Crowdfunding campaign launched for “Grass Lake Events Park” project

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

LANSING, Mich. – Grass Lake will create a vibrant park and events space through the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Grass Lake Farmers Market, and The Village of Grass Lake announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by March 15, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: http://www.patronicity.com/grasslake.

“This project will create a much-needed gathering space within an active and involved community,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “The Public Spaces Community Places program is meant to meet communally demanded needs and we are pleased to provide resources for and serve as a partner in this effort.” 

Funding raised during this campaign will activate a vacant space in a central and connected location in the village into a well-used and loved events park. Specifically, this campaign will allow the completion of the events pavilion by finalizing the electrical grid, ceiling, and brick pillars, install public restrooms, and beautify the park with completed landscaping, including shade trees, bike racks, and benches. The park will become home to at least 24 farmers market booths, covered outdoor craft markets, outdoor concerts, outdoor weddings, reunions, family picnics, civic and church functions, Movies Under The Stars, Winterfest activities, and more. 

“We are thrilled to join the Public Spaces Community Places program. Our first step is partnering with Patronicity to raise the funds needed to complete the Grass Lake Events Park,” said Britt Keene, DDA board member and owner of the Roaming Goat. “This park will stand as a community hub for events, meet ups, and more. Help us continue to make Grass Lake a great place to call home by contributing to the completion of the Grass Lake Events Park!”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which 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, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“Creating places where people will want to gather and enjoy is an essential element to successful placemaking projects,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “The effort to create this park and event space in Grass Lake does that. With the public’s support this park can become not only an economic driver for the community, but also a source of pride for the Grass Lake area for years.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of October 31, 2017, MEDC has provided $4,117,333 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 143 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with nearly $5 million raised from 25,980 individual donors.

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.