Presented in partnership between the Detroit Parks Coalition, Detroit Pistons Foundation, and City of Detroit Parks & Recreation Division, the Pistons Neighbors Program brings fun and accessible recreational programming to parks throughout Detroit. Through the Neighbors Program, DPC will bring pop up programming and staff to your park, free of charge. Our host partners:

• Work with us to select appropriate and relevant programs for your park–from sports, exercise, and healthy food to reading and arts and culture.

• Help us understand what days and times your park would most benefit from additional programming.

• Promote all programming to your community. A stipend will be provided for this work. 

The 2026 Pistons Neighbors Program will take place from June 15 - August 14, 2026. All programming must occur during this time frame.

Applications for the Pistons Neighbors Program are due on March 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified of selection by April 6, 2026.

WHO MAY APPLY

• Applicants must be community-led organizations (for example, block clubs or CBOs) who care for and/or provide programs in a Detroit park or greenspace. 

• Parks do not need to be city parks, but must be open for public use. If stewarding a City of Detroit park, applicants must have completed an application for the Adopt a Park program. 

• Applicants need not be 501c3 organizations, but may not be for-profit businesses. Organizations must have an organizational bank account and be able to complete a W9 to accept regrant funding.

• Organizations that provide programs that are not affiliated with a specific park should not use this form to apply. If you wish to provide programming as part of the Neighbors Program, please contact us. 

• All programming must be free, drop-in, and open to all. Programming may be recreational, educational, cultural, or environmental in nature. Religious or political programming is not eligible. All programs must take place onsite in the selected parks.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Selected parks will be spread out geographically throughout the city. It is our intention to spread resources between as many parks and organizations as possible. 

• Applicant parks need not be owned or operated by the City of Detroit. However, a majority of the parks selected will represent city parks and and highlight Detroit Pistons basketball courts (see map).

• Any proposed programming must match with a park’s amenities. For example, all basketball clinics must take place on courts.

In partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, DPC will award grants of up to $20,000 and minigrants of up to $5,000 for organizations to host fitness, physical activity, and/or healthy eating park programming. Funding will support weekly park programming connected to measurable health outcomes over the course of the summer. 10-20% of all program budgets must support organizational operations.

Applications are due on March 16, 2026. Applicants will be notified of selection by April 06, 2026.

WHO MAY APPLY

• Applicants must be community-led organizations (for example, block clubs or CBOs) who care for and/or provide programs in a Detroit park or greenspace. 

• Parks do not need to be city parks, but must be open for public use. If stewarding a City of Detroit park, applicants must have completed an application for the Adopt a Park program. 

• Applicants need not be 501c3 organizations, but may not be for-profit businesses. While we do not require any specific corporate form, organizations must have an organizational bank account and be able to complete a W9 to accept regrant funding.

• Organizations that provide programs that are not affiliated with a specific park should not use this form to apply. If you wish to provide programming as part of the Neighbors Program, please contact us. 

• All programming must be free, drop-in, and open to all. All programs must take place onsite in the selected parks.

• Applicants must staff and insure their own parks programming.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Selected parks will be spread out geographically throughout the city. It is our intention to spread resources between as many parks and organizations as possible. 

• Applicant parks need not be owned or operated by the City of Detroit.

• Any proposed programming must match with a park’s amenities. For example, all basketball clinics must take place on courts.

In partnership with the Kresge Foundation, the Detroit Parks Coalition will award grants of up to $20,000 for youth and family summer parks programming. Funding will support outdoor youth and family programs that occur at least once per month in a neighborhood park. Grants will be awarded to community organizations with a demonstrated connection to a neighborhood park and the capacity to manage their own programming and staffing, and 10-20% of all program budgets must support organizational operations. 

Applications are due on March 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified of selection by April 06, 2026.

WHO MAY APPLY

• Applicants must be community-led organizations (for example, block clubs or CBOs) who care for and/or provide programs in a Detroit park or greenspace. 

• Parks do not need to be city parks, but must be open for public use. If stewarding a City of Detroit park, applicants must have completed an application for the Adopt a Park program. 

• Applicants need not be 501c3 organizations, but may not be for-profit businesses. While we do not require any specific corporate form, organizations must have an organizational bank account and be able to complete a W9 to accept regrant funding.

• Organizations that provide programs that are not affiliated with a specific park should not use this form to apply. If you wish to provide programming as part of the Neighbors Program, please contact us. 

• All programming must be free, drop-in, and open to all. Programming may be recreational, educational, cultural, or environmental in nature. Religious or political programming is not eligible. All programs must take place onsite in the selected parks.

• Applicants must staff and insure their own parks programming.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Selected parks will be spread out geographically throughout the city. It is our intention to spread resources between as many parks and organizations as possible. 

• Applicant parks need not be owned or operated by the City of Detroit. However, a majority of the parks selected will represent city parks.

• Any proposed programming must match with a park’s amenities. For example, all basketball clinics must take place on courts.