Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for Downtown Lapeer Pocket Park project

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

LANSING, Mich. – Downtown Lapeer will soon activate a vacant lot and transform it into a dynamic pocket park through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Lapeer Mainstreet DDA announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by September 21, 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: patronicity.com/lapeer.

“This pocket park has so many levels of community built into its plans, and will play a vital role in further revitalizing downtown Lapeer,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to provide resources for and serve as a partner in this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

This campaign will complete the transformation of a vacant parcel into a vibrant pocket park in Downtown Lapeer. The park will be nestled between two historic buildings—the PIX Theater and Burke’s Flowers—and will incorporate artistic and natural elements to help make the space relaxing and engaging. The pocket park will include natural landscaping, stone tables and seating, string lighting, space for public art, and a performance stage all on a natural greenspace. A notable local artist is creating a custom gated sculptural entrance to the park that will welcome visitors to the space.

“The Lapeer Main Street DDA is looking forward to this partnership with MEDC and the opportunity this grant program provides. The Public Spaces Community Places program helps to realize a project that wouldn’t otherwise be possible; a project that has been created by the community, for the community, and supported by the community,” said Lapeer Main Street DDA Executive Director Jim Alt. “The PSCP programs allows us to continue our focus of revitalizing downtown Lapeer so that families can continue to enjoy it and create positive memories for many years to come.”

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 attractive, walkable community amenities is essential to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “Adding a pocket park to downtown Lapeer’s landscape will be appealing to residents, visitors and the business community.”

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 August 2018, MEDC has provided $5,253,166 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 165 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $6.2 million raised from 31,534 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.