The City of Detroit, Detroit Exploration and Nature Center (DEN), People for Palmer Park (PFPP) and a team of ecological experts are working together to make Lake Frances and Witherell Woods more healthy, usable, and beautiful. This team has collaborated to initiate a substantial habitat restoration initiative in Palmer Park as one of seven projects selected to receive grant funding to benefit communities and wildlife habitats in southeast Michigan by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Over the next year, we will clean up the Lake, replace invasive species with native plants, and improve walking and biking paths on the South end of the park. We will also be developing a long-term ecological restoration and management plan for the remnant woods occupying the center of the park. We have begun the detailed planning, design, permitting and an intensive community engagement process for this effort, including a public survey. We are also in the process of seeking participation from allied stakeholder groups, agencies, and institutions, all of whom are essential to the long-term success of this effort. This amazing ecological transformation in the much-cherished Palmer Park, will provide a myriad of opportunities, including education, research, public access to nature, and others.  


Watch the first meeting of stakeholders
Here is a link to the full Stakeholder Meeting #1 Zoom call held by the City of Detroit on 3/17/2021.
This presentation gives you a great overview of the Lake Frances project and how it started and what the plans are for this beautiful habitat in Palmer Park. Learn then about the construction schedule, the expected activities and—very importantly—the Community engagement we hope all of you will be a part of. The presentation begins at the 01:13 mark if you'd like to skip the side discussion in progress at the beginning.

Take the Survey
The City is also monitoring this Palmer Park Habitat Restoration Project Survey and encourage all to give their input. Your participation in the survey will help us design our programming, outreach strategy, and communication materials. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

​Zoom Link:
https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/rec/share/ohCbkgORqoA5eq4cQXNacYEzBRVhTPrkykXvBSncLBFZbBQyZFO6EhjRI0SQEXBJ.yxosWcgkZOU1gglM

SAVE THE DATE!
​Saturday, April 17, 2021
10:00am - Meeting & Committee Presentations
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PUBLIC LINK TO ZOOM MEETING: https://bit.ly/3ffx6Km

Thanks to the amazing work and support of District 2 Councilman Roy McCalister Jr. and the City of Detroit, the historic State Fairgrounds bandshell will be relocated a half mile south to Palmer Park.  

“By preserving the bandshell it saves a piece of Detroit history,” said Rochelle Lento, president of People For Palmer Park. “This is a great opportunity to continue the redevelopment and activation of Palmer Park that the City and People for Palmer Park have collaborated on for the past ten years, and to resurrect a positive attribute for the surrounding communities in an exciting way.”

As the new Amazon fulfillment center and indoor transit center for the Detroit Department of Transportation started to take shape at the longtime site of the Michigan State Fairgrounds, plans to demolish the 83-year old bandshell were not well received by the public and after some media attention, and discussions with Amazon, the City and People for Palmer Park, plans were made to disassemble and move the bandshell to its new home in Palmer. Proposed location is in the old back nine of the former public golf course no longer in use, just north of our community garden.

This move will not be done without community input and the City of Detroit and its Department of Neighborhoods will be engaging residents and community organizations like People for Palmer Park closely on this project as funds are raised and design and location are worked out. We will keep you updated as plans progress.

In 2014, we unveiled our Master Plan Proposal for Palmer Park, and having a bandshell was one part of the vision. Being able to repurpose the existing one is an incredible turn of events for our organization and the potential to see families gathering for cultural events here is exciting.

For more on the bandshell move: 
https://detroitmi.gov/news/councilmember-mccalister-mayor-duggan-preserve-historic-state-fairgrounds

Park construction projects continue as part of the planned City of Detroit improvements.
Along with the continued work on the shelter/pavilion, there is now a state-of-the-art fitness pad and brand new walkways and benches on the Woodward side of the park.

More projects in progress and planned to begin in the future:

• Picnic Shelter/Pavilion next to Lake Frances
• Volleyball Court to be rebuilt
• Baseball Diamond to be rebuilt in a new location when funds allow
• Power being pulled for more much needed lighting in the park
• Removal of the roadway that cuts through the middle of the park property near the cabin
• Removal of trees in a bad state and and effort to save the bigger healthier trees growing throughout the park
• Revitalization of Lake Frances (with National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grant funding). Begins Spring 2021

Join us for free, safe, and fun outdoor activities
(NOT JUST BASKETBALL!) in 5 city parks this summer! 
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The Pistons Neighbors Program is in Pingree, Clark, Jayne, Palmer, and Adams Butzel Parks from 7/29 through 9/23. Programs occur Wednesday-Sunday from 2-7pm. 

