city
• Fax at (616) 791-6808
• Secure upload site using the link here

If you were expecting a refund, but have received a proposed assessment, please provide the missing information within 30 days.

If you are not sure if you need to file Walker Income Tax returns, the most common questions are answered on our website at: www.walkermi.gov/incometaxFAQs. You can also call us at (616) 791-6880.

Try Us FREE for 7 Days!

Are you interested in a gym membership? You can try out our facility FREE for 7 days. Anyone 18 years and older, an area resident, and a first-time visitor to our facility is welcome to do this! You will have access to all our amenities during this week. That means the indoor track, cardio equipment, extensive free weights, and more are yours to try FREE! Call (616) 735-6286 or click here for more info.

While the library is being remodeled and expanded, we have moved to a temporary location in Standale Plaza. Some programs will be held in the Community Room at Walker Fire Station 2 and Walker Community Park.  Here is a selection of events in May. For more programs, visit kdl.org/events.  

Summer Wonder Bash!

Monday, June 16, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM.

This event will be held at Walker Community Park, 700 Cummings Ave NW.

Cirque Amongus

Wednesday, June 18, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM.

This event will be held at Walker Community Park, 700 Cummings Ave NW.

Critter Barn

Wednesday, June 25, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

This event will be held at Walker Community Park, 700 Cummings Ave NW.

KDL Lab Experience: The Science of Yuck

Thursday, June 26, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

This event will be held at the Walker Fire Station 2, 4101 Lake Michigan Dr NW.

Summer Wonder starts June 2!

This Summer, KDL offers reading challenges for all ages, with exciting prizes to encourage a summer filled with reading. We will also host a fun-filled schedule of exciting programs and activities, including magicians, visits from animals, and circus performers. Here are just a few highlights! Find out more at kdl.org/summer/.