LANSING – The Giving Trees Park is a placemaking project in the Southwest-most part of the Core City neighborhood in Detroit that is focused on creatively addressing food-access/green space insecurities in the community by repurposing vacant lots into community hubs that host fruit trees, shade trees, green gathering spaces, and community resources.
This effort will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and collaborative local partner nonprofits Permaculture Princess and We Are The Culture Creators, announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by January 12th, 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/givingtrees.
“Creating greenspaces for community gathering and food production in our urban areas means more resilient neighborhoods that are able to provide for themselves and their residents,” 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.”
Through this campaign, the project will transform its first vacant lot into a community hub. The Giving Trees Park will be almost completely covered in trees: a mix of apple and maple, with space reserved for a small natural amphitheater for plays, performances, or lectures to be created for and by the community.
Apple trees bring the spirit of Michigan fruit production to the doors of Detroit’s inner-city community members and red maples bring all season vibrance and syrup production. The greenspace created will beautify the neighborhood and help to bring life back to vacant lots, while creating community park that facilitates gathering, simply being, creating together, and as a bonus fresh, local, nutrient-dense fruit becomes available to its community members.
“The PSCP grant allows us the grace to present an idea that we felt strongly about and then provided the support to work through it before ever submitting for approval,” said Elizabeth Stone, Director of Permaculture Princess. “You don’t often get that opportunity when applying for funding and it matters.”
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.
“The Giving Trees Park will provide the residents of the Core City neighborhood with a spot for community gathering that provides greenspace and the opportunity to teach and foster land stewardship for now and future generations,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “This is a genuine example of placemaking and designing spaces to improve the quality of life for its residents.”
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 November 8, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $13.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 395 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15.3 million raised from 73,339 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds.
