Editorial: What Does It Take to Shape the Future?

Photo Credit: Life Magazine, 1949

It's tempting to think the future is something that happens to us, delivered by time like the weather rolling in from the west. But here in Cedar Springs we know better. The future takes showing up. It takes neighbors talking to neighbors. It takes a little patience, a little courage, and a shared willingness to put our hopes into words.

But what does it truly take to shape the future of our town? The answer is simple, yet true: it takes all of us.

Over the past year, city officials, staff, and volunteers have dedicated their time, efforts, and expertise into crafting the City of Cedar Springs Master Plan. This document is a vision, a roadmap, and a promise. It will guide decisions on growth, development, parks, businesses, housing, and the very character of our town for the next decade and beyond. And now, they're asking for something only we can give: our feedback.

A plan is only as strong as the voices behind it. If you rent an apartment over on a side street or own a home near the White Pine Trail or maybe down "Teacher's Alley;" if you're running a storefront, investing in a property, or dreaming of one: this is your moment. What do you want Cedar Springs to look and feel like in a year, five years, or ten? Do we need safer crossings and sidewalks for kids walking to school? More space for small businesses to start and stay? Thoughtful housing options that let grandparents live near grandkids? How do we balance the pulse of Main Street with the quiet peacefulness we love along Cedar Creek? What should we strive for, and what must we protect?

Consensus isn't easy. We may never agree on every detail, in fact it is statistically unlikely that we will. That's okay. What matters is a genuine, broad consensus, a sense that a majority of us were heard and that the path forward reflects our shared values. Many voices would make this plan stronger. Read it. React to it. Offer a suggestion. Or, if you choose not to, understand that silence is a kind of consent to accept whatever happens. Remember, in the recent City Council primary election, turnout was just 7.8%. A silence that allowed a very small slice of our community to decide for everyone else. Let's not repeat that here.

Here's how to get involved:

• Read the draft Master plan at https://cityofcedarsprings.org. On the homepage, look for the blue lettering that reads "Proposed Master Plan" and click the link.

• Prefer paper? Call City Hall, (616.696.1330) to request a printed copy for a small fee, or stop by during regular hours, Monday through Thursday, 8:30am - 5:30pm

• Share your ideas and suggestions with our City Manager, Darla Falcon, no later than Tuesday, August 26, at 5pm

• Attend the Public Hearing at City Hall on Thursday, September 2 at 7pm, listen to your neighbors and add your voice to the official record.

The Master Plan itself says it plainly. On page 67, the vision requires a "commitment to implementation" and that "its success depends on the efforts put into action." And the last paragraph reminds us: "it is understood that many of these strategies are complex and long-term in nature, necessitating cooperation from multiple stakeholders." That "cooperation" isn't abstract. It's you. It's all of us.

Cedar Springs has always been more than a dot on a map. We're a community that rolls up its sleeves, looks out for one another, and takes pride in where we're headed. The future won't arrive ready-made. We'll build it together, with care, with honesty, and with that practical Cedar Springs spirit.

So, what does it take to shape the future? Well, if you ask this editor, it takes a willingness to take responsibility for the community in which you live, a couple hours to get involved, and the belief that our best days are the ones we design together. You can help shape the future of our town and community. So, let's begin.

---

If you enjoy local news, hometown happenings, and articles like this, subscribe today!