PEOPLE FOR PALMER PARK - People for Palmer Park

"A park for the good of everyone."
~Senator Thomas W. Palmer

In our minds, those words from Senator Palmer indicated that Palmer Park is a park for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or religion. As an organization, People for Palmer Park strives to serve the entire community in a sincere, strong and positive manner and to provide a safe, recreational space for all people. It is of great importance for us to listen to each other and assure that Palmer Park provides a beautiful green space for all to enjoy!

With the threat of park closings and budget cuts by the city, the People for Palmer Park (PFPP) arose from members of the community who love Palmer Park for the gem it was, is, and can be.

A relatively new group, PFPP is a 501(c)(3) organization. PFPP functions as a membership organization and new members and volunteers are necessary and welcome! Core members of the PFPP include residents and representatives from a variety of neighborhood and community organizations.

We believe that with the collective energy, efforts, and talents of the people who use and love the park, it can be revitalized to its fullest potential and restored to what Senator Palmer envisioned when he donated the land for the park in the late 1800s: “a park for the good of everyone.” Palmer Park is comprised of 296 acres of lawns and historic woodlands, tennis courts, splash park, hiking and biking trails, Lake Frances, a historic log cabin, and more. With continued city budget cuts and limited financial resources, the city leadership encouraged creative solutions from citizens to keep our parks alive and healthy. People for Palmer Park accepted this challenge! We can design the park for us, the people who use the park.

We are committed to the preservation, recreation, and revitalization of Palmer Park, for the good of all. Our vision is to create an urban oasis, regional destination, and daily recreation site that will promote an active and healthy community. Our guiding values include preservation of park resources; restoration and preservation of the park’s history; equal benefit and access to the park; creation of a safe park environment; responsiveness to park users and the community; timeliness in our actions; and collaboration and cooperation with city, community, and stakeholders.

Beyond the restoration, preservation, and beautification goals, PFPP continues to develop public programming that draws on the invaluable resources in Palmer Park and provides education, recreation, and volunteer opportunities for children, teenagers, adults, seniors, families, community organizations, and schools.

Our Master Plan provides a roadmap and guiding principles for the future development of Palmer Park and will provide a valuable tool for future planning and fundraising to make dreams become a reality in Palmer Park.