Crowdfunding Campaign Launched to Complete the Retro Play Park in Detroit

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

 

LANSING, Mich. – The nonprofit NW Goldberg Cares is creating the RETRO PLAY PARK in the NW Goldberg neighborhood of Detroit. This project will transform a vacant lot into a timeless play space and become the epicenter of safe and non-sport play for the community and the surrounding neighborhoods. In the late 90s and early 2000s, playground games such as four-square, tether ball and hopscotch were common and the RETRO PLAY PARK is looking to bring that back. This effort will be funded through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and NW Goldberg Cares announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by Oct. 24, 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/retroplaypark. 

“NW Goldberg Cares provides neighborhood level space activation that meets the needs and wants of their community,” 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 RETRO PLAY PARK will be the seventh park as part of NW Goldberg Cares 20 BY '25 INITIATIVE - a goal to bring 20 public community green spaces to the NW Goldberg neighborhood by Dec. 31, 2025.​ This project will complete a 6175-sq.-ft. pocket park that will activate a vacant lot and transform it into a public community space with fun games for children and adults alike to play and enjoy. The funding from this campaign will be used to build out the final elements of the space including two four-square courts, two tetherball poles, two hopscotch games, a custom-designed seating area built by local Detroit fabricators Donut Shop Park, and artwork by legendary Detroit artist Ghostbeard.  

"We love the PSCP program for a multitude of reasons," said NW Goldberg Cares Founder and Executive Director Daniel A. Washington. "We are excited to bring RETRO PLAY PARK to our neighborhood in the coming months thanks to this final push of funding." 

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. 

“Children need places where they can be curious and learn about those around them and their environment,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “This investment in the NW Goldberg neighborhood will create a lasting, positive impact that the community will enjoy for generations to come. The RETRO PLAY PARK will take an unutilized space and give it purpose, which is what placemaking 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 September 6, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $13.2 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 389 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15 million raised from 72,790 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.