This series explores how parks serve as engines of exploration, education, play, and equity. It was started by Oakland County Parks and Recreation, Wayne County Parks and Recreation, Huron-Clinton Metroparks, City of Detroit, and Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and is currently funded by Huron-Clinton Metroparks and the City of Detroit.
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.
Park stewardship organizations help neighborhood residents to advocate for the improvements they want to see in their parks.
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.
Parks systems across Southeast Michigan are working to eliminate barriers and make outdoor recreation a more easily accessible experience for residents with disabilities.
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.
Southeast Michigan parks' equity initiatives vary depending on the communities they serve, but they have similar positive results for all residents.
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