Facebook Event: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/676661290303503

The Palmer Park Farmers Market Manager will report to People for Palmer Park, Board President & Board Farmers Market Liaisons. 

The Palmer Park Farmers Market Manager is a part-time position with the purpose to coordinate a weekly Farmers Market and manage the daily operations of the market from setup to tear down during the day of the market. Working in partnership with People for Palmer Park (PFPP), the Market Manager will develop an outreach plan and carry out a seasonal plan for Palmer Park Farmer’s Market. The Market Manager will need to identify and solicit vendors and provide consistent and clear communication with those vendors, including getting applications completed and payments received. Vendors may include farmers, food or dessert providers, flower or plant vendors, and more. The Market Manager will also maintain state contacts, and work with PFPP on community volunteers. The Market Manager will strategize to offer experiences that promote healthy and active lifestyles in and around Palmer Park by collaborating with community partners in the area. 

Duties and responsibilities 
Primary Responsibilities: 

• Identify, solicit and get complete applications and rental fees from market vendors. 
• Periodically, recruit new vendors as stalls are available and keeps a record of goods to be sold by these vendors to provide a select variety of merchandise to the public. 
• Operate the Wednesday market from open to close early June to late September: Market setup, assigning stalls to all vendors, answering guest questions, working with volunteers. 
• Maintain good working relationships with guests, volunteers and vendors. 
• Develop a social media and market outreach promotion plan to surrounding communities. 
• Maintain all market records necessary for the market including sales, receipts, and invoices, snap benefit records and accounts, and coordinates all financial activities with PFPP. 
• Manage volunteer staffing and training: intaking new volunteer requests during the market, onboarding vetted volunteers, and performance feedback. 
• Directs the distribution/arrangement of all vehicles on the market premises or grounds. 
• Upon closing, inspect stalls to ensure vendors have left the area in a clean and orderly condition. 
• Verifies that all local, state, and federal laws are observed, all licenses and permits are valid and current for prepared food and meat vendors and maintains files of the same. 

Qualifications:

• Education: GED or higher
• Specialized Knowledge/Experience: 2+ years applied experience in agriculture, produce marketing, nutrition, dietetics, program development or other applicable fields. Preferable to have farmers market admin experience.
• Skills/Abilities: Leadership, effective problem solving, creative thinking, self-motivation, organizational skills, clear and effective communication, passion and dedication to helping others. - Generate a positive attitude over a long period of time. 
• Working conditions: This position requires regular attendance every Wednesday for market operation. You must be able to pleasantly work with the diverse guests and personalities that attend the market. Ideally, this position begins on April 15, 2022, with 12 weeks being direct management of the active market as the market does not open until early July. The remaining weeks are planning and reporting. Approximately 10-20 hours/week. 
• Physical requirements: Ability to lift 50 pounds, do repetitive tasks and stand for long periods of time. 
• Direct reports: The Market Manager reports directly to the People for Palmer Park designated board members. 

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Nikolette Barnes at info@peopleforpalmerpark.org. Application deadline extended to April 15, 2022.
 

Download a copy of this job description

SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, April 9, 2022
9:30-11:30am 

Detroit Unity Temple
17505 2nd Ave., Detroit 48203
Across from Palmer Park
Follow the PFPP signs for parking & entry

Learn about our accomplishments from the past year, and the exciting updates on our plans for the future in the park!

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS:

• Hear updates on current park improvement projects:
  Palmer Park Habitat Restoration Project, Farmers Market, Lighthouse/Log Cabin improvements and more
• Committee Reports
• Hear more about planned upcoming events:
  Palmer Park Art Fair, Log Cabin Day, Harvest Fest
• Recreational Programming for 2022 season
• Continuation of the “Rent-a-bed” program at our Urban Educational Garden
• PFPP Board update on completed projects, finances & future goals/planning
• Nominations/Election of new board members

We are seeking board of director candidates for election at this meeting. Specific areas of expertise we are looking to fill include but are not limited to: legal, marketing and communications, fund development/grant writing and a technological type expert. 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.

When Mayor Duggan first announced the preservation of the historic bandshell in his March 2021 State of the City Address with the goal of relocating it to another site, he said the city's first choice was Palmer Park (District 2)—as long as the neighbors wanted it there. The initiative was supported by Councilmember Roy McCalister Jr. and preservationists from across the region.

After a handful of 2021 online meetings and one final community meeting with District 2 representatives in August, a final vote was taken and the move to Palmer Park was approved.

Public meetings
4/17/2021 - The City of Detroit/General Services Department first presented their three location options at the People for Palmer Park Annual Meeting which sparked the first public discussion on the pros/cons, concerns and questions some of the surrounding community had about the proposed location.

