Strides for Seniors is back with the annual Healthy Aging Expo on Friday, September 26, from 9 AM to 1 PM at beautiful Palmer Park.
Registration includes four hours of music and dance, including hustle and dance with DJ Rick Love, and Zumba by Roberto. There are also dozens of wellness exhibitors, a box lunch, a walk around one of Detroit’s most beautiful places, and prize raffles
NOTE: There will NOT be a standard Strides t-shirt, but some centers may create their own. Please check your center for details. A Strides t-shirt is NOT required for you to participate.

Strides for Seniors is a collaborative campaign of metro Detroit senior centers held during September, National Senior Center Month. Michigan’s population is the 14th oldest nationwide according to the 2021 United States Census Bureau. The month long campaign is aimed at increasing the awareness of senior resources, aging issues and the importance of funding senior programs and services.

For more information, visit https://stridesforseniors.org

The bandshell at Palmer Park opened officially on August 23, 2025 with much fellowship, community and culture. 

The City of Detroit held a grand opening celebration featuring the Detroit Parks Coalition's Freedom Arts Festival performance of "Sounds from the Park" by famed musician Marcus Elliot along with Anjelic, Bryce LP, Charles Scales and DJ Fingers. The concert was hosted by Detroit native and Grammy-nominated singer Dwele.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the bandshell restoration was a $3.56 million project which also includes new restrooms, support structures for event staff and equipment, a new paved parking lot with 60 spaces and walking paths that connect people to the rest of Palmer Park.

The bandshell originally opened in 1938 on the Michigan State Fairgrounds at State Fair and Woodward on the city’s west side. The structure became a fixture at the annual event, staying there until the fair closed in 2009. 
In 2020, the property was sold to Amazon for a new distribution center. However, there was strong community support for saving the bandshell, including a petition gathering campaign by the State Fair Development Coalition. People for Palmer Park were instrumental in finding a new home for the bandshell. The city eventually decided to move the bandshell there following an extensive restoration process.

Information on how to perform at the bandshell COMING SOON!

Parts of this post were pulled from Bridge Detroit's Cultural Canvas.

People for Palmer Park wouldn’t be what it is today without the dedication, generosity, and heart of our members and volunteers.

Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 12-4pm

To show our gratitude for all who give their time, talents, and support to the park and our community, we’re hosting a special Member & Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on Saturday, August 16. Join us from 12:00 - 5:00pm at the picnic area next to the Community House at 990 Merrill Plaisance for an afternoon of fun, food, and celebration.

This laid-back summer gathering will feature grilled food fresh off the barbecue, cool drinks, and classic yard games for all ages. Whether you’ve pulled weeds in the garden, helped at events, donated to our programs, or simply cheered us on, we hope you’ll join us for this joyful afternoon in the park. It’s our way of saying thank you — we couldn’t do it without you!

Please register (FREE!) so we can plan for enough food!

August 23, 2-4 pm at the Palmer Park Bandshell
FREE admission! 

A Knight Arts Challenge winner, the Freedom Arts Festival connects and reconnects Detroiters to their neighborhood parks. Featuring music, dance, storytelling, and art reflecting Detroit’s multicultural tapestry, the festival brings together freedom, racial justice, history, and connection to place through arts & culture.

Sounds from the Park is a set of five improvisatory pieces written by Marcus Elliot, celebrating Detroit's parks and their communities by weaving together the memories and dreams of community leaders, elders, and youth. Conceptual collaboration and community engagement for Sounds from the Park was managed by Sidewalk Detroit.

Marcus Elliot’s curated performances honor Detroit’s parks and their stewards by showcasing themes that uniquely reflect each park’s heritage and neighborhood. Composed specifically for each location, the music celebrates the parks as vital spaces for rest, recreation, and community connection. Through these site-specific works, Elliot highlights the distinct character and spirit of every park while acknowledging their shared role in Detroit’s cultural landscape.

