What’s happening: An outdated playground in need of renovating could soon receive just that as efforts to revitalize Swain Memorial Park in Brooklyn are underway. Organizers are planning a new playground for the park, one that is not only modern and safe but also inclusive to children of all abilities.
What’s planned: The current playscape, characterized as both outdated and unsafe by the project’s organizers, will be removed. In its place will go new playground equipment that includes play structures designed to meet children’s various cognitive, physical, and sensory needs. Additional amenity upgrades planned for Swain Memorial Park include new walkways, benches, and fitness stations.
Who’s behind it: The Kiwanis Club of Brooklyn and Kiwanis Club of Brooklyn Foundation are partnering on the project, and working in conjunction with the Village of Brooklyn itself.
How they’re doing it: The Swain Memorial Park project has been accepted into the state’s placemaking initiative Public Spaces Community Places, a joint effort from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity. As part of the initiative, organizers have launched a $17,500 crowdfunding campaign on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Should they successfully reach their goal by Saturday, Oct. 19, the MEDC will contribute a $17,500 matching grant to the project.
Learn more about the Swain Memorial Park project
on Patronicity.
Why it’s important: “The development of public spaces in our communities is paramount to creating an environment where residents, businesses, and visitors want to come together to experience our small-town charm. The ability of this grant process to encourage the community to be a part of the investment only drives the sense of ownership in these dynamic public spaces,” says Matt Swartzlander, Village Manager of the Village of Brooklyn. “When organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Brooklyn provide the leadership to help bring our community together, we are all better for it.”
Swain Memorial Park is located at Tecumseh and River streets in Brooklyn.
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