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What is OFENA?

OFENA stands for Old Farm Estates Neighborhood Association. We are located near 44th and Breton in the City of Kentwood, Michigan. We are one of the nearest neighborhood to the City Center (located on Breton) we are also within walking distance of Old Farm Park and the Paul Henry Rail Trail.

OFENA is a voluntary organization that publishes a newsletter and baby-sitter/services list as well as sponsors many community events for children and families in the Old Farm Estates Neighborhood (garage sales, Easter egg hunt, picnic in the park, ice cream social, Halloween parade, etc.). Each fall we have a membership drive where we ask residents of Old Farm Estates to donate $15.00 to help cover costs of these events.

Sometimes there is confusion between OFENA and OFEPOA (Old Farm Estates Property Owners Association). OFEPOA is a Home Owners Association for homes in the newer section of Old Farm Estates. The dues from this organization go toward maintaining the common landscaped areas and entrance signs.

Questions regarding the Old Farm Estates NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (OFENA) can be directed to the coordinator,  Lela Brown at (616)698-2532. Any questions pertaining to the PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION can be sent to OFEPOA, P.O. Box 8521, Kentwood MI 49518.

Neighborhood Map

Neighborhood History

On June 11,1975, the Old Farm Estates Neighborhood Association was incorporated with the following purpose:

“To promote communication, cooperation and friendship among the residents; maintain and improve our property and physical appearance of our community; have a voice in all civic matters affecting our community; initiate neighborhood programs to improve the quality of life; develop a spirit of pride and individual obligation to the area in which we reside.”

Have you ever wondered why our neighborhood is called Old Farm? In 1971, when the first homes were constructed, there stood a barn south of the 44^th Street on Applewood; this was the only entrance into the subdivision. Today two of the newer duplex units are on this same piece of property. Rick Root recalls when the Old Farm Apartments were just a gravel pit and the railroad was active with 3-4 trains per day. He also recalls when his large weeping willow on Applewood was only 6’ tall when he moved here in 1975. In past years, the neighborhood association not only served for social reasons but was politically involved giving a voice to the residents as this area of Kentwood was developing.

Bouma builders (later to become Eastbrook Builders) built many of the first homes in the neighborhood. A spec home greeted it’s visitors with a telltale orange and brown entryway. What brought many of the residents to Old Farm are the things that bring people today – a nice neighborhood and good schools.

The following residents have lived in our neighborhood for over 25 years!

Fred & Donna Bahlman— Larkwood, moved in Oct. 5, 1971. They were the first house on Larkwood; no other streets in the development, no streetlights, no apartments and only one entrance into the neighborhood (Applewood off 44^th).

Rolf & Roberta Beerhorst—Highlander, have lived in Old Farm since September 1972.

Rick & Karleen Root—Countrywood, October 1975.

Bob & Bev O’Connor—Innwood, moved in May 1972. The post office would only deliver to the corner of Applewood and Innwood so the mailbox was at the corner.

Joe & Judy Mickley—Innwood, moved in Jan 1973. They remember when quail and deer made a daily appearance in their backyard.

Alice Andrews—Highlander, Winter of ’77 when snow paralyzed GR and Old Farm was snowed in 2-3 days before the plows were able to get us out!

Click here to join OFENA!

Many thanks to Kentwood Citizens Academy Alumni, www.kcaa.org, for hosting our neighborhood web site!