PARK STEWARDSHIP

Parks Summit

2025 Detroit Parks Summit

The annual Detroit Parks Summit was held on November 20, 2025 at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center.

Park Stewardship 101

This session covered all the basics of parks stewardship, from holding events and clean ups, to working with the Detroit Parks Coalition and the City of Detroit, and more.

Rob Streit, Resources and Partnership Manager, Detroit Parks Coalition

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Health & the Built Environment

Speakers discussed the role of parks as powerful drivers of health equity through thoughtful design, intentional programming, and creative community partnerships.

Stacy Bare, Executive Director, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Sigal Hemy Spiegel, Executive Director, Detroit Parks Coalition


Activating Outdoor & Overnight Programming in Your Park

This deep dive into camping in Detroit parks explored how to get started, lessons learned, and resources and partnerships that have helped make Detroit Outdoors’ camping programs successful.

Jac Kyle, Detroit Outdoors Collaborative, Manager - Nature ‐ Detroit Parks & Recreation


Park Stewardship 201

We heard from experts who have been leaders in park stewardship for years. The panel shared tips on programming, funding projects, building community around your stewardship, and more. 

Anthony Benevides, Clark Park Coalition
Rob Streit, Resources and Partnership Manager, Detroit Parks Coalition
Gail Tubbs, O’Hair Park Community Association
Stacey Varner, People for Palmer Park


Parks Safety

This session explored how police, security, and community stewardship groups can work together to ensure a safe experience for all park users.

Deputy Chief Terence Mathis, GSD Security
Yvette Pullom-Bass, Detroit Parks Coalition


Plenary: Outdoor Stories

Our plenary featured stories of Detroit’s parks from inspiring storytellers.

Angela Lugo-Thomas
Rochelle Wilson Ellis

Sharing Our Parks: Communications Best Practices

From E-Blasts to social media, panelists shared best practices for your park’s communications.

Anthony Benividas, Executive Director, Clark Park Coalition
Jacquelyn Jones, Belle Isle Conservancy
Ian Solomon, Communications and Engagement Manager, Detroit Parks Coalition
Megan Woods, Communications Manager, City of Detroit General Services Department


Planning Large Events in Your Park

This session covered the ins-and-outs of hosting large events (over 300 people) in City of Detroit parks and the Special Events Management Team processes. We outlined application requirements, necessary permits, and planning considerations.

Jackson Ernest, City of Detroit Recreation Events Manager
Yvette Pullom-Bass, Detroit Parks Coalition

Creating & Executing a Successful Fundraising Plan

This workshop reviewed how to build and execute a fundraising plan that sets clear goals, engages supporters, and streamlines your efforts with practical tools and strategies.

Anne Bowlby, Grants Manager/Development Associate, Detroit Parks Coalition


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SWOT Analysis worksheet
Goals, Objectives, & Tasks worksheet

Sharing Our Parks: Park Photography

In this hands-on workshop, participants learned park photography tips and tricks and got hands-on training with the DPC Camera, the newest edition to the gear library! 

Ian Solomon, Communications and Engagement Manager, Detroit Parks Coalition

Community Organizing and Starting a Stewardship Organization

A panel of experienced parks stewards covered practical steps for effective and impactful organizing and collaboration, from identifying shared goals, to developing bylaws, to sustaining participation over time.

Alex J. Allen, III, President & CEO Chandler Park Conservancy (moderator)
Carol Pickens, Littlefield Community Association
Susan Stellar, Board Member, O’Hair Park Community Association

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Walking Tour: Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park

The Summit wrapped up with an exclusive walking tour of the newly opened Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park.

Ella Cramer, Addison Mauck, and Renee Rodriguez, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

  • The Detroit Parks Coalition hosted the 4th annual Detroit Parks Summit on November 12, 2024 in partnership with the City of Detroit and the Detroit Pistons. The summit was free to attend. We were joined by 160 fellow park advocates and enthusiasts for a day full of networking and learning from one another. 

    Stewarding Nature in Detroit’s Parks

    Local stewards of large and small parks across the city shared best practices for natural areas management. Speakers shared lessons learned in organizing volunteer cleanups, installing and maintaining native habitats, combating invasive species, and more.

    Engaging Youth in Detroit’s Parks 

    From camping in Detroit’s natural spaces to creating programming and social media outreach for their peers, Detroit’s young people have plenty of options to get out in nature without leaving the city. Our panel of youth programming experts discussed working with Detroit’s youth in our parks–and what they’ve learned in the process. 

    Park Stewardship 101

    In this session, Rob Streit, Resources and Partnership Manager with the City of Detroit and Detroit Parks Coalition, provided an overview of park stewardship, including working with the city, permitting & events, cleanups, and capital improvements. Attendees were given tangible tools to improve their work, from communications directories to funding resources.  View the slide presentation here.

