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!

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. 

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.

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 extends its gratitude not only to Council Member Whitfield-Calloway, but to Mayor Duggan, City of Detroit COO Brad Dick, and City of Detroit Director of General Services Dept Crystal Perkins. ​