$318,318Average Value$181Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Grand Rapids’ west side community on Fulton Street
Living on the west side of Grand Rapids may be more affordable than the east side, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of interesting things to do and see. “For me, my heart is in the Grand Rapids area. It’s a small, big town and it has a huge sense of community. We’re in the Midwest where people genuinely care about one another. It’s a fantastic place to live,” says Susan Shively, a licensed Realtor with Five Star Real Estate and a lifelong Grand Rapids resident. John Ball Park is named for the John Ball Park and Zoo, which takes up a large portion of this neighborhood. Not far from most homes are a few shops, restaurants and cafes, such as Rise Authentic Baking Co. coffee shop, and Putt Put’s Bar. Grand Valley State University Students can rent a room in John Ball Park homes and ride the bus east to Grand Valley’s downtown campus. Grade school students study within the Grand Rapids Public School district, which is graded an overall C-plus on Niche.
John Ball Park is only a few minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.
Fulton Street is the main road running through John Ball Park with lots of retail and food.
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Play and learn at John Ball Zoo
Residents can choose to take advantage of an annual pass to the John Ball Zoo, which is great for families or nature enthusiasts who enjoy spending a day viewing animal exhibits and experiences. "I love being close to the John Ball Zoo," says Emily Bonello, local resident and lifelong west Michigander. "It has such a nice variety of animals without feeling too big and sprawling to accomplish in one day trip.” The park outside the zoo is free to anyone in the area, includes ample parking, and has large green spaces and play areas. Mines Golf Course is named after the gypsum mines directly below the property, where players can enjoy a challenging 18-hole course. Lincoln Park to the north has sports courts and a playground near Eden Cafe and the popular Tacos El Cuñado taco stand on Bridge Street.
Welcome to John Ball Zoo in John Ball Park, MI.
The John Ball Park Zoo hosts many fun events throughout the year in John Ball Park, MI.
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Classic Craftsman homes near John Ball Park and Zoo
Lake Michigan Drive, one of the area’s major roads, leads into John Ball Park. Homes on this street leading into the city are more suburban, with brick ranch and raised-ranch houses set into the downhill slope. Some residences have nice-sized backyards and pools. Most houses north of the highway are priced between $230,000 and $400,000. South of the highway near John Ball Zoo, buyers will find classic Midwest Craftsman homes with large columns on front porches, screened-in sunrooms and a few dormer windows. These residences near the zoo often cost between $200,000 and $350,000.
Many farmhouse-style homes have spacious front porches in John Ball Park, MI.
Raised ranches and split level homes line the quiet streets of John Ball Park.
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Cafes and bars on Fulton Street
Rise Authentic Baking Co is a great spot for sitting with a laptop and sipping coffee or sampling their freshly made vegan and gluten-free pastries. During colder months, Rise sets up their outdoor plastic igloos with tables, chairs and heaters. Putt Putt's Bar and Joey’s Tavern are both lively bars across the street from each other with outdoor patio spaces, classic bar food, TVs for watching Tigers or Lions games and live music nights. For neighborhood news and updates, residents can join the John Ball Area Neighbors page on Facebook to celebrate being part of Grand Rapids’ west side. Most shoppers head to the Meijer and Aldi in Standale which are about 4 miles west on Lake Michigan Drive. Closer to home, Great Lakes Ace Hardware, Family Dollar, and the Frank’s Market Butcher shop are right on Fulton Street.
Residents can find Joey's Tavern located on Fulton Street in the John Ball Park Neighborhood.
The local Bitter End coffee shop is a John Ball Park neighborhood favorite.
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Grand Rapids’ annual downtown events
John Ball Park residents can participate in major Grand Rapids events, such as the Irish on Ionia festival which celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Grand Rapids Pride Festival which takes place in June. The most famous Grand Rapids event is ArtPrize, which features dozens of art pieces in a city-wide, month-long competition in September. Visitors can walk around to find paintings, murals, sculptures and statement pieces all over the city and vote for their favorite pieces. It’s a quick hop across the Grand River into the city, where locals can check out Ionia Street for barhopping and dancing, catch a game at Van Andel Arena, or attend a performance at DeVos Performance Hall.
Grand Rapids Public Schools’ programs and achievements
John Ball Park students can attend kindergarten through eighth grade at Shawmut Hills School, known for its caregiver engagement programs, which celebrates staff, family members, and the students. They host events like their school carnival, family dances and a winter holiday ‘sing-a-long'. For ninth through twelfth grade, students may attend Union High School, which is labeled a cultural center due to its specialization in English language programs for a diverse student population. Its campus was also recently renovated and updated to include new technology and classroom enhancements for students. Both schools are graded a C on Niche.
Union High School has a total population of around 1,200 students.
Sacred Heart Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Conveniently located near Interstate 96
John Ball Park residents have access to all three major roadways in the Grand Rapids area, including Lake Michigan Drive, Fulton Street, and Interstate 96. I-96 can take drivers southwest to Zeeland and Holland or east to the Gerald R Ford International Airport, which is about 15 miles away. Fulton Street cuts through Grand Rapids’ downtown, leading to all sorts of nightlife and further east into the more expensive parts of town. Grand Rapids’ “Medical Mile” is a long stretch on Michigan Street with several teaching hospitals and clinics such as the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and the Spectrum Butterworth Hospital emergency room.
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Maria Kauffman
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate (Main)
GreatSchools:
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John Ball Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in John Ball Park, Grand Rapids sell after 13 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in John Ball Park, Grand Rapids over the last 12 months is $313,900, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
First time on the market in over 50 years! This timeless Valley Street home overlooking John Ball Park combines classic character with thoughtful updates. Step inside to find hardwood floors, original woodwork, & a charming built-in hutch in the dining room. The home features, spacious a living room w/decorative brick fireplace, den w/slider to the backyard, large covered porch, kitchen with
Perched on top of a hill and nick named Eagles Nest, this home has a million dollar year round view of the city scape of Grand Rapids. A view so special it was an Artprize entry and is slated to hang in the remodel of the Gerald Ford Intl airport. Experience the breathtaking views for yourself from almost every room in this 3 B/R, 21/2 bath totally renovated home. The thoughtful architectural
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Property Id: 2160025This large, 4-bedroom house sits in a quiet neighborhood near the Zoo. Close to colleges, only 1 block away from Campus Connector and regular bus routes. Walking distance to shopping and restaurants too! All appliances, including Washer & Dryer. No utilities included. Text or call to schedule a showing today! (if you call, leave a message mentioning the address
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