Are there any current Adopt A Park stewards in the room right now? All right, I see. I just want to collect your vote and say thank you for all your hard work. We currently have 26 organizations enrolled in the program, stewarding 27 parks across the city. So for this past season, we've had over 100, cleanup events and cleanups and events in the parks. And I also just want to acknowledge the work you all do outside the adopt a park program. You know, you're promoting events throughout the year during cleanups throughout the year. And yeah, we just want to acknowledge that it goes beyond just the program itself. So thank you. So for quick little overview. Adopt a Park began in 1979 during the young administration. I know Cooper's date he said 1977 I don't think anyone adopted the park until 1979 though. But this was a way for the city to maintain its extensive parkland, through community partnership. And initially, it was focused on Park cleanups, upkeep, repairs, grass mowing, and even some summer programming they had summer youth programs that that stewards ran and there have been different iterations over the years. So for example, the adaptive Park program for a while that was only focused on knowing while the city was going through municipal bankruptcy and couldn't keep all that parkland mowed. fast forward to today, the city's a little bit better resourced. So now adopt a Park is focused on two cleanups and two Park activations per year. And so Detroit parks coalition DPC is partnering with the city going forward to help run adopt a Park. And again, that's going to be a lot of what my role is. We're building up the program with new benefits and opportunities for stewardship organizations. Some really exciting ones I'm happy to share with you in a little bit. So first, let's go over some of the program requirements and a little bit about the application. The program is open to Detroit based community organizations, so block clubs, parks friends, of groups, places of worship, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, any group that's really connected to the park, they're interested in stewarding. businesses and for profits are not eligible at this time. But if you're with a business and you're interested in stewarding, I'd be happy to play matchmaker and find a neighborhood organization operating in or around the park you're interested in. So just because you're a business doesn't mean you can help out in the parks. Also if multiple groups are applying for the same park, we encourage you all to submit a joint application. So if we see an application coming in for the same park for two different groups we'll contact you and help facilitate that process. So the application window is open Now, as of this moment, it is open. With these words, i just pushed the button. So it's open from December 6 through January 21. And this has a lot to do with the city's event permitting processes, which you just heard a lot about. We're calling this application window the priority permitting window. And the city is generously holding this window open exclusively for adapt a Park stewards for them to submit their event dates before event permitting is open to the public. So that's great that they're willing to do that. Applications will be accepted after this window will be approving those kind of on a rolling basis. But if your preferred event dates can't be guaranteed after this application window. So like John said, I'm sorry. GSD is permit fees will be waived for any adopt a Park events that you have on your application. So be sure to get those on there. But as John said, other fees might apply for other city departments like the special events management team. So for the cleanups we're asking that you do at least two preseason you're more than welcome to hold more and I'm sure most of you will. The sort of activities are open for it's trash pickup, light beautification, some invasive plant species removal. And we're also also asking that you complete your first clean up by May 1. This is to assist the grounds crews of the city. They'll still be like training and staffing at that point in the season. So it'll just help them get their their season off to a good start. There are some things the city does not want you to do. One big one is mowing the grass. I know a lot of people have questions about that. I believe it's because they're they're unionized are the mowers unionized john?
And also, like we've had a lot of instances, people mow on Thursday, that was too long. And we had a pre scheduled for Friday. And the word sometimes shows up when someone's underwriting a lot more. So they call the union boss easier, visit the landing page. Where?
Thanks. So no mowing the grass, we ask that you don't add park improvements like trees, benches, signs, playground equipment. Please don't cut down any trees. And also landscaping we ask you o not to do. there is an avenue for those sorts of things. So to add those sorts of park improvements, flowers signs, those sorts of things, you're going to go through the donation authorization process, the city will have you fill out a donation authorization form. That includes things like having a site plan and a maintenance plan. Because essentially, you're donating property to the city. That process can take up to six weeks. But if your donation assets are more than 20,000, that requires the council approval. So that can slow down the process even more. So if you're interested in that, tiffany Franklin is the person to contact and I have her email address up there. Franklintif at Detroit mi.gov. Sorry,
you may have explained in light beautification what does that entail?
I'd say things maybe like spray paint removal or like graffiti removal? Yeah, I think. Yeah, I don't think the floraculture team wants you to put in flowers without going through like the death process of donation authorization process. But if there's something you're really interested in doing, like reach out to us, and there's a good chance we could work with you.
