Special celebration for the public on Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Join us for this opening day to celebrate and BRING YOUR CHESS PIECES!

In conjunction with Sit on it Detroit and Young Detroit Thinkers, People for Palmer Park (PFPP) will reopen “Chess Row” at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 27th. After years without this popular activity in the park, the community will once again see rows of chess tables in the beautiful southeast end of one of Detroit’s most vibrant green spaces, Palmer Park.
 
At the August 27 reopening, members of Young Detroit Thinkers, an award-winning chess team that teaches chess to young people while at the same time instilling life skills and values, will be present from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. to teach kids the game and challenge them to matches. 
 
The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
 
“We have a partnership with Young Detroit Thinkers, an organization dedicated to teaching young people the skills to play chess. We plan to work with the organization’s president, Kevin Fite to bring chess players to Palmer Park, and even host a tournament one day soon,” stated PFPP board member, Lee King.

“Both Sit On It Detroit and Young Detroit Thinkers are key partners in assisting with the revitalization of Chess Row, another step toward  improving Palmer Park and bringing youth to the park for fun and positive, educational experiences.”
​LOCATION: Chess Row is at the SE end of Palmer Park, near Merrill Fountain, behind the Tennis Courts. 
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WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2016 
LOCATION: Palmer Park, mostly in area near the Splash Park, and baseball on the diamond.
RAIN DATE: Saturday, June 4, 2016

People for Palmer Park will be hosting a Recreation Event Saturday, May 21st to showcase its many FREE recreation programs AND Urban Educational Garden. All of our program instructors for yoga, t'ai chi, walking, biking, baseball and tennis will all be at the park in hour long shifts beginning at 9am to answer questions, provide demos and introduce everyone to all that they have to offer this spring, summer and fall at Palmer Park. We will also have official PFPP Bike shirts ($15), Yoga tanks ($10) and T'ai Chi shirts ($10) for sale as well. All proceeds to People for Palmer Park.

Our Farm & Community Manager, Lindsay Page will also be at the Urban Educational Garden (near the Splash Park) to kick off volunteer days. She'll be there to answer questions, let you know our growing season plans and get you involved with our annual volunteers from Home Depot who will be on hand to help us build even more raised beds, a compost station and a greenhouse. You'll see this activity May 20th and May 21st at the garden, and anyone is welcome to join in! 

If you have been hesitant to check out one or more of our recreation programs or volunteer in the garden, or not sure the level of activity each provides, this is your chance to come meet all the instructors who volunteer their time all season to bring Detroit such great, healthy and FREE classes. We hope to see you there!
See the schedule for exact times below.

Most importantly, we wouldn't be able to provide these terrific FREE programs, without your support. If you haven't donated to our organization or have not yet become a member of People for Palmer Park, please consider doing so today. We look forward to seeing you out in the park soon!

Recreation Fair SCHEDULE
Yoga:          9:00am - 10:00am   (location - area near the splash park)
T'ai Chi:      10:15am - 11:15am (location - area near the splash park)
Walking:     11:30am -12:30pm   (Meet - area near the splash park)
Biking:         1:00pm - 2:00pm     (Meet - area near the splash park)
Baseball:     ongoing throughout the day  (location: baseball diamond)
Tennis:        12:00p - 3:00pm         (location - area near the splash park)
Urban Garden Volunteering ... open to everyone ALL DAY! 

Our sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Joe Abdella of the Detroit Mounted Police. He was extended family to People for Palmer Park. He suffered a massive heart attack and died at the Mounted Police offices on Friday 8/14. Sergeant Abdella has been an incredible support to People for Palmer Park and we are greatly saddened by his death and keeping the Abdella family in our thoughts. He brought great joy at our recent Log Cabin Day and will be missed by many.


Visitation services are Monday and Tuesday evening and funeral service is on Wednesday. 

The People for Palmer Park annual membership meeting on Saturday, April 11 will share big plans and small plants.

Plans to be revealed include Log Cabin stabilization and new bathrooms in several locations. The tennis courts will be resurfaced this year, and four children’s courts will be added. This work will be planned and completed by the City of Detroit General Services Department. 

Amaryllis plants, grown by the Detroit General Services Department, are gifts to the first  75 members who show up or donate $25 or more at  the meeting Saturday morning, April 11 at Detroit Unity Temple.

"The transformation of Palmer Park has continued with a new playscape for children, new streetlights, the return of the Palmer Park Art Fair, an urban garden area and enhanced recreational programming – all in 2014. We are very grateful for the partnership and support we have with both  the City of Detroit Recreation Department and the General Services Department.  Join us April 11th to learn more and get involved in this park resurgence!” said Rochelle Lento, president of People for Palmer Park.  

All are invited; all are welcome to join; only members can vote at the meeting.

People for Palmer Park and Integrity Shows also will share details and work by some artists who will appear in the Palmer Park Art Fair May 2 and 3. 

Members also will review the nonprofit organization's finances and elect board members.
PFPP directors will give an update on the master plan, which was unveiled last fall, and will answer questions.

AT A GLANCE People for Palmer Park Annual Membership Meeting

• Who:  Members, sponsors and guests of People for Palmer Park
• What: People for Palmer Park Annual Meeting
• When: Saturday, April 11,  9:30 - coffee and refreshments, 10 - 11:30 meeting and questions 
• Where: 17505 Second Avenue (just south of Palmer Park) Detroit, MI 48203 

For media only:  For more information, contact Rochelle Lento 313-727-9925 or rlento@dykema.com 

Learn about our accomplishments from the past year, and the exciting future for the Log Cabin, Tennis Courts, Community Center, walking trails and much more!

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS:

• Election of New Board Members for 2015
• 2014 in review including financial report
  
• Beautification/Preservation: Log Cabin Stabilization update, Urban Garden Expansion, Butterfly Garden + Willow Tunnel, Apples, apples + more apples!
• Recreation for Spring/Summer: Baseball, Biking, T’ai Chi, Tennis, Yoga + more...
• Marketing + New Website update 
  
• Capital Improvements: Tennis Court reconstruction + Pool House renovation
• Upcoming Events in 2015 
  

Also... the first 75 members or those who contribute $25 to People for Palmer Park will get a free amaryllis flower for planting! 

We are seeking board of director candidates for election at that meeting. If you would like to get more involved as a member of the Board (you must be a current PFPP member), you can find more information by going to our member page where there is a link to our membership application. 

For a list of current Board and Committee members, visit our Board/Committees page.

You may also download our annual meeting flier below to help us spread the word!