Detroit — For Sigal Hemy Spiegel, Detroit Parks Coalition’s summer programs aren’t just exciting — they’re also timely.
Spiegel, the nonprofit coalition’s executive director, announced Wednesday that her organization was investing more than $1 million in 50 Detroit parks in the form of summer programs such as clinics, classes and exercise groups. The money for the programs comes from partnerships with organizations including The Kresge Foundation, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Family Foundation and the Gilbert Family Foundation.
As Detroit officials grapple with how to give youth constructive opportunities and activities in the city, Spiegel said the summer programs “one hundred thousand percent” tie into the city’s mission.
“Our parks are places where everyone belongs, everyone has something to do, and a lot of this programming is geared towards youth. It starts right at the end of the school year, and it ends at the and of August,” Spiegel said her organization’s announcement Wednesday at Chandler Park in Detroit.
The Detroit Parks Coalition, which formed in 2010, is an alliance of community members and parks leaders working to support the city’s parks. The coalition, which doesn’t receive any funding from the city, develops and facilitates citywide parks programming, raises money for park improvements, and supports community organizations that care for Detroit’s parks.
Wednesday’s announcement about new programming comes less than two weeks after two “teen takeovers” brought hundreds of youth to downtown Detroit earlier this month, leading to fights and a nonfatal shooting.
The takeovers have prompted city officials, including Mayor Mary Sheffield and Police Chief Todd Bettison, to examine how to engage youth. Efforts include the city’s new six-point Occupy the Summer safety plan, which includes expanded youth programming and extended recreation center hours.
Asked Wednesday if the Parks Coalition has had any discussions with Sheffield’s office about youth engagement, Spiegel pointed out many of the summer programs are part of the Occupy the Summer calendar.
“That’s very intentional,” said Spiegel. “We know that parks are places where people are already coming and that they’re awesome, safe, healthy outlets.”
Among the programs funded by the $1 million are basketball clinics, dance classes and visual arts activities put on by the Pistons Neighbors Program at 17 city parks. The Detroit Pistons Foundation has refurbished 60 basketball courts throughout the city.
“We always knew that this was more than the courts,” said Program Coordinator Micaela Reardon at Chandler Park on Wednesday. “It was about creating opportunity, building connections and giving Detroiters spaces to feel inspired and empowered.”
Other programs include We Walk Detroit at 10 parks and Yoga in the Parks at 11 parks. Spiegel also said some parks will feature puppet shows and arts and crafts for the younger youth.
Ryan Myers-Johnson, executive director of Sidewalk Detroit and the parent of a 5-year-old, said people in the city depend on the parks to have programming for youth.
“I’m just really proud of the work DPC is doing in the city of Detroit to really step up and provide activities for kiddos,” she said.
The Detroit Parks Coalition announced its summer programs exactly a week after Detroit officials announced its bankruptcy case was closed. One of the consequences of the 2013 bankruptcy was the closure of several city parks.
While Spiegel said the city’s parks budget has grown in recent years, City Parks Planner Juliana Fulton said the coalition’s work is still important.
“The work that our adopted park stewards, our programmers and our funders do is really critical for our parks to be all that they can be for residents,” said Fulton.
“The parks are coming a long way, and we’re just getting started,” said Spiegel.
A list of Detroit Parks Coalition programs can be found at www.detroitparkscoalition.com/events.
mbryan@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Parks Coalition unveils $1 million in new summer programs at city parks
Reporting by Max Bryan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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