Crowdfunding campaign launched for Chandler Park Skatepark in Detroit

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

 

LANSING, Mich. – Chandler Park in Detroit will soon gain a state of the art skatepark through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Chandler Park Conservancy announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by January 29, 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/skate.

“Chandler Park is a regional asset that deserves investment and development to maintain its integrity and use, and this new skatepark will be a fantastic addition that can be enjoyed by the entire community,” 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 complete the skatepark which is a collaboration of partners including the Tony Hawk Foundation, Find Your Grind, SITE Design Group, Hardcore Skateparks, and the Chandler Park Conservancy. These groups have been working together to create an environmentally safe space for skateboarders, bikers, scooters, and others. The design of the park will be based off of the natural environment found in Chandler Park, and the skatepark will feature terrain designs for traditional and street type style of skateboarding.

The thought process for developing a skatepark also included input from the General Service Department of the city of Detroit, along with residents and local stakeholders. Skateparks build and sustain healthy communities. They also assist in reducing illicit behavior, providing a safe environment for skateboarding, reducing damage to private property, boosting the economy, and benefitting physical and mental health.

“Chandler Park Conservancy is incredibly appreciative of MEDC for supporting our organization through their Public Spaces Community Places program. This matching grant program will allow us to raise the last set of funds that are needed to make our state-of-the-art skatepark a reality,” said Alex Allen, CEO and director of Chandler Park Conservancy. “We could not accomplish our goal to provide a unique and safe space for beginner and skilled skateboarders to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, or build communities without their contributions.”

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.

“Reimaging spaces and infrastructure that encourage community connection is critical to placemaking and building community wealth,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “This project fits that bill and we look forward to celebrating with Detroit when this development is added as an enhancement to their public spaces.”

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 Nov. 30, 2020, MEDC has provided more than $8 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 256 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $9.3 million raised from 46,045 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.