Danish heritage runs deep in this small Michigan city
Greenville’s history is synonymous with Danish heritage. In 1934, Hendrik Meijer, a Danish barber, and his 14-year-old son, Fredrik, opened the first Meijer grocery store in the city. Hendrik Meijer passed away in 1964, and Fred Meijer took over the company, expanding it across the Midwest. “We are the home of Frederik Meijer groceries, and that is what our city is known for,” says Mary Ann Rittersdorf, office administrator of Public Services for the City of Greenville. “We have very strong Danish roots that show in our annual Danish Festival.” The festival attracts thousands to the city each year and spans four days. While Meijer remains one of the area's most influential employers, Greenville is also known as a hub for refrigeration and automotive manufacturing. The city's proximity to Grand Rapids, 30 miles south, also means additional job opportunities for those who commute.
The City of Greenville is 45 minutes Northeast of Grand Rapids.
The deep Danish heritage can be felt around town, especially during the annual Danish Festival.
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Over 100 acres of park space in Greenville
With 10 public parks spanning more than 100 acres of green space, Greenville has something for everyone. Baldwin Lake, located in the city’s southern half, features a 2-acre beach, the only public swimming area for residents. The Danish Kingdom Play Structure, located in the city’s eastern half, is a 14,000-square-foot wooden play structure with murals of Hans Christian Andersen, a famous Danish author.
Tower Riverside Park hosts free concerts, while Tower Mountain is a 10-acre park with a sledding and tubing hill. The Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Trail, which runs parallel to the Flat River, is a 21-mile trail that begins in Lowell, Michigan and ends at Jackson’s Landing Park in Greenville.
Alan G. Davis Park is known for the large playground, Danish Kingdom, in Greenville.
Tower Park in Greenville features a full disc-golf course, crossed by the Flat River Trail.
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Danish Festival celebrates city heritage
As a resident of Greenville, chances are someone has mentioned or attended the annual Danish Festival. “The Danish Festival is a whole weekend at Veterans Park, filled with hot air balloons, a parade, and anything else you can think of when it comes to having fun,” says Rittersdorf.
An open-air breakfast kicks off the festival season, offering a traditional Danish breakfast with sausage links, egg casserole, a slice of watermelon, and æbleskivers, traditional Danish pancake balls. The Danish Dash competition is a 5K run/walk accessible to people of all ages. The race begins near Baldwin Heights Elementary School and ends on Marvel Drive, with scenic views of Taylor Hops throughout the route. The Meijer Grand Dansk Parade immediately follows the conclusion of the race.
Scholarship program through the Education Foundation of Greenville
Greenville Public Schools is the area's primary school district here and serves nearly 3,000 students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 12. The district earns a B rating from Niche and oversees eight schools, supported by the Education Foundation of Greenville, a volunteer-based organization that provides scholarship opportunities to district students. Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University are the nearest four-year public universities.
Greenville Middle School has an overall B rating on Niche.com.
Greenville Senior High School has an overall B- rating on Niche.com.
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Stroll along the Greenville Social District
The Greenville Social District, located in the heart of downtown, includes local restaurants like Winter Inn and Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar along Lafayette Street. Those aged 21 and older can consume alcohol publicly within this district. Novelty shops like O'Conner Shoe Store and Park End Books are also located on this main road. While big-box supermarket chains like Meijer and Walmart Supercenter are in the city's western half. National fast-food chains like McDonald's, Taco Bell and KFC are common along State Route 57.
O'Connor Shoes is a family-owned store in Greenville specializing in high-quality work boots.
Greenville's historic downtown features numerous older buildings built in the early 1900's.
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New apartment homes near Meijer
With a population of 9,000, Greenville residents primarily live in 20th-century single-family bungalows and ranch-style homes. The median home price in Greenville is $240,000, about half the national median. “Our city is getting bigger each year as we are expanding, and one thing that is coming is new apartment complexes,” says Veronica Pitchford, assistant director of Flat River Community Library. These new apartment complexes, such as Crescent View Village, will offer 1- and 2-bedroom apartments behind Marketplace Shoppes.
Smaller bungalow style homes are common on the edges around downtown Greenville.
Spacious ranch-style homes become more common a few blocks away from downtown Greenville.
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A car-dependent city with public transportation options
Greenville residents will need a car to navigate in and out of the city. However, Greenville offers public transportation via scheduled bus rides. “At this point, we do have a transit system, but I would say you need a car to get around,” says Pitchford. Long, sprawling rural roads comprise most of the city, with Michigan State Route 57 serving as the main thoroughfare. The nearest interstate is 30 miles outside of the city. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport, the nearest commercial airport, is 40 miles south in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Corewell Health Greenville Hospital is located within city limits.
Low crime and environmental concerns
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Greenville’s crime rates, including larceny, have decreased over the past two years. Due to the city’s proximity to the Flat River, residents should expect flood warnings in the city's southern half.
Written By
Elgin Nelson
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate (Main)
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