    Communications, Marketing & Outreach 

    The best marketing and outreach practices are just as diverse as our parks! In this session, local leaders talked about amplifying their park authentically in social media, mass marketing, and door to door outreach.

    Parks Safety & Security

    This session explored how police, security, and community stewardship groups can work together to ensure a positive experience for all park users.

    Planning for Successful Fund Development

    Effective planning helps your team set clear fundraising priorities and provides staff and board members with a path to achieving success. This workshop will walk you through the essential steps for creating a fundraising plan, including insights on crafting a compelling case for support, expanding and diversifying your organization's funding sources, and developing a concrete action plan. All participants will be invited to join future DPC fundraising seminars. View slide presentation here.

    Live from the Parks

    Participants got a taste of popular park programming with special hands-on stewardship activities throughout the summit.

    • Healthy Hustle, hosted by Danjanay Stewart,

    • Stewardship Activities and Invasive Species Management, hosted by Antonio Cosme, stewardship manager at Friends of Rouge Park, swgrows@gmail.com. View slide presentation here.

    • Field Trip to Ella Fitzgerald Park and Palmer Park, led by Stacy Varner of People for Palmer Park and Darnetta Banks of Ella Fitzgerald Park Conservancy

    Stories from the Park

    The summit concluded with a live storytelling session led by three Detroiters with inspiring stories from their parks–and what they meant to them. Thank you to our storytellers:

  • December 6, 2023 | 11 am - 5 pm

    In partnership with the City of Detroit and the Detroit Pistons, the Detroit Parks Coalition invites you to our annual Parks Summit on December 6, 2023.

    The summit is designed for park advocates and enthusiasts working in or programming at parks and public spaces in Detroit. You will spend your afternoon networking and growing with experienced park professionals, volunteers, funders, and city staff, covering topics from park programming and maintenance to the Adopt-A-Park program and acquiring funding.

    Keynote Address: Detroit’s History of Park Stewardship

    Patrick Cooper-McCann - Assistant Professor of Urban Studies and Planning, Wayne State University

    Detroit park scholar Patrick Cooper-McCann discussed the history of community-based park stewardship in Detroit – the role it has played over time and opportunities he sees today.

    Resourcing Your Park Project 

    Alexa Bush- Kresge Foundation
    Trish Dewald- Mondo Unlimited
    Gaby McKee- Detroit Pistons Foundation
    JJ Velez- Gilbert Family Foundation
    Greg Yankee- Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
    Moderator: Sigal Hemy - Detroit Parks Coalition

    The panel shared resources for park projects and nonprofits. Panelists emphasized the importance of community partnerships, having clear goals and outcomes, and being ready to apply for opportunities when they arise. The panel concluded by emphasizing the need for collaboration between public and private organizations to equitably resource parks and communities.

    Neighborhood-based Storytelling with Planet Detroit 

    Nina Ignaczak - Co-Founder & Editor, Planet Detroit
    Martina Guzman - Co-Founder, Planet Detroit

    This session outlined the role and importance of community journalism and introduced Planet Detroit’s Detroit Neighborhood Reporting Lab, which trains community members to write stories about their communities. Participants had the opportunity to work together to craft story ideas and learned ways to get their own stories published. 

    From Acorn to Oak Tree: Lessons in Starting a Parks Stewardship Organization

    Maggie DeSantis - Chandler Park Conservancy
    Moderator: Alex Allen- Chandler Park Conservancy

    This session provided insight into how Chandler Park Conservancy, a park friends-of organization first started. After a major foundation backed out of a plan to build a neighborhood community center, residents’ anger, combined with the pride they felt in their community, swiftly transformed into action. Multiple local organizations banded together to organize, fundraise, and establish the Chandler Park Conservancy.

    Permitting your Park Event 

    John Armstrong - Assistant Director, City of Detroit Parks & Recreation

    This session covered the ins and outs of the City of Detroit’s permitting process for different types of park uses. Highlights include when a permit is needed, how the city works with adopt a park stewards and other community groups, when to anticipate needing to work with other city departments, and upcoming permitting system improvements.

    Permit Contacts:

    • John Armstrong, Assistant Director: John.Armstrong@detroitmi.gov

    • Grace Wimbley, Reservation and Event Coordinator: Grace.Wimbley@detroitmi.gov

    • Gary Miller, Athletic Reservations and Events: Gary.Miller@detroitmi.gov

    Managing Natural Resources in Detroit Parks 

    Sally Petrella - President, Friends of Rouge Park

    Antonio Cosme - Land Stewardship Manager, Friends of Rouge Park

    Ryan Myers-Johnson - Executive Director, Sidewalk Detroit

    Nikki Marcot - Eliza Howell Park Strategist, Sidewalk Detroit

    This session highlighted natural areas restoration and management practices in Rouge Park and Eliza Howell Park. Speakers shared examples and best practices for developing plans, maintaining plantings, combating invasive species, and collaborating with city entities. Important best practices include developing partnerships, making your project look intentional with signage and borders, engaging with local residents and volunteers, and maintaining strong advocacy efforts.

