Crowdfunding campaign launched for the Window on the Waterfront (WOW) Nature Play Park project in downtown Holland

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

 

LANSING, Mich. – A new family-friendly, state-of-the-art, play-and-learn nature park will soon be located within downtown Holland’s Window on the Waterfront Park with the help of a crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the nonprofit ODC Network 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 July 19, 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/wowplaypark.

“This project will bring a vibrant, inclusive playground to downtown Holland, providing an engaging space for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

 

The WOW Nature Play Park will bring a one-acre central greenspace and play area to downtown Holland’s Window on the Waterfront park, where visitors already enjoy the existing amenities including tulips, Macatawa River walkway, soccer fields, and view of the old windmill. The new play space will include climbing structures, slides, fully accessible walking paths, creative play areas, an amphitheater and pavilion, greenspace and abundant landscaping, and adjacent parking.

Currently, there is not a playground within a 20-minute walk from downtown. Adjacent to Holland’s downtown, the WOW Park will also serve residents of nearby senior living facilities Freedom Village and the Warm Friend. Furthermore, the WOW Park's 6th St. location makes it accessible from all directions and the greater Holland community.

“We are grateful that MEDC has accepted our WOW Nature Play Park to participate in the Public Spaces Community Places program. Holland has always had the vision and goal to be the best community to live, work, play and learn. It has been in our DNA to work together to get better wherever we can,” said ODC Network CEO Travis Williams. “Now, with the MEDC partnership and its match of our community fundraising for the WOW Park, we are confident we can build this new state-of-the-art amenity which would help carry our downtown to the next level of greatness and provide hours of nature play for families in our community. Thank you MEDC, city of Holland and GMB Architecture/Engineering.”

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 building community wealth in ways that enhance the human experience for everyone,” said Dan Gilmartin, League’s CEO and Executive Director. “Creating this new WOW Park will definitely improve the experience for all living in and visiting Holland. That is what community wealth building is about.”

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 April 28, 2021, MEDC has provided more than $8.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 267 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $9.8 million raised from 47,364 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.