Detroit collaborative builds future leaders by introducing kids to hiking and camping
Detroit Outdoors is a collaborative network of institutions focused on expanding access to outdoor recreation.
Patrick Dunn's Latest Articles
Detroit’s privately owned parks make a big difference for their neighborhoods
Private individuals and nonprofits have established parks across the city to help advance equity, build community, provide services, and catalyze investment in underserved neighborhoods.
Metroparks to open first Detroit location with Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden
The Huron-Clinton Metroparks' robust parks system has never included a Detroit location, but that will change next year with the opening of a Metroparks-branded attraction at Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park.
How parks help to address health equity in Metro Detroit
Alongside health clinics, food pantries, and community centers, southeast Michigan's parks are increasingly becoming important hubs for advancing health equity in their communities.
$20m Oakland County project will improve parks in county’s underserved southern side
The Healthy Communities plan will bring five existing city parks into the county parks system, leading to improved infrastructure and maintenance, and support improvements at several other parks in the county.
Stewardship organizations advance equity in Detroit’s parks at a grassroots level
Park stewardship organizations help neighborhood residents to advocate for the improvements they want to see in their parks.
Metroparks aim to raise $2.4 million for swimming equity and classroom science programs
A new initiative called Metroparks and Me will fundraise for a program that offers free swimming lessons and another that provides supplemental science lessons in under-resourced classrooms.
Adaptive recreation helps people with disabilities enjoy outdoor recreation
Parks systems across Southeast Michigan are working to eliminate barriers and make outdoor recreation a more easily accessible experience for residents with disabilities.
Here’s how Detroiters are working to ensure residents benefit from the Joe Louis Greenway
A robust community engagement process is informing greenway development in myriad ways, ensuring that the greenway reflects residents' history, serves their needs, and offers them economic opportunity.
Equity initiatives seek to make Southeast Michigan parks better, safer, and more welcoming for all
Southeast Michigan parks' equity initiatives vary depending on the communities they serve, but they have similar positive results for all residents.
