Crowdfunding campaign launched for “Innovation Hills Playground” Project in Rochester Hills

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

LANSING, Mich. – Rochester Hills will soon gain an interactive, inclusive playground for its new Innovation Hills park through a crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and city of Rochester Hills 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 May 31, 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/IHplayground.

“Innovation Hills will be a one-of-a-kind park in Rochester Hills, and this playground will provide an inclusive outdoor experience within the park that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this collective effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

This campaign will create a playground in Rochester Hills’ new Innovation Hills park that is uniquely designed to incorporate the surrounding natural beauty as well as features that allow it to be enjoyed by people of all ages with a variety of physical and mental abilities. As the first new city park in 25 years, Innovation Hills is a collaborative effort of Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett’s office, nonprofits, the Rochester Community School District, neighbors, and the Mayors’ Institute on City Design that is intended not just for residents of Rochester Hills, but for the whole region.

“We are thrilled to have this chance to not only engage the community, but also double their dollars through this crowdfunding campaign,” Barnett said. “We look forward to bringing this incredible vision to life this summer.”

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.

“The Michigan Municipal League is a firm believer in improving the human experience in our communities,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “That’s what this project does. With the support of the Rochester Hills community, it will create an experience to play, relax, and exercise in a way that will be a source of pride for years to come.”

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 March 15, MEDC has provided nearly $8.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 264 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $9.6 million raised from 46,958 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.