For the full schedule and to provide feedback, please visit www.pistons.com/neighbors or text "pistons" to 31996 to take the community survey. 

Check out the events this week. See you at the parks!

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES AT PALMER PARK:

WEDNESDAY 9/2

Games Cart - 2:00-7:00pm - Free, drop-in games, sports and fitness equipment.

YMCA SportPort Team - 3:00-4:00pm 

Detroit Pistons Basketball Clinic - 4:00-5:00pm 

Mint Art - 4:30-5:30pm - Youth teaching artists with the Mint Artists Guild lead guided art activities for kids (20 people max) . 

THURSDAY 9/3

Games Cart - 2:00-7:00pm - Free, drop-in games, sports and fitness equipment.

Live Music - 3:00-5:00pm- The Kenji Lee Band

FRIDAY 9/4

Games Cart - 2:00-7:00pm - Free, drop-in games, sports and fitness equipment.

SATURDAY 9/5

Games Cart - 2:00-7:00pm - Free, drop-in games, sports and fitness equipment.

SUNDAY 9/6
​
Yoganic Flow - 11:00am-12:00pm - Rest and relax at a beginner-level yoga flow class. Bring your own mat. 

Games Cart - 2:00-7:00pm - Free, drop-in games, sports and fitness equipment.

ArtLab J K-Pop Dance Class- 3:00-3:45pm 

EVERY DAY 9/2-9/23
Step To Greater Health Virtual Walking Club - Using the Map My Fitness app, track your walks for 21 days and make it challenging and fun with friends.

Visit our Walking page for full instructions:

Visit Palmer Park Farmers Market on Facebook and Instagram.In partnership with Eastern Market, Detroit Community Markets and the City of Detroit Parks & Recreation Department, join us each Wednesday at this lovely local market for farm fresh fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meat, cooking demos with Chef Mike, desserts and baked goods and bath/body/personal care items.

Join us for free, safe, and fun outdoor activities
(NOT JUST BASKETBALL!) in 5 city parks this summer! 
​
The Pistons Neighbors Program is in Pingree, Clark, Jayne, Palmer, and Adams Butzel Parks from 7/29 through 9/23. Programs occur Wednesday-Sunday from 2-7pm. 

For the full schedule and to provide feedback, please visit www.pistons.com/neighbors or text "pistons" to 31996 to take the community survey. 

Check out the events this week. See you at the parks!

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES AT PALMER PARK:

WEDNESDAY 8/26

Games Cart - 2:00-7:00pm - Free, drop-in games, sports and fitness equipment.

YMCA SportPort Team - 3:00-4:00pm 

Detroit Pistons Basketball Clinic - 4:00-5:00pm 

Mint Art - 4:30-5:30pm - Youth teaching artists with the Mint Artists Guild lead guided art activities for kids (20 people max) . 

As one of seven projects selected to receive grant funding to benefit communities and wildlife habitats in southeast Michigan by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, People for Palmer Park and the City of Detroit will be working to make Lake Frances and Witherell Woods more healthy, usable, and beautiful. 
​
These investments will strengthen regional resilience by installing green infrastructure, and reduce the threat of flooding and other intensifying environmental stressors. Additionally, projects will restore critical habitat for wildlife and create or enhance public access to and use of natural areas and parks across four counties. (1)

Over the next two years, we will clean up the Lake, replace invasive species with native plants, and improve walking and biking paths on the South end of the park.  We look forward to sharing more updates and getting your input throughout the project, but here's a preview of what you can expect to see happening in and around the lake. (2)

As part of a collaboration with Eastern Market and the City of Detroit, we are proud to be a part of the new Palmer Park Farmers Market which will be open every Wednesday, 4:30-7:30pm beginning July 8th through September 30th.

The Market will take place at the SW corner of 7 Mile and Woodward, at the Detroit Exploration & Nature Center. The Palmer Park Farmers Market is a member of the Detroit Community Markets and aims to make essential things accessible to the community while supporting our local growers & entrepreneurs.

Know that the market will be enforcing some very practical social distance policies to keep everyone safe.

Confirmed vendors for first market include:

• Deeply Rooted Produce
• Judella's Sweets and Treats
• McElroy Farms
• Extravagant Organics
• Detroit Garden Girl
• Pastry Luv
• Eastern Market
• CiCi's Seamoss

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS
To sign up: https://forms.gle/uHdfdQhzmjT2A7qC6

For more information and to follow the Market updates throughout the summer:

Facebook + Instagram: @PalmerParkFarmersMarket
Email: PalmerParkFarmersMarket@gmail.com

Powered by Eastern Market, Detroit Community Markets, City of Detroit Parks & Recreation Department and People for Palmer Park.