Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for Lincoln Street Art Park and Activi-Tree Center in Detroit

$25,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Lincoln Street Art Park in Detroit will activate a vacant greenspace and create an environmental and educational learning center on its property through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and local nonprofit Green Living Science announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by October 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/gls.



“This project will create a community hub and gathering space for learning and connection,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Green Living Science together with neighboring partners Make Art Work and Recycle Here, will complete and restore the Lincoln Street Art Park and Activi-Tree Learning Center in Detroit. After years of fractured construction and the shipping container sitting dormant, this project will breathe new life into it and fulfill its purpose as an educational and environmental space.

The project will complete the shipping container learning center for events, field trips, and camps. At the greenspace in the art park, the funding will install solar panels and batteries to power the area and create pollinator gardens, seating, signage, and waste/recycling programs at the art park. This campaign will fully create a new public space in the area and foster an environment where education, art, and community converge.

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 of the importance of placemaking projects in our communities,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the League. “This project will enrich the lives of all who utilize it for generations to come. This is what placemaking is truly 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. 10, 2023, MEDC has provided more than $11.8 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 358 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $13.5 million raised from 67,117 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning 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.