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

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! 
​
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.

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.

FRIDAY, September 20, 2019
Palmer Park (near Splash Park)

Health Expo 9am-1pm
Walk or Hustle Starts at 11am

This year's annual “Strides for Seniors” Walk starts at 11 AM on Friday, September 20, at Detroit’s beautiful Palmer Park. There’s also a health expo, featuring many local organizations, from 9 AM to 1 PM
Spearheaded by St. Patrick Senior Center and Detroit Area Agency on Aging, the event is to raise funding and awareness so the Detroit-based senior centers can continue their essential work. To lend your support, simply register, show up and walk one mile or three. 
There's also a hustle dance option!

To pre-register go to www.stridesforseniors.org. 

Small steps can prevent diabetes. 
Becoming more active and losing a moderate amount of weight can help you change your risk of diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Program will help you take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes.

​Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes increases your risk for also having diabetes. If you think you’re at risk or have been told by a doctor that you have prediabetes, consider joining the Diabetes Prevention Center’s Diabetes Prevention Program at Palmer Park! 

Participants will be a part of a small, supportive group led by a trained lifestyle coach. You’ll learn about healthier eating habits, ways to be more physically active and other behavior changes over the course of 16 weekly one-hour sessions. The group will continue meeting monthly, completing a full year of the Diabetes Prevention Program. 

This program will be offered at no cost to participants, but we are requesting participation in a research study. Attend the information session to learn more.

To learn more about this life-changing program, attend the information session on Wednesday, July 10, from 10-11 a.m. at Palmer Park Community House.
The first session of the workshop begins Wednesday, July 17, at the same time and location.

​To register or for more information, visit ReadySetPrevent.org or call 800-482-1455.