While the City of Detroit begins to take steps to define its future, existing community assets remain as important as ever to our shared quality of life. City parks, when well-maintained, have the potential to not only provide space for recreation, but also a venue for community engagement and interaction. Now, as the city works to keep parks open in the face of extremely limited resources, several community groups and other volunteer organizations have begun to form partnerships to ensure some parks move beyond survival, and begin to thrive once more.
A group of neighborhood coalitions, non-profits, and the City of Detroit General Services Division, are planning a public participatory design charrette for Palmer Park on Saturday, September 25, from 9am to 12pm at the Detroit Unity Temple, 17505 Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48203.
The event is being coordinated by Helen Broughton of the Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative, and includes contributing leadership from the 12th Precinct Neighborhood Coalition, Palmer Woods Association, Palmer Park Conservancy, Greenacres Woodward Civic Association, Bagley Community Council, Woodward Avenue Action Association 6-8 Mile, and the University District Community Association. Hamilton Anderson Associates (HAA) has provided pro-bono design and planning services to assist the civic associations in outlining the charrette format, goals and core presentation.
The event is designed to provide the public an opportunity to shape the future of the park, with topics ranging from long-term planning, preservation and programming, to necessary maintenance, and the reorganization of the Palmer Park Conservancy. This is a unique opportunity for committed citizens to come together, sharing insights and hopes for the future of one of Detroit’s oldest and most notable parks.
For additional information, contact 313-394-1034.
