Crowdfunding campaign launched for ‘Volunteers Community Park Picnic Shelter’ project in Williamston

$29,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

 

LANSING, Mich. – Williamston will soon complete its renovation of Volunteers Community Park with a new picnic shelter, seating, and walkway that will be made possible through a crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Williamston Area Beautification Fund, and Friends of Williamston Parks announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $29,000 by October 22, 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/williamston.

“With the installation of this picnic shelter, Volunteers Community Park will be fully renovated into a new gathering space 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 project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Volunteers Community Park lies in the heart of Williamston and had been in need of renovation for safety and better use. In 2019 the Williamston Area Beautification Fund and Friends of Williamston Parks teamed up to revive Volunteers Community Park by constructing a new playground to complement the existing basketball courts. Now it is time to complete the revival by creating a new picnic shelter, seating, and providing an accessible walkway from the picnic shelter to the playground area.

"The Williamston Area Beautification Fund and Friends of Williamston Parks are grateful and excited for the opportunity to work with the MEDC on this fundraising effort. The Public Spaces Community Places program will help us maximize the Williamston community's dollars and make our vision for Volunteers Community Park as a true gathering space a reality,” said Earl Wolf, president of the Williamston Area Beautification Fund. “With every dollar being doubled by the MEDC, we hope to reach our goal of $29,000 raised and install the new picnic shelter in Spring 2022."

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 build on existing assets to enhance the human experience for everyone,” said Dan Gilmartin, the League’s CEO and Executive Director. “Making significant improvements to Volunteers Community Park does both. With the support of the Williamston area community, this effort will improve the human experience for everyone for years to come. 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 Aug. 31, 2021, MEDC has provided more than $9 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 290 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $10.5 million raised from 50,104 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.