As we enter the holiday season, join us as we celebrate some amazing accomplishments of City staff! Each department plays a vital role in our community and we’re very grateful for their efforts.
 

Special Events:

To kick things off, let's start with the Special Events Superstar, Michael Lary. Here's how amazing Michael was in 2024:

• Hosted and collaborated on over a dozen events, including the Temporary Recycling Drop-Off Station, Juneteenth, State of the City and Volunteer Appreciation, Eggstravaganza, Geary Park Skate Jam, Fall Festival, Downtown trick-or-treating, Nine on Nine, Ferndale Pride, DIY Street Fair, Funky Ferndale Art Fair, Cinco de Mayo, and the Memorial Day Parade (and more!) 
• Welcomed over 200 volunteers 
• Collected food to benefit the Renaissance Vineyard Food Pantry
• Facilitated $2,700 in donations to the Renaissance Vineyard Food Pantry and FernCare Free Clinic

Michael embodies the spunk and spirit of Ferndale. He is always there when you need him and his passion for this community makes Ferndale a better place to be. Thank you, Michael!
 

Parks and Recreation: 

It's time to recognize the most spectacular team around--our Parks and Recreation Department. Whether it's the vibrant parks, fantastic events, exciting sports, or inclusive programs, there is something for everyone from children to seniors. Let's celebrate all of their amazing achievements this year. In 2024, the Parks and Rec. Team:

• Sold out the summer camp program in just 3 minutes! Participants increased from 50 to 80 weekly and extended from 9 to 10 weeks 
• Increased youth sports participation in basketball by 56% since 2023, and introduced a girls’ league by popular demand to provide a space for third to fifth-graders 
• Expanded adult sports with the launch of adult drop-in soccer and an aquatics program, including water aerobics, open lap swim, and a parent-tot swim class 
• Hosted the Geary Park Skate Jam and held contests for all age groups in skateboarding, BMX, and scootering 
• Reached new heights with senior trips to Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel, an all-inclusive, 5-star hotel packed with activities and excursions 
• Continued park revitalization efforts with major improvements to Wilson Park and Martin Road Park with new activities, sustainable features, and new accessibility standards 

There's so much that goes on behind the scenes to make these things happen. We appreciate their diligence and passion for this community. They make it a fun place to stay and play! Thank you, LaReina, Robert, Emanuel, Taylor, Alicia, Christion, Ariana, and all of our coaches, drivers, and volunteers.

PS. A resolution for 2025 could be to volunteer or coach!

Public Works:

It's time to celebrate one of our departments who is ALWAYS getting the job done: DPW. Whether it's coordinating important processes behind the scenes or taking front-line action in the community in a variety of areas, DPW is always on the job and showing up for Ferndale. 

In 2024, DPW: 

• Verified 1,000 lead service lines and replaced 500 
• Published a self-reporting lead service line verification tool for properties 
• Cleaned and televised 60k linear feet of sewer lines through the Sewer Televising and Cleaning Program 
• Lined 8k linear feet of older sewer lines in poor condition through the Sewer Improvement Program 
• Repaved 6.6 miles of roadway and four parking lots 
• Removed and replaced 22,000 square feet of broken and damaged sidewalks 
• Replanted 50 high-risk trees with 125 healthy trees 
• Planted 20,000 flowers in Downtown Ferndale 
• Plowed 14 snow events 

Thank you for all you do to keep the community safe and clean!