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

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.

Jazz king Wendell Harrison & Tribe will bring their rich sounds to a free concert in
Palmer Park on Sunday, Aug. 18, from 4-7pm as part of a summer of art and music created by People for Palmer Park.

Wendell Harrison & Tribe with opening act: Say Less featuring Louis Jones & Jordan Anderson
Wendell Harrison is known for his high-energy and expressive playing across a range of idioms, as well as his commitment to Detroit’s music community, and his influence on the development and documentation of jazz. The legendary, celebrated saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, educator was the 2018 Kresge Eminent Artist.

Born in Detroit in 1942, Harrison spent substantial time in NY in the 60s, before returning to his hometown in 1970. Over the course of a career of prolific accomplishments, he has worked with a wide range of notable musicians, among them Grant Green, Lou Rawls, Sun Ra, Eddie Harris, James Carter, and Carl Craig.

In 1972, Harrison and trombonist Phil Ranelin co-founded Tribe, a collective that produced jazz recordings and concerts. Tribe also published a magazine that explored topics including economic injustice, school busing, abortion, and police brutality.

Harrison has made more than 20 recordings as a bandleader and appears on dozens more. In 1993, he was named a Jazz Master by Arts Midwest, and in the mid-90s he toured internationally with the Michigan Jazz Masters. Harrison continues as a leader on his own label, Wenha Records, and has taught in Detroit high schools for more than a decade and has mentored and inspired countless musicians.

Harrison was the 10th artist to receive the Kresge Eminent Artist Award, joining a group of individuals who each exhibit a lifetime of exceptional creative work and professional achievement, unmistakable impact on their art form, generously sharing their talent and expertise, and critical contributions to the vibrancy of Detroit’s cultural environment.

The free Earth Tones concerts feature jazz and improvisational music connected
to the sounds of nature through artistic intuition. They take place on the steps
the historic Palmer Park Log Cabin, just off Woodward Avenue in Palmer Park.

This is the second annual Earth Tones free outdoor concert series, a jazz and
improvisational music series connecting music-making and the sounds of nature
through artistic intuition. Each concert features two Detroit-area ensembles
including an emerging artist/group and an established artist. 

Later this summer, on September 15, harpist, singer & filmmaker Ahya Simone
with opening ensemble, the William Sun Wang Quartet will perform.

Earth Tones is a part of People for Palmer Park's Log Cabin Sundays program
which hosts free art-making, storytelling, weaving, spinning, dancing, healing,
music, food, and a myriad of family-friendly creative programs in the park.
Thanks to Detroit Regional Chamber's NeighborHUB grant, PFPP's arts & culture
team was able to fund 2 year’s worth of summertime events around the
aspiration of making Palmer Park’s log cabin a center for community art and
music. With renewed support, we hope to continue to develop these offerings in
summers to come!

More information at Eventbrite  and our Arts & Culture page.
For more information on Wendell Harrison, visit his webpage.

Freedom Arts Festival comes to Palmer Park, August 10, 2-5 pm

Internationally-acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Victor Ghannam leads an ensemble of stellar musicians of Middle Eastern descent on instruments such as kanun, oud, nay, and percussions. They will celebrate freedom, harmony and understanding at the FREE concert that will take place outside the historic Log Cabin in Palmer Park overlooking Lake Frances on Saturday, August 10, from 2-5 pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket!

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. 

Ghannam will perform on Kanun (the ancient predecessor to the piano), with Nashwan Pola on Oud (the predecessor to the guitar), Roger Kashou on Tabla, Eddy Fadel on Riq (Tambourine) and Fadi Aziz on Nay (Bamboo Flute). There will be visual artists, including a Henna artist (take some art home on your body!) and a hands-on workshop with artist Elton Monroy Duran, food vendors with Middle Eastern specialties, and much more free fun for all ages.

Victor Ghannam (Kanun/Qanun) is American born of Palestinian descent and an original founding member of the National Arab Orchestra, considered to be the premier Arab orchestra outside of the Middle East. A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist—especially the Oud and Kanun—Ghannam has a diverse musical background and versatility in many musical genres, including Middle Eastern, Flamenco, jazz, and more. He has performed throughout Europe, the Middle East, and North, Central, and South America and has toured with many of the leading recording artists of the Middle East. Ghannam “is most recognized for his dazzling improvisational taqasim which can be romantic passion, technical brilliance, creative adventure, and intense emotion,” according to Ara Topouzian, hyetimesmusic.com

As a session musician, he was a featured artist on many popular TV series of Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules: Legendary Journeys, and the Starz network hit series Spartacus.

Nashwan Pola (Oud) - is a native of Baghdad, Iraq. He is an original founding member of the National Arab Orchestra. Nathan began playing Oud at age 10, tutored in the basics by his father, a professional musician. He then joined the prestigious College of Fine Art at the University of Baghdad.

Roger Kashou (Tabla) is American born of Palestinian descent. A member of the National Arab Orchestra, he has most recently toured with the Broadway production "The Band's Visit.”

Eddy Fadel (Riq/tambourine) studied at the National Conservatory of Music in his native home of Lebanon. He has had some 30 years of performing experience with top stars of the Middle East, and is proficient on most percussion instruments.

