Crowdfunding campaign for the ‘Get Out and Play’ project launches

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC and MSHDA’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Grand Traverse County Civic Center Park in Traverse City will soon receive a safe, accessible playground structure with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Department announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.  

“We are pleased to partner with the community to create a new and vibrant space for play,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “The Public Spaces, Community Places program was developed to resource public placemaking initiatives like this.” 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by August 31, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC and MSHDA’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: http://www.patronicity.com/getoutandplayproject.

“The Grand Traverse County Civic Center Park will be a community asset and a special place for play and engagement for local families and visitors to the area,” MSHDA Executive Director Kevin Elsenheimer said. “It will reflect the region’s dedication to a high quality of life, promote wellness and create memories for years to come.” 

This crowdfunding campaign willbring to life a citizen-envisioned play area that has been in progress since its predecessor, Kids Kove, was removed due to safety issues. The Parks Department surveyed the community about design, theme, components, wishes, and wants for a new playground. The results are a design imagined through a collaborative effort, based on the collective desire to bring a safe, inclusive, and family-centered structure again to the region. 

 “We are honored and ecstatic to work with the MEDC and MSHDA to bring the ‘Get Out and Play’ project to life,” said Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Director Kristine Erickson. “A new playground at the Civic Center means so much to the neighborhood surrounding the park, to our community, and beyond, and a Public Spaces, Community Places matching grant will positively influence the health and wellness of and provide engaging recreation for our children for years to come.” 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, MSHDA, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.