One of the smaller neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, Michigan, there are still many great amenities the Baxter neighborhood can offer residents. The Baxter Community Center is a great facility in the neighborhood that gives back to the community by providing an events calendar for residents and opportunities for people to volunteer. Throughout the year, the Baxter Community Center takes on many projects that are designed to better the community and they are always looking for volunteers to help with the completion of these tasks. These projects include things like adding more playground equipment to the park and restoring the 70-year old retaining walls throughout the neighborhood. Projects that are completed in the neighborhood are made possible by donations and volunteers from the community.

In addition to the community center, there are a number of different churches located in the Baxter neighborhood. Sherman Street Church is a welcoming church community that has been around for over 100 years. Growing steadily since the mid-1970s, the church community is comprised of more than 400 people and is led by two pastors. One of the more newly established churches in the community is the Excel Church located near Fuller Avenue and Franklin Street. Although this is a new church community, there are still many people that attend the church service on Sunday. Established in the early 1980s, Central Bible Ministries International was created to help those less fortunate worldwide. This group of individuals who are dedicated to helping others have completed many projects in Africa to encourage development in many countries.

FUN IN BAXTER

Located in the center of the neighborhood, Joe Taylor Park is a 2-acre park that offers outdoor amenities to Baxter residents. The KABOOM! playground and water playground are great for all ages and there is also a picnic shelter and grills for outdoor dining.

Recently becoming a trendy activity to do with friends is attend a hot yoga class. Yoga Fever located on Wealthy Street in the northeast corner of the Baxter neighborhood offers a number of different yoga classes for people who are new to yoga or have been doing it for years. Another small locally owned business is Ernie’s Barber Shop where they specialize in men’s haircuts of all kinds.

Also located on the northeast side of the neighborhood, the Wealthy Theatre is a community arts center and people come from all over Grand Rapids to see shows. Established in 1911, this landmark was closed in the late 1970’s for twenty-five years and decayed over time. After being closed for a number of years, in 1998 the doors reopened upon completion of the restoration done inside.

GRAB A BITE TO EAT

With a community full of great homes, a community center, and a park there is little remaining room for restaurants. On the north side of Wealthy Street just across from the Baxter neighborhood, there are a number of great restaurants to dine at. The Electric Cheetah is a highly recommended restaurant that makes their food from scratch with all natural and locally grown ingredients. They have a delicious menu full of sandwiches, salads, and macaroni dishes made with unique flavors that are sure to tingle your taste buds.

For more cuisine made with natural and locally grown ingredients, stop by Brick Road Pizza Co for a delicious pizza pie. Not a pizza lover, they offer a wide variety of different food options like burgers and sandwiches or soups and salads to enjoy. Just down the road, Topper’s Pizza is another great restaurant to find a delicious slice of pizza. At Topper’s Pizza, they believe a pizza is only as good as the toppings or ingredients you put in it.