$303,782Average Value$208Average 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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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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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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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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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.
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.
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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Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield
Video By
Kyo Nguyen
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Mark Brace
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate (Main)
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Millennium Park
Kent County Park Commission
Lincoln Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
Covell Dog Park
Dog Park
Parking Lot
John Ball Park
Picnic Area
Tennis
Playground
Baja Park
Multi-Purpose Field
Valley Fields Neighborhood Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Gerald R Ford International
24 min drive
Bus
Bridge & Valley (Eb)
Bus
John Ball Zoo Station (Eb)
Bus
Bridge & Mt. Mercy (Wb)
Bus
Bridge & Grandview Apartments (Wb)
Bus
Bridge & Valley (Wb)
Bus
Bridge & Scott (Wb)
Bus
Garfield Ave Station (Wb)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
John Ball Park
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
John Ball Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in John Ball Park, Grand Rapids sell after 12 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in John Ball Park, Grand Rapids over the last 12 months is $319,900, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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
Check out this well maintained 5-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom Cape Cod-style home, nestled in a serene, tree-lined neighborhood on Grand Rapids' sought-after Westside. This home combines classic 1950s charm with modern updates, offering an inviting and spacious living environment perfect for growing families. Don't miss the screened in porch.The open floor plan features a bright and airy living room,
Yes 4 bedrooms with 1 and 1/2 baths. Nice hardwood floors in most of the house. The location is great for access to Grand Valley, John Ball Park and City Park for the kids and adults., plus walking and biking trails less than a block away. Home offers a large living room and formal dining room, kitchen and half bath on main floor. Upstairs you have 4 bedrooms and full bath. One stall garage
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mark Brace,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,260
Median Age
34
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$69,492
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$89,402
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
44.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.6%
% Population in Labor Force
69%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
119''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
26/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
27/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