Right, you want the sandbox. But you were just told me that we have to submit a daf?
Yeah. Yeah, there's, we can go we can, we might want to hold some of this in the end. Because there's a lot on the back there. You're gonna want to do a particular kind of project in your park that involves a permanent structure, to a lot of things that we have to do over the city bares a lliability. there's a lot of moving for whatever.
sandbox that holds
no sandbox, because they turn into litter boxes for storage. Building. It's a question but yes, so I've
been adopt a park since the 90s. And years ago, I mean, understand technology, keeps advancing and advancing. For example, here's the dark side of the half most adopted part. We didn't have a good see, I was about to adopt department, my father at heritage park. And they say Oh, I'm sorry, you missed the deadline. I said I'm working. So here we go. throw something out. No date. We had carts adopt a park carts You guys you said thank you. And I want to say this but see what I'm learning here is you're giving us great information. But when it comes to reality, a parking problem is what we do. We go general services are protected DTP, and we put a tin portion holes, we remove graffiti because it was a foul language and gang signs We couldn't wait we went to the city we went through all of the checks and they kept saying wouldn't be interested. I'm sorry not today. So we went as adopt a park, and then they said okay, and then when we took our own money, can we remove this so tree trimming DTE trimmed the trees through the adoptive car program. So we're learning and seeing not the do's and the don'ts. But we got a brand new rec center that are named after my father on this part. Then we go to adopt a pakr. We use our own money and his own money to buy frigerators and stove and pushing through and baseball equipment and can recall now not so to meet to adapt in terms of pick up trash and cleanup is great. But we need a little bit more and to be to be ambassador or a store, or whatever you want to call us adopt a Park. To me, it seems like it's more difficult now to talk and we've got to work for free. And this shouldn't be that you guys should listen to some of grassroots who even these shirts made me out about 300 shirts we paid for with our own money. So all weekend job services into a time job working with us. But to me, why is it more difficult? And why are we being educated? We go through all this. Now we turn around. Well, my fingers, say you say two events, and we might have five or six events. But for adopt a park, we have to show we're going to have two events, we will develop this application for 2024 2 events. Now what happens if you do not do the two events? Are we denied for 2025? Can we didn't reach our quota?
No, I'd say we might talk to you and ask you to like, why couldn't you do the two events? See what you know, I don't want to deny anyone for an adopt a Park application. For right, so I know this year, we're not like I said, we're gonna have a rolling approval process after this application window. So I think last year, they were being more stringent about that application window, mostly part of the permitting. You know, like John was saying, so people can start at the park and people are interested in keeping that window open, or opening that window for the public. So I definitely hear what you're saying. And I'm
adopting the park, when we go to the city general services or the mayor's office and you have an abandoned building with a swimming pool that's beens closed early 2000s. full of water, as soon as you find a dead body in there or a dead person in that rec center, than the social media would eat it up. then they're going to say city did you didn't know this/, were you aware of this, and you know it, everybody has worked for general services, now its an abandoned building down there. So to me, when we adopt a park, , we take our time, and our energy to improve these environments for our seniors and children and ourselves. That it seemed like this should be one of the priorities of the city of Detroit. And again, as Bob and Jerry, were saying, we got a problem here, like she she wants to put in a sandbox. Yeah, we put in two horsehoes, I'm sorry, the city put in two horseshoe course at meheres jentry park. But then you want to do it, but hte geese is gonna do their think. So we have people who pitch horse shoes they come with a break and their cleaning themselves. now as a steward do i have to make it my job to clean the sandbox, or the horseshoe course. Your job? no.Well, okay. Well, we're taking we just did our part. So we met around, we're always working together. Okay, so do you mention to the city that there's an abandoned building? Dogs living in that building? Every time the buildings open? I can call the city to say plausibility. If you've known these things, why don't the city do something's
sorry. For
that, that those are all fair points. And I agree to the adapt a part program probably doesn't cover everything that you're you're getting at? We have and we do have a session after this in this room where it is there gonna be more city departments in here, specifically for those questions, those types of questions. So I'd love to see that adapt a park flyer. So I'm gonna keep moving. I'm gonna say questions for the audience.
