Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for “Pavilion Area at Diamond Trail Park” Project in Sandusky

$15,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Diamond Trail Park, home of the one-mile walking path in Sandusky, will gain ADA-compliant picnic tables and other enhancements to its pavilion through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign. The campaign, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity, was announced today by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and city of Sandusky.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $15,000 by November 14, 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/Diamond.

“Enhancing public spaces and making them fully accessible to all members of the community and visitors is essential to vibrancy and inclusion,” said MEDC Executive Vice President of Economic Development Incentives Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project to do just that, through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The Sandusky Park and Recreation Department is focusing on funding for new picnic tables including ADA-compliant picnic tables, trash receptacles, a message center and pet waste receptacles and landscaping for Diamond Trail Park. Currently, there are three wooden picnic tables under the pavilion that are not ADA-compliant and are in poor condition.

The new additions to the park would continue to strengthen and enhance it for the community. The additional seating at the pavilion will allow community members to be able to utilize the park to its potential. The pavilion also has free Wi-Fi, which provides many community members and students with internet resources.

“The purpose of our parks and recreation is to have an area that promotes our residents of all ages, incomes, and abilities to safely be active in our community. We want to make sure that everyone can feel comfortable with coming to our parks and taking advantage of everything that we have to offer. This project in our community will not only finish out the concepts of the pavilion and area for our citizens and guests but it will utilize the space to its potential,” said City Manager David Faber. “These features will allow all demographics and abilities to use our facilities and enjoy nature, attend events and programming, allow for homework and business access to the internet and for a place to rest while enjoying our parks.”

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 strong believer in community wealth building,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the League. “These additions to the Diamond Trail Park will add to the positive experience of those who visit the park for generations to come. Improving the human experience for all is what community wealth building is all 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, 2022, MEDC has provided more than $10.5 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 324 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $12.2 million raised from 58,024 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning our matching funds.

 

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.