Crowdfunding Campaign Launched to Give New Life to Fantasy Forest in St. Johns

$75,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The St. Johns Area Community Fund is spearheading the final fundraising for a dramatically new version of the beloved Fantasy Forest playground. This is a collaborative project between St. Johns Area Community Fund, the City of St. Johns, the St. Johns Rotary, and the Kiwanis 707 Club to bring the new playspace to completion. This effort will be funded through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the St. Johns Area Community Fund announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $75,000 by October 3^rd, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. This project will be utilizing the PSCP program’s Universal Design and Accessibility Extension, which allows for an additional $25,000 in matching funds if the project meets the standards of Universal Design and Accessibility. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/fantasyforest. 

“This playspace will maintain a beloved community asset while making it more modern and inclusive to all,” 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.” 

Fantasy Forest 2.0 updates a recreational jewel in St. Johns' City Park, not only for local children, parents, grandparents, and caregivers, but for those around the region. It brings better health and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors, aids in attracting and retaining young families, and adds another stone to a foundation of community pride.  

The new structure recognizes the effort of the original Fantasy Forest volunteers and donors, while honoring future generations of the community. The project includes universally accessible play structures and surfacing and separate play areas based on age and activity while occupying the land area of the existing playground. It will maintain the existing forest surrounding the fantasy play structures and add lighting, parking, and respite spaces for caregivers as well.  

“Our vision of a new, universally accessible playground is clearer now with the award of an MEDC Public Spaces Community Places matching grant,” said John Sirrine, Volunteer Executive Director of the St. Johns Area Community Fund. “When we reach our $75,000 goal, donations are doubled with the grant. A fantastic way to finish off community fundraising for this generational project!”  

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. 

“This project is a great example of communities across our state investing in aging infrastructure,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “These improvements will ensure that the Fantasy Forest continues to be a beloved place in the St. Johns community. They are being intentional in their goal to provide recreation for all by increasing safety protocols, improving accessibility, and providing space for loved ones and caregivers.”  

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 August 1, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $13 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 386 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15 million raised from 72,526 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.