Sturgis launches crowdfunding campaign for new splash pad

What’s happening: The city of Sturgis is one last fundraising push away from having the funds necessary to revamp an area of its Thurston Woods Park with a brand new splash pad, including infrastructure and amenity improvements, and more. A new crowdfunding campaign — and corresponding matching grant — might help them get there.

What it is: The Sturgis Splash Pad project will feature a Great Lakes-themed, Michigan Mitten-shaped splash pad complete with water and play features, a new restroom and changing room facility, new benches and seating, sidewalk improvements, and other infrastructure upgrades. The splash pad complies with universal design standards, making the play feature accessible to all. There will be more than 20 different water elements spread across a 2,500-square-foot play area, with room for future expansion.

How they’re doing it: The city of Sturgis has already secured a $150,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and $205,000 from the Sturgis Area Community Foundation and its Newell A. & Grace A. Franks Fund and the Youth Advisory Council. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) has gotten on board to help the city raise the final $100,000 necessary to complete the project.

Public Spaces: The MEDC has accepted the Sturgis Splash Pad project into its Public Spaces Community Places placemaking program. The project has until Friday, April 15, to raise $50,000 through a crowdfunding campaign hosted on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Should they reach their goal in time, the MEDC will contribute an additional $50,000 matching grant toward the project.

Click HERE to view the project and its crowdfunding campaign online.

What they’re saying: “The Sturgis Splash Pad will offer accessible amenities that provide public recreation and capture the community’s character – modern placemaking at its best,” says Michele Wildman, MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”