Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for Kohn Park in Downtown Sawyer

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

 

LANSING, Mich. – Chikaming Township and the community of Sawyer will soon transform a vacant lot in its downtown into a community hub called Kohn Park. The new park will bring a needed gathering space to downtown Sawyer, including universally accessible pathways, a sculptural art piece, a shade structure, children’s music station and native landscaping. This effort will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Chikaming Township announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $75,000 by June 2, the project will win a matching grant, with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. This project will be utilizing the PSCP Universal Design and Accessibility Funding Extension, which allows for an addition $25,000 to be raised and matched above the typical $50,000 threshold if a project is utilizing universal accessibility and design in its site plans. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/kohnpark. 

“Kohn Park is creating a space for all community users to gather and spend time in a beautiful setting,” 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.” 

Downtown Sawyer has long needed a central gathering place, and Kohn Park will fill that gap. Planned with universal design principles in mind, it will be a space where families, artists and neighbors of all abilities can come together in an inclusive environment.  

The funding from this campaign will allow the space to be fully complete with universally accessible pathways that ensure smooth, barrier-free movement for people using wheelchairs, strollers or mobility aids. The township will also install a sculptural shade structure with universal design elements, providing comfortable gathering spots with proper shading, seating at various heights and space for all users. Public art and interactive music elements, including a custom bronze sculpture by a local artist and a children’s music station with instruments that are easy to engage with for all abilities will also be installed.  

Kohn Park will have universally designed seating areas and picnic spaces with a variety of seating styles, including benches with armrests, wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and spaces for people who prefer to sit on natural elements, like boulders. The landscape will be enhanced with lush landscaping and native plants, offering a calming experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities while also promoting biodiversity and sustainability. 

Once completed, Kohn Park will support community programming like live music, community story time and cultural events, ensuring that seating, access routes and participation areas meet universal design standards. The PSCP program will complete the transformation of this empty lot into a thriving, creative space that serves our entire community—ensuring that everyone, regardless of age or ability, can enjoy and participate.  

 

“We are thrilled to be participating in the MEDC's Public Spaces Community Places program. Kohn Park will bring a much-needed gathering space to the heart of Sawyer—celebrating community, creativity and connection,” said David Bunte, Chikaming Township Supervisor. “If we reach our $75,000 goal, the MEDC will match every dollar raised, doubling the impact of each donation and making this vision a reality.” 

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. 

“Creativity, listening and inclusion by the Sawyer community and its leaders will result in a space that families and neighbors will soon say they can’t imagine being without,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “That’s the power of placemaking and working together to foster a sense of belonging for all in a community.”    

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 April 4, 2025, MEDC has provided more than $13.7 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 405 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15.8 million raised from 74,308 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.