5/11/2021 - The City then held another presentation and discussion on the bandshell relocation at their online April District 2 Meeting. Some support as well as some concerns arose and the three location options were again discussed. Supporters loved the possibilities of free family-friendly cultural events, while concerns about noise levels and more community engagement in planning and design process were also brought forth.

5/27/2021 - The next DISCUSSION MEETING gave members of the surrounding adjacent neighborhoods the floor to share their thoughts, questions and concerns. Supporters argued that this would be an asset to the community, an arts center and that any type of performance/music could be realistically restricted to the type that would not have higher decibel levels such as jazz, folk and classical. Those opposed were worried about establishing controls on impact to the neighborhood, City enforcement issues that are already a concern and the upkeep and maintenance responsibilities for the bandshell.

AUGUST 2021 - Kim Tandy and District 2 representatives as well as GSD/Detroit Building Authority staff held a FINAL community meeting and the community voted to approve bringing the bandshell to Palmer Park. 
Location will be on 7 Mile Road, east of Pontchartrain but closer to Woodward behind the 12th Precinct. Anticipated parking will be for 82-90 cars and 500-person capacity. It was stressed that there will be more community meetings in the future to discuss management, infrastructure and programming. Once cost is determined, the City will work with partners to manage fees associated with the move. Currently the bandshell is completely disassembled and stored at an unknown location.

About the bandshell structure:

• Heavy timber, wood bolted structure, still in very good condition. City will meet current-day building requirements, transport over to the new site and assemble with same structural integrity.
• The clapboard/plywood siding is in poor condition and will be restored with new materials to replicate.
• The move does not include the single story, back-of-house part of structure, which is also to be rebuilt. A smaller back-of-house likely that would serve the bandshell, loading for performance, storing and a green room.

 

THE PERFORMERS
​Charles & Gwen Scales Quartet
Gwen (vocals) and Charles Scales (keyboards) with drums and sax will perform an array of jazz, soulful, spiritual, and their own original music. Gwen and Charles have shared the stage with artists such as Patti LaBelle, Phyllis Hyman, Najee, and Hamilton Bohannon; and performed for Bill and Hillary Clinton,
various Detroit mayors and Michigan governors, as well as for crowds at the Detroit Jazz Festival, concerts in Japan and the United Kingdom, and regularly at Detroit Unity Temple.

Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi
Detroit-born Yale Strom (violin), Elizabeth Schwartz (vocals, baritone ukulele) and Greg Powell (bass) will perform Klezmer music, a 1000-year old Eastern European musical tradition played at Jewish weddings, parties, and holiday celebrations. It was nearly extinguished during the Holocaust. Yale is an award-winning filmmaker, violinist, composer, writer, photographer, playwright, historian, and one of the world’s leading ethnographer-artist of klezmer music. Elizabeth is an acclaimed vocalist and first woman to sing in NYC’s 125 year-old Eldridge Street Synagogue/Museum. They’ve performed throughout the U.S. and Europe in festivals, Carnegie Hall, jazz clubs, and synagogues.

SW Corner of 7 Mile and Woodward EVERY Wednesday
July through September from 4:30-7:30
Masks and social distancing encouraged

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 and more, rain or shine.

WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING ADDITIONAL PRODUCE VENDORS to round out the remainder of the season. Interested or know someone who is? Here is this year's vendor application.


Visit Palmer Park Farmers Market on Facebook and Instagram.

***NOTE - This yoga class is not to be confused with our regular weekly free yoga PFPP/Yoganic Flow classes. This is just an additional opportunity for the community to participate in another pilates/yoga experience to raise money for area organizations at a different time and location in the park.***

Detroit Girlsquad presents:
Mindful all-levels pilates and yoga session led by @jkn.pilates & @lamyraaa! Bring a yoga mat, towel, and water.

Date and time:
Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 11:00am-12:00pm
 
Location:
Palmer Park, Detroit, MI
Pontchartrain and 7 Mile
 
All proceeds will benefit the Detroit Justice Center.
 
The Detroit Justice Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm working alongside communities to create economic opportunities, transform the justice system, and promote equitable and just cities. 
 
Each day, DJC fights to reunite families, lift barriers to employment and housing, and strengthen communities by supporting small businesses and land trusts.

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

Missing those annual summer art fairs in Michigan this year?
 The new Michigan Holiday Art Fair shares the delights and creative finds of a summer art fair ONLINE this holiday season! It gives you the opportunity to buy gifts from artists who would have normally sold creative work at six Michigan art fairs.
 
Buy gifts this year (or something for yourself!) from nearly 60 artists and check out just once in the online cashier.

Artist demonstrations, virtual studio tours and art activities will take place nightly (daily on the weekend dates). Santa and Mrs. Claus and local musicians will pop in online too.

Each date between December 1-6, a portion of all sales will benefit one of 6 Detroit area nonprofits. People for Palmer Park day is Saturday, Dec. 5th so we hope you'll shop that day to support us AND some amazing artists.

http://miartfair.com