The Skinner Playfield adjacent to Denby High School in Detroit may be renovated into a complete park to service the community with help from a $50,000 crowdfunding effort.
The Michigan Economic Development Corp., Michigan State Housing Development Authority and Detroit-based nonprofit Life Remodeled announced Thursday that they will participate in the Skinner Park-Life Remodeled project. The project will be funded through a crowdfunding campaign offered through the Michigan-based platform Patronicity.
The goal is to raise $50,000 by May 10; if that is achieved, the project will win a matching grant from the MSHDA and MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places Program. As of Thursday, $2,000 has been raised.
“The renovations to the current Skinner Playfield will result in a beautiful public park for the students at Denby to really be a part of,” MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki said in a news release. “The Public Spaces Community Places initiative allows residents, businesses, and others to harness their pride in their community and be a part of its transformation.”
Life Remodeled will bring together thousands of volunteers and other resources to execute the project, according to the release. Currently, the Skinner Playfield consists of a playscape, walking track and a small number of apple trees. Once it is finished, the park will include two basketball courts, a volleyball court, pickleball court, a mixed-use football/soccer field. It will be renamed Skinner Park.
The project was created by Denby High School students through a community development and blight removal part of their curriculum, according to the release. This idea was selected by Life Remodeled to receive financial support and resources.
“What excites me even more is the fact that Denby High School students designed it,” Life Remodeled CEO Chris Lambert said. “Bringing in the community to help fund it through the PSCP program, as well as leveraging thousands of volunteers at Life Remodeled, will show what can happen when everyone comes together.”
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, MSHDA, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity that allows residents to use crowdfunding for development projects in their communities. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at patronicity.com/puremichigan.