There's a deadline for the first cleanup is May 1. And our blockclub usually kind of coordinates that with Motor City makeover. Right and motor city make over for our district does not run by may 1st first most years. So
I think there's some wiggle room there. I think. I think that's a preference on our end, just like I said, How about the ground screws? If there's a capacity reason why you can't make that date, just let us know. I'm not going to kick you out of the program for that. So I think I got everything. So let's talk about events real quick. We're asking that you do at least two per season. You're welcome to host more. These could be like fitness classes, picnics concerts, moving nights school supplies giveaway is anything that activates the park and provide some public good. So things like family reunions, graduation parties, bar mitzvahs, those won't count towards your adoptive Park program. But please have them in your parks anyways. Also, we're asking your organization membership meeting, those won't count towards the adopter Park program, unless they contain some elements that activate the parks activates the park and provide some sort of a public benefit. So that could be like a meeting with a movie at the end. It could be a concert, a meeting with an art festival, you know, something along those lines. So as John said, 44 or more expected attendees require permits. And again, that fee is going to be waived if that event is listed on the adapt a Park application. And then John, and I have a slide here. But John mentioned all those other permit triggers, like the tents larger than 10 by 10, amplified music vendors large inflatables, alcohol, those are all listed on the adapt a Park application as well. We just ask you to let us know if you're planning on having those elements at your events. I guess the number is 250. For the special event management team, I thought it was 300. So again,
it's changing currently.
So if they have to be involved, obviously, we can't waive that fee, again to John's point earlier. And again, Grace Wembley is the person to contact for any permit questions, we can go to Detroit mi.gov/recreation. And did you mentioned community pass John, because I didn't talk too much about community. Pass yet we are community pass now for your events. But those will be that will probably be changing during some point in the season.
What did you say reunions are not counted toward adopt a park.
Except for like a family reunion, like a personal family reunion. That's not like open to the public. So we wouldn't count that towards the adoptive parent program.
Okay, to see, we had been doing this before we had CTC ColorPoint, Tennessee, and this is the first neighborhood and in fact, on the east side of Detroit group, African Americans live in a community that they can also take to the streets clinic. So they've had annual reunions, merehes Park Avenue, and it's over sometimes 500 to 1000 people. So you say that is reserved for you? So
if it's see that I think I would get into I think we're gonna have a conversation about that for sure. And I like, you know, because that that crosses over into like, yeah, there's some historic significance of
that lead. Yeah, that sounds like a community event that, to me, that sounds like something that I would charge for. But if you're adding vendors, we're gonna make it like your houses infrastructure blocking the street, like, and even if it's just over a certain number of people, especially innovative. Mayor's offices, and others have just said that we can have the appropriate people to coordinate. This could be for quite a
fees being waved, is that just starting this year, with the fees
beeing waived. So
I think one of the things that we're trying to do to our stewards, is just make sure that we're incentivizing you to steward Park. And like, especially if you're really open to the public community events, like I want to go activate as much as possible. But the limits on power are, you know, you got three other people to help you in terms of like a fire department and or ev or whatever. But we can advocate as best as we can within our department to say, hey, we want to try to support this.
Only, like tech products and stuff like that I
know, last year.
So that's that's the only reason why it's like our goals.
So the 10 the 10 thing is, in particular this year, to get them through resident Council, we're actually not going to have a tent fee associated, that's part of park permir, but if the tent gets to a certain size, actually, the fire department says a fee, and we can control the benefits business, so we're not gonna talk fire sheets and CPU or things like that.