Sunday, July 13, 1-3pm 
Palmer Park Community House & Splash Pad area
990 Merrill Plaisance St, Detroit, MI 48203

Join us for a groovin' afternoon at the Palmer Park Community House and splash pad for our first Family House Music Dance Party! Presented by People for Palmer Park's Arts and Culture Committee and Choose Better Friends Records. Featuring new music by Bale Defoe and tunes by selectors DJ Phil Minnick, J Peacock and Ryan McRay. Plus Junior Open Decks spots for budding DJs under 16. Drop in art activities led by Mint Artist Guild and food for purchase from the Tacos Hernandez food truck! 

Free and Open to the public, bring your picnic blankets and be ready to dance! 
Note: Junior Open Decks Sign up at the DJ Booth at 1pm - arrive early!

Our parks are critical to a thriving and beautiful Detroit.

Join Bridge Detroit and DPC to hear Detroit's mayoral candidate's talk all things Parks & Public Spaces! Bridge Detroit’s Bryce Huffman will moderate a forum on the issues facing Detroit’s parks.


We want to hear from park users like you!
Submit questions for Mayoral candidates by June 30th.

We are excited to share news about an extraordinary film project underway—which tells the uplifting story of the revitalization of Detroit’s essential green places, through the lens of People for Palmer Park (PfPP) and the City of Detroit, who are currently transforming Palmer Park to a new future that is truly sustainable for the next seven generations and beyond.

• People for Palmer Park has partnered with a local film production team to capture, craft, and produce a full-length documentary film about this effort, forever memorializing and sharing what it means for every Detroiter. 
• The film project is already spreading awareness and building enthusiasm for the on-going restoration effort in Palmer Park, and the potential it has for the future of Detroit as a truly green city.
  
  
  
• Our team has crafted this short 12 min sizzle reel about the film. Click the button below to watch!

100% of the film’s proceeds (and any additional support raised) go directly towards critically important on-going park restoration and long-term stewardship of the natural landscapes now being protected.

Palmer Park is a story that needs to be told…
to the people of Detroit and to the world.
This engaging, entertaining film will help more people learn about the importance/benefits of connection to nature in the city, and the novel ways that Detroit’s natural and cultural treasures are being renewed.

We have secured the highest level of talent for every element of the project, including some of Detroit’s most recognized personalities and ardent supporters. We have a number of prominent local and national contributors recruited for a film that will appeal to virtually everyone, and shed a positive, optimistic light on our City.

Partner with us in this vital work. 
Join us in telling Palmer Park’s (and Detroit’s) unfolding success story… We will be continuing the next phase of filming shortly... We are in the active, on-going process of raising the funds needed to complete and share this film while we finalize the script and filming/interview schedule. 

There are three ways you can participate: 

• Financial Support: Please consider making a donation; our most immediate need is to secure the funds to complete pre-production activities and go into production. We will then be on-track to complete the film over the summer for a national theatrical release before the end of 2025. 
  
  SUGGESTED FUNDING LEVELS
  
• $1k - Acknowledgement in the film 
• $5k - Creative input with our film production team
  
• $10k - Listed as producer in opening film credits and on movie poster
• $50k - Creative partner on the film narrative
  
   But remember, no donation is too small and ALL are appreciated!
  
  

NOTE: When donating, please leave a comment stating you
would like your donation earmarked for the FILM PROJECT!

• Tell us Your Story: We will be interviewing dozens of individuals and organizations that are part of our story… We would love to include you and/or your organization- do you have an anecdote that should be featured in our film? 
• Share with Others: Do you know other individuals or organizations that should be part of this film project?

To participate, or to learn more, please contact:
Stacy Varner, PFPP Board President - [email protected]
David Yocca - [email protected]

Our film project is built on the energy, initiative, and spirit of innovation of the amazing people of our great city…people from all walks of life who have enthusiastically and selflessly contributed their time, talent and sweat to our passionate fight to bring Palmer Park back forward to its highest potential. 