Fadi Aziz (Nay/Bamboo Flute) hails from Baghdad, Iraq, and is considered one of the premier performers on the Nay. He is a graduate of the Institute of Art in Baghdad with honors and a featured session artist since.

Mexican visual artist, Kresge Arts Fellow and esteemed muralist who created the poster for the Freedom Arts Festival, Elton Monroy Duran will lead a hands-on art workshop for all ages to learn painting and creative techniques.

Shop with local artists and enjoy delicious food, iced teas, and coffee—many with a Middle East flair. This is a free event for all ages to enjoy.

Invite your friends and family for an enriching and fun-filled day! Free parking on Merrill Plaisance and Woodward Ave. Walk around the lake to visit the artists and vendors and enjoy the concert at the Log Cabin!

For a full list of this year's events visit the Detroit Parks Coalition Freedom Arts Festival page!

Sunday, June 9, 2024 at Palmer Park
Location: 1121 Merrill Plaisance Street Detroit, MI 48203 

Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness will be presenting their 4th Annual Palmer Park 5K Run & Walk + Yoga Event. This pride-themed event is in partnership with People for Palmer Park!

Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness was founded on the belief in making yoga and mindfulness practices accessible to all. Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness is proud to present this pride-themed event in partnership with the People for Palmer Park. Please join us for a community celebration of running, yoga, Pride Month and uplifting neighborhood Detroit Parks. 

REGISTER BY 5/14/24 FOR EARLY BIRD SAVINGS!

• Participant Registration:
  https://welcomehomeyoga.enmotive.com/events/register/2024-palmer-park-run-walk
• Volunteer Registration:
  https://welcomehomeyoga.enmotive.com/events/volunteer/2024-palmer-park-run-walk

Download this year's flier:

People for Palmer Park is searching for an Events Coordinator!

This is a part-time paid, contract opportunity
(with fun & community engagement!) 
People for Palmer Park is seeking a part-time events coordinator to assist with special events, family-friendly community festivals such as Harvest Festival, and regularly scheduled events, including Log Cabin Sundays and Earth Tones concerts. 
We are seeking a highly organized individual with good communication skills, who has event planning experience and a desire to assist two volunteer committees present great events from spring through the fall of 2024. This is a seasonal job with renewal opportunities. See full job description and event dates below.
Send resume with references to [email protected] by April 15, but sooner is best!
People for Palmer Park is a nonprofit organization that has been revitalizing and organizing programs in Detroit’s Palmer Park since 2012; it is the Adopt-a-Park partner with the City of Detroit.

More details:
Read more about our annual Events and Arts & Culture programs.

Join the People for Palmer Park as our first part-time events coordinator and assist with special events, family-friendly community festivals such as Harvest Festival, and monthly events including Log Cabin Sundays and Earth Tones concerts. 
PFPP seeks an organized, agile events coordinator to work with two volunteer committees — Arts & Culture and Events. Help to recruit day-of-event volunteers, orchestrate details in advance with PFPP liaison(s), assure that events have the resources and are thoughtfully and effectively executed. Experience with nonprofits and major events preferred. Approximately 20 - 30 hours a month, more during major events. See details and job description below.  Send resume and cover letter telling why you are interested in this role by April 15 to  [email protected] 

General Abilities:

• Experience organizing events
  • develop work plans
  • delegate responsibilities and help organize volunteers
  • work with a team
  • implement plans to present the events
  • assist with developing promotion and outreach strategies 
• Process information from multiple source, then follow timeline to achieve goals
• Clearly communicate with committee chairs, members, volunteers and the public
• Help to physically move equipment and supplies, find assistance as needed
• Self-starter; keep track of hours and tasks accomplished 
  
  

Prior to events:

• Meetings with committee leaders and chairs
• In collaboration with PFPP committee leader(s), help to determine project needs. Contact contractors, artists and vendors.
• Follow up with committee members to assure that work is getting done
• Work with PFPP chairs to complete park department and city paperwork as needed
• Communicate volunteer needs to the volunteer coordinator. Assist in recruiting.
  
  

At events:

• Coordinate transporting of owned, borrowed and rental equipment working with volunteers and committee members. Assist in assembling and setting up supplies and equipment. Lead the team to remove and return to storage following the event
• Supervise volunteers on set up, operations and breakdown/cleanup/removal
• Work with committee members to troubleshoot concerns as they come up
• Fill in gaps when needs change or otherwise necessary
• Stay until the end of the event to finish cleanup and breakdown

Post events:

• Report summaries to committees
• Notify of any needed replacement of equipment or supplies or follow-up with contractors
• Help evaluate outcomes (successes and what is in need of improvement and how to achieve best results)
• Work with committees to develop attendee surveys and help evaluate results

Hours:  

• Around 10 - 12 hours a month for the Arts & Culture Committee in May, June, July, August and September, plus another 8 - 10 hours in October. 
• Approximately 30-40 hours per major event (see below) 
• Paid:  Bi-weekly, $25 an hour,  275 hours maximum for year

Dates: 

Must be available to work these dates (some flexibility possible): 

• Log Cabin Sundays – May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15 and October 13;
  Earth Tones concerts — June 1, July 21, August 18 and September 15
• Log Cabin Day, June 30 (major event)
• Freedom Arts Fest TBA in August  (major event)
• Light Up the Cabin fundraiser TBA  (major event)
• Harvest Festival Sept. 21 (major event)