So let me let me hold on for the questions just for a couple more minutes. I know we're coming up on time already. So let's talk about the good stuff. Let's talk about the benefits. so new for this year. Something I'm really excited about is a supplies library we're working on at Historic Fort Wayne. And that's in partnership with green living science. And green living science are helping to stock it up with tools and supplies. So what we're gonna have at the supplies library will be supplies for cleanups, things like trash pickers, garden tools, wheelbarrows push brooms, we're going to try to get you all to use these five gallon plastic reusable buckets. Instead of plastic garbage bags. When you're doing your cleanups, you can fill up the buckets and empty those into a plastic bag. That way you don't have 25 half empty bags. And we'll supply the bags for you as well. We're also going to have supplies for your events, things like small pop up tents, folding tables, movie screens, water coolers, and some games and recreation supplies. Just things you know that are a little bit your events a little bit, we're happy to house those things if you don't have them. We're working on the check in and check out policy for that gear library. But the way it's going to work is I'm going to hold office hours at Fort Wayne. And during that time, stewards can make appointments to check in checkout ordering materials. And that may shifts based on demand because it's kind of a pilot phase of the program. I can see myself being there like two days a week, maybe in the busier season. I'm also open to suggestions for supply items you'd like to see in the library. Also, maybe some policy ideas for the library. If you have any, please let me know. DPC is also going to be hosting these Lunch and Learn sessions. So a few times this season, we'll get all the adopt a Park stewards together. And we'll hold these learning sessions with different topics. That could be like capacity building for organizations, how to put on a successful events, maybe the city will lead some trainings on how to navigate some of the city processes. Really, this has just been an opportunity for stewards network and give feedback, how they adapt our program is going. And also if you have suggestions for topics, please let me know. Or if you yourself want to conduct a training, please let me know. And then dpc is going to be hosting a public facing calendar. This will be on our website, it will list all the adapt a Park events, and cleanups and the public will be able to click on your cleanup and sign up to volunteer. You can opt out of that feature if you don't want outside volunteers for whatever reason. And we will let you know if people have signed up for your events that are you're not blindsided by people showing up. And for this reason, we're asking that you let me know if you're a date shifts from what you put on your application just so we can keep the event calendar up to dates. Also, Detroit parks coalition offers Fiscal Sponsorship at various tiers. So if you're like looking at a juicy grant you want to apply for but maybe you're not a 501 C three DPC is and you can use our 501 C three status to apply for the grants. DPC takes a small percentage, and that's like a sliding scale based on the level of involvement you want us to manage your projects, more info that you can get on our website detroit parks coalition.com. And then we're also going to send your grant opportunities as they come up. And then the city benefits I mentioned earlier, the priority permitting window, and then the permit fees being waived. So a couple of quick FAQs. Can you submit an application after the window closes? Yes. But you miss out on the priority permitting window? Can you apply for events other than what was in your application? Yes. But you have to use the standard permitting process for the city's website. And can other groups permit the part that you've adopted? Yes. So I guess their event doesn't conflict with your approved events. So before we get your questions, I do want to show you the the website application real quick. So if you go to squat down like this, if you go to Detroit mi.gov/adopt-a-park, and make sure you get the hyphens in between the adopt a park, it'll take you to this page. So this is everything you just heard about. And then you can either click on the application down at the bottom, or about a third of the way down the page here. So you click on that it'll open this up If you can download this, fill it out and then email it to me my emails on here and on the webpage. It's going to ask for basic information. And if you're new to the program, we're going to ask you about relevant past park experience. And why do you want to be a park steward. So Park information, here's the cleanup events, you're welcome to add more than four if you just attach it to the email. And then here, it's asking you about those permit triggers that John talked about. And then here's where you tell us whether or not you want your events to be listed on the public calendar. And then we got your events section, we do ask that, your events are all open to the public, if you're hosting them through adopted part. And then if you are charging fees, you have to enter into a 7030 agreement with the city. We can take questions on that after the fact that there's space for three more events. But again, if you have more attachments via email, and then after that it comes, send it off to me. And then we review it internally. And we get back to you with our decision and then send it back for your signature. Sorry. See this one? Yes.
So I have this information on a slide coming up as well the URL.
So do you ever
as an advocate? Can you do it under your block club? Or do you do it as an individual
you do it under your block clib, but it will be like a person as a point of contact? Is it a Conflict of interest if the person is a city employee? don't think so
the question was, is the city affiliated with that third party? I don't think it shouldn't be a factor and kind of number of people that works in the arts. But yeah, if you're going to teach somebody complicated money
if another organization elects to adopt our park Does the conservancy take precedence over
if you're applying as well? Yeah. I mean, you have that history of when we go through the applications. I mean, we'l lencourage a join application? I think that that would be the least the most elegant solution, if you're open to that, but it's
one organization that will likely work in conjunction with the system. but if someone else desides to just moved in the neighborhood? Is whatever
we're trying to bring them your organization. Some sort of collaboration. Yeah. Yeah, there's Yeah, I don't I don't see a scenario where we'd say the conservancy is out.
Sometimes have questions about the donation if I can get to donate like a picnic bench or picnic table?
still go through the daf process? Yeah, I think they're doing a donation optimization process. That will be tiffany. Tiffany Franklin. Yeah.