ABOUT THE DPC YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Detroit Parks Coalition (DPC) and The City of Detroit found that youth is an underrepresented demographic in our green spaces; DPC is seeking passionate and enthusiastic youth ambassadors to help bridge the gap!

POSITION OVERVIEW
As a Youth Ambassador, you will play a vital role in bridging the gap between the city's parks organizations and its younger residents. Your responsibilities will include representing youth interests on parks organizations' boards, creating engaging social content, and fostering community engagement in park activities and programs. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about parks, community engagement, and making a positive impact in their surrounding communities. This is a paid position from November 2024-August 2025 with an expected time commitment of no more than 10-15 hours per month. 

STIPEND: YOUTH AMBASSADORS RECEIVE A STIPEND OF $3500 FOR THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collaboration and Advocacy:

• Attend and actively participate in meetings of your parks organizations' boards and committees.
• Voice the perspectives and concerns of the youth regarding park facilities, programs, and initiatives.
• Collaborate with board members to develop and implement strategies that enhance youth engagement in parks.

Social Content Creation:

• Develop and manage social media content that promotes events, programs, and health benefits of parks.
• Receive workshops and training on creating outdoor and community centered media.

Community Engagement:

• Organize and host youth-focused events and activities in collaboration with the park stewards.
• Build and maintain relationships with local schools, youth organizations, and community groups to encourage participation in park programs.

Qualifications:

• Must be a Detroit resident age 15-23
• Strong interest in parks, recreation, and community engagement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and content creation tools.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Position Length: Ambassadorship is a 1 year term with an option to extend

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS OCTOBER 21, 2024!

People for Palmer Park and its Palmer Park Unleashed team are partnering with the Michigan Humane and dozens of dog-oriented vendors, trainers and experts on Saturday, September 28 from 10am-3pm to present the second annual Doggie Health & Wellness Fair. ​

Michigan Humane will provide low cost vaccinations (DHLPP, FVRCP, Rabies), microchips and health checks for the first 250 dogs for a suggested fee of $30 per animal. Bring your pet's records. For questions, call 866-MHUMANE. The event will be held on the lawn area adjacent to the Splash Park parking lot and Palmer Park Community House at 990 Merrill Plaisance, Detroit 48203

Palmer Park Unleashed, Michigan Humane and pet vendors will provide valuable information to dog owners and prospective dog owners, as well as 

• Free dog goody bags and a buffet of dog treats
• Raffle and giveaways
• A Michigan Humane learning tent with a make & take a doggie toy activity
• Yoga with Dogs from 11am-noon (with Welcome Home Yoga's Melissa & Robyn)
• Food trucks, demonstrations & more 

Partial Vendor List:

• Detroit K-9 Pet Supplies
• Premier Pet Supply
• Pet Supplies Plus
• Michigan Humane
• Swaggles
• Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness

Food Vendors:

• Chicken Head
• Penny's Bistro
• Sweet Paws Creamery (dog ice cream)

​Last August, the Palmer Park Dog Park opened and is free for all to enjoy. Located on the south side of Seven Mile Road just west of the 12th Precinct, it was opened in August. Built with funding from the City of Detroit and maintained by the City, the effort to create a dog park in Palmer Park was a community mandate and part of PFPP’s Master Plan for more than a decade. PFPP thanks the Kresge Foundation for awarding PFPP a KIP-D+ grant for community involvement and programming, and helping us present events this year, such as the Doggie Health & Wellness Fair, National Dog Day/Palmer Park Dog Park Birthday on Aug. 25, and the Doggie Halloween Fashion Parade (date to be announced).
 
Visit palmerparkunleashed.com to learn more and sign up to receive notices about dog events and updates. The PPU Dog Park committee is ongoing and welcomes you to join. Email info@palmerparkunleashed to join in.