    Deep Breaths, Kicks, and Punches: Summer Programs in O’Hair Park 

    Gail Tubbs - President, O’Hair Park Community Association

    Joyce Daniel - Vice-President, O’Hair Park Community Association

    Susan Stellar - Chair, Open-Space Committee, O’Hair Park Community Association

    This session shared recent programming by the O’Hair Park Community Association, designed to appeal to different ages and interests. The programs included martial arts classes, nature exploration, a walking club, and recreational activities provided by the Pistons Neighbors program. Panelists discussed challenges related to recruitment, scheduling, and park maintenance, while also highlighting positive outcomes, including growth in overall participation and some participants volunteering for other park events.

    Adopt a Park 2024 Program Launch

    Rob Streit - Parks Fellow, Detroit Parks Coalition

    This session shares in depth information about the 2024 Adopt a Park program, which is being managed by Detroit Parks Coalition and includes new resources and benefits for park stewards. Highlights include program requirements, application process, timelines, and a Q&A. 

    Contact Rob Streit: rob.streit@detroitmi.gov, 313-402-6866

    Building Community Gardens in Urban Parks 

    Angela Lugo-Thomas - Garden Manager, People for Palmer Park

    This session provided background on Palmer Park’s community garden program, and offered tips on how to start a community garden in an urban park. Highlights included different models to consider, engaging with park users and nearby residents, the challenges and benefits of gardening in public spaces, and where to access tools and resources to support gardening efforts.

    The Power of a Pocket Park

    Darnetta Banks- Ella Fitzgerald Park Conservancy
    Eric Dueweke - Morningside Community Association
    Jordan Yagiela- NW Goldberg Cares
    Moderator: Rob Streit - Detroit Parks Coalition

    This panel discussed how community organizations have built and maintained pocket parks and the role they play in neighborhoods. Panelists shared tips for beginning stages including engaging the city (council member, district manager, landscape architect), developing a maintenance plan, and identifying programming partners to collaborate with to address community needs. 

    Resource: Public Spaces Community Places, a partnership between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Patronicity where community organizations can do a fundraising campaign and receive matching funds from the State of Michigan to help fund their pocket park projects.

    Park Accessibility

    Alexis Brooks - Au-Some City 313
    Jileesa Irwin - Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
    Marisa Spain - City of Detroit Office of Disability Affairs
    Moderator: Ian Solomon - Detroit Parks Coalition

    As follow up to DPC’s Just Place event in Beacon Park, this panel discussed making parks and recreation programs more accessible for people with disabilities. They talked about the importance of accessible bathrooms, trails, and transportation. They emphasized including people with disabilities in the planning process, advertising accessibility features clearly, and using language that is welcoming to everyone.

  • January 10th, 2023 | 12–6 pm

    We're excited to bring Detroit's park stewards together for a day of connecting and learning! In partnership with the City of Detroit, Detroit Pistons, and Project Play, the Detroit Parks Coalition invites you to our first Parks Summit. Spend your afternoon networking and growing with experienced park professionals, volunteers, funders, and city staff. We'll be covering topics from park programming and maintenance to the Adopt-A-Park program and acquiring funding.

    SCHEDULE:

    12:00: Lunch & Networking

    12:45: Welcome

    1:00: Opening Plenary: Adopting a Park

    Learn about Detroit’s Adopt a Park program and hear stories about park stewardship from adopt a park partners across the city.

    2:20 Break

    2:30: Breakout Session #1: Planning

    Programming Track

    As you plan your park event, do you have a planning checklist? In this session, explore the anatomy of a park event and all its needs.

    Park Improvement Track

    Long before the first shovel is lifted, park stewards plan their projects and how to implement them. In this session, learn all the things you will need to consider as you get started on your park improvement.

    3:05: Breakout Session #2: Permitting

    Programming Track

    Learn about the City of Detroit’s permitting process for presenting events, reserving shelters, serving food at a park, and more.

    Park Improvement Track

    The City of Detroit requires a Donation Authorization Form for any capital improvement to a park. In this session, learn about the form and how to fill it out.

    3:40: Breakout Session #3: Implementation

    Programming Track

    On the day of your event, what are the keys to success?

    Park Improvement Track

    It’s time for the installation—here’s how to keep your project on track.

    4:10: Break

    4:30: Getting your Work Funded

    Panel discussion with local funders who support park programs, projects, and organizations

    5:30: Ask Us Anything & Networking

  • The Detroit Pistons Foundation partnered with the Detroit Parks Coalition, City of Detroit, and Project Play to host “Let’s Play!” a series of dialogues on programming, capital improvements, safety, and funding for parks. Takeaways and video recordings can be found on the Pistons Neighbors Program website.