Crowdfunding Campaign Launched to Complete Swain Memorial Park Playground Project in Brooklyn

$17,500 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Kiwanis Club of Brooklyn is collaborating with the Kiwanis Club of Brooklyn Foundation to revitalize the playground in Swain Memorial Park, in the Village of Brooklyn. The current play space has outdated and unsafe play equipment that needs to be brought up to ADA compliance and safety for future generations to enjoy. This effort will be funded through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Kiwanis Club of Brooklyn Foundation announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $17,500 by October 19^th, 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/swainpark. 

“This new playground will ensure that generations in the Brooklyn community have a space to gather and spend time,” 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.” 

The campaign will complete the playscape with new play equipment and access to that equipment that is inclusive to all. Children will find their 'just right' fit on this playground as it is designed to support their physical, sensory, and cognitive needs while it provides them a world of fun to acquire new skills in all these areas. It provides them with great space to work on their socialization and self-esteem as they walk, run, roll, slide, climb, swing, and spin together at the new Swain Memorial Park Playground. 

“The development of public spaces in our communities is paramount to creating an environment where residents, businesses, and visitors want to come together to experience our small-town charm. The ability of this grant process to encourage the community to be a part of the investment only drives the sense of ownership in these dynamic public spaces,” said Matt Swartzlander, Village Manager of the Village of Brooklyn. “When organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Brooklyn provide the leadership to help bring our community together, we are all better for it.” 

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. 

“Community leaders carry the responsibility of investing in future generations,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “Children everywhere need environments where they can play and be curious. The League is proud to support these improvements to the Swain Memorial Park Playground that prioritize the safety and inclusion of all.” 

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 7, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $13 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 387 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $14.9 million raised from 72,583 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.