Neighborhood Guide: Forest Hills

With a population of 28,000, the neighborhood of Forest Hills allows most of its residents to get a rural feel. With top-rated schools, students are allowed to participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities. Regarded as affluential, this suburb holds a strong community that ensures that those who live in the neighborhood are afforded safety. The downtown area has recently been renovated and roads and intersections around town are being updated and repaired. Forest Hills is home to small and large businesses and provides excellent jobs and volunteer opportunities.

Restaurants

If you’re in the mood for comfort food, Noco Provisions is the place to go. This delicious American eatery has become a hub for businesses to wine and dine with their associates. The menu is made up of diverse meals and has something for everyone. The dark and moody atmosphere is lightened up by the friendly

service. For those with dietary restrictions, Noco Provisions has a strong commitment to offering gluten-free, vegan, and other allergy-friendly options, even offering to make accommodations to other meals to best suit its customers. One favorite off the menu is the Chicken Sandwich made with Crispy all-natural chicken breast topped with white cheddar, kaleslaw & green chili aioli, on a sesame seed brioche bun served with a side of fries. Along its delicious menu are Noco’s daily specials throughout the week including 99-cent wings and $2 off Michigan draft beers & cocktails on Thursdays. This restaurant recommends that you reserve a table on its website during the busy weekend. For bigger events, Noco Provisions also provides catering.

Find good and hearty food at The Gathering Place, an establishment that makes grub that hits the spot. This restaurant is eager to provide meals that have substance like its savory salads. This breakfast and brunch spot was established

in 1987 with a menu filled with homemade items such as syrup, soups, pancakes, dressings, and bread bought locally from Van’s Bakery. Their morning special runs Monday through Friday from 6 am until 8 am which includes 2 eggs, bacon or sausage, and toast, or 1 pancake w/ bacon or sausage or 1 french toast w/bacon or sausage or hot oatmeal with brown sugar & milk, including coffee, tea or milk all for $5.19. The Gathering place also sells its own delectable homemade goods like syrup, salsa, soups, whole pies, and pounds of chicken salad, egg salad, crab salad, and tuna salad. This homey restaurant is able to provide a friendly atmosphere with a great ambiance and even better food.

Nonna’s: The Trattoria, located in the heart of Ada, serves breakfast. lunch. and dinner. The authentic European restaurant strives to utilize fresh local ingredients bursting with flavor. The

decor of the restaurant gives the cozy intimate feel of being right in Nonna’s home. The menu is full of classic Italian dishes but one that stands out is the chicken nathaniel, the entree consists of Trumpet pasta with pan-fried chicken pieces, shiitake mushrooms, pinenuts, and alfredo sauce. Nonna’s offers patio seating which pairs well with the view of the water.

Activities

Bluebird Meadow Goat Yoga offers the unique experience of enjoying nature and yoga all while hanging out with goats. Bluebird Medow invites you to join them in the outdoors to rebuild your connection with nature and make friends with the cute little animals. This intimate activity allows the participants

to relax and take a break from the ongoing chaos of life. This seasonal activity is only available should the weather permit it. Led by certified yoga instructors on the Bluebird Meadow hobby farm, this rare therapy comes with many benefits such as reducing blood pressure and improving overall cardiovascular health. These classes are for all levels with no experience required. While Bluebird Meadows does welcome families, they do ask that parents appropriately supervise their children and recommend the activity for kids no younger than 8 years old.

X-Golf is an indoor golf simulator that gives players a realistic experience. Equipped with some of the most advanced indoor golf simulators, X-Golf allows for exceptional accuracy and realism throughout the experience. With infrared lasers, impact

sensors, and advanced gaming software, X-Golf is able to provide the best virtual golfing entertainment experience possible. Services provided include virtual reality gaming, food and beverages, competitions, golf lessons, memberships, and social events. There is even an opportunity to join the X-League which holds weekly contests and gives prizes to the winners. Simulators at X-Golf are able to give a player data about their swing and ball striking, allowing them to improve their game. Players of all ages and experience levels are welcome and encouraged to visit.

The Forest Hills Public Schools Fine Arts Center was uniquely designed with state-of-the-art technology. The facility offers an environment for opportunities in the visual and performing arts such as performances produced within the school district, concerts by featured performing artists, art exhibits by local

students and artists, and even art enrichment classes for youth, adults, and seniors. The Fine Arts Center is environmentally friendly as well, certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the United States Green Building. October 30th, come to the Fine Arts Center to watch R.E.S.P.E.C.T., a musical honoring singer-songwriter Aretha Franklin with a live band and excellent vocalist.

Education

With over 10,000 students in its care, Forest Hills Public Schools prides itself on its reputation for academic excellence and ingenious programming. With small intimate classes, students are able to feel more connected to their educators. The district equips each and every student with tools to maximize

their preparation for their future. Students are given the opportunity to take advanced placement coursework and exams. The district's mission statement is as follows, “In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives”. In the Forest Hills Public School system there are three high schools, Northern High School, Central High School, and Eastern High School. Each has become acclaimed in its own right with Central High School leading the charge as #1 in Forest Hills Public Schools Ranking and 21st within Michigan. Forest Hills Public Schools were ranked 4th for the and the 2nd .