Crowdfunding campaign launched for Durfee Innovation Society Playground in Detroit

$10,372 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Durfee-Central community in Detroit will gain a new and improved playspace through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and nonprofit Life Remodeled announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $10,372 by August 20, 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/playground.

“The renovation of this playground will provide a much-needed safe outdoor playspace for students and neighboring kids,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to bring this space to life and provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

This campaign will restore and complete the playground located between the Durfee Innovation Society (DIS) and Durfee Elementary-Middle School which is in drastic need of repair. Through this campaign, Life Remodeled will replace all the decaying equipment and create a safe place to play near the school. This play space will be used not only by students who attend Durfee and youth in the community, but also the children who attend after-school programming at the DIS.

“We're grateful to be partnering with Patronicity and the MEDC to restore a fun and safe place for the children in our community to play. Outdoor recreation spaces are an important part of growing up, and, especially during the global pandemic, an outdoor space allowing for social distancing is even more invaluable,” said Chris Lambert, Founder and CEO of Life Remodeled. “We can't wait to hear the laughter and see the joy on the faces of the neighborhood children who will use this playground.”

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 inviting public spaces for children and families to enjoy is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of Michigan Municipal League. “Restoring this park will be a benefit to the whole neighborhood.”

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 July 1, MEDC has provided more than $7.5 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 244 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $8.7 million raised from 44,141 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.