Okay, so our block club adopted a space to this adoot a park program in 2018. And then we came back in 2019. Did it two years in a row. So we got sound image, which was great. And covid hit and we didn't hear anything else. Yeah. And then I think 21-22 I was just totally frustrated with something amazing happened in 2023. And it was we were part we've adopted a space within the park, which was Baldwin Park. But Balduck had now adopted the space , and it's beautiful. I mean, i couldn't have dreamed, of anything as good as it looks now, you know there's a pathway going through the park. I think they put like the dog to stuff that people that get it. Right. But my question is, are we done? I mean, that was our first agenda item. And it's totally done. I think what happened during the process our sign fell off? We did recover it, but we're not quite sure if adopt a park wants the sign ? we're quite ok with them not having it. the post is still in there. So I'm just curious as to what we should do now. Because that was our agenda item. I said, everything is beautiful. I do have a church from 2016 until now. I need somebody to help me get it into a presentation format format, but what would be your suggestion to our block club? I mean, it was progress between Thanksgiving week And today because when I went by Thanksgiving, week there was no signage and i go back today. And now the balduck sign is there. So I mean, it's incredible. I'm really happy. I think our job is done. We have the formerly do something? What should we do?
are you still interested in being a steward? hosting these cleanups and events? That'd be my question for you.
Sure. So our backyard Detroit is a partner program that supports and wants to support community members in Ballduck Parks. I'd love to have a conversation with you about we have a couple of our friends here are champions here. So we'd love to talk to you about what that looks like and how we can help, absolutely. Yeah, today. Absolutely. Right now. Yes.
Other questions? i missed the beginning. But are you saying that the parks coalition is going to take over the administration of adopt a park? Is that what you're suggesting?
More or less so we're still working we're still partnering with the city city has you know a lot of final say over a lot of these things like everything I presented to you today was obviously approved by the city so but me as like, again, that liaison role between the city and the coalition I kind of have a foot in both worlds. So you're gonna do
that again next year? Yep. Yeah. Yeah.
Hopefully in perpetuity that's
a very small she bought a very very important seat just like our banks are insured and they can claim that I can give out to her so as a store, I mean if they're going to be about attributes, they're not to copy stores. So if we're going to work with a bank geometry, would that be what I came up for are two hits.
So I think Logan and I have talked a little about this we're trying to have his program almost be a feeder into our program. So like maybe the first year you're with our backyard Detroit and then the graduated you and then we're saying Come Come work with us.
Volunteer work then with backyard cleaner.
So about the steward when I get credit for what my kclean up get my work with them and their clean up here.
I can see if we were doing like a joint event.
I was a delegate, I was gonna say probably say like, I shouldn't, from my perspective, if, like our joint events allow, but it's a collaborative cleanup, which a lot of them are right at Jefferson, especially the meheres Gentry it's Jefferson water project. It's, you know, friends class devotions, it's a lot of group drinks. Artists are collaborative, a lot.
But I think they're happening like you're saying, if the current adapt a Park stewards like Clark Park coalition, like they bring in groups from Ford, or friends of rouge Park, bringing groups from Rocket Mortgage, so yeah, there are all sorts of joint, joint.
So we've been tested, quite the same by Steward 2024. I've worked with John Myers and Mittag so now we're going to look like always good. Yeah. Your credit for that. its on
your application as far as I know what's happening within the program. So yeah.
As long as as long as it's happening in your park, and you're somehow part of that, then that counts like it. Yeah, it's not a part of vegetable wind. Yeah, it's yeah.
We're not trying to compete with other cleanups happening. And the more the merrier.
So if a corporate group
calls Gsd and says, we want to do clean up
services project in X park, then do you all call the park, Steward the adopter and say, Are you good with this? Can you work with these people? Or do you just say yes to everything?
So this past season, we've had a few corporate entities call us. And yeah, I played matchmaker for like I went down my roster with adopt a park stewards. First I look at like what events they already had scheduled. Try to fit them in there. And then if not, we tried to work with other stewards create new events. So yeah, that can definitely happen. was in the past,
that didn't happen.
And we're trying to build up like a volunteer program, that public facing calendar where the public can like sign up for your events as part of that. But if it is, like, like, we have labatt that wanted to do an event, and they were bringing, I think like, like 50 to 100 volunteers. For something like that we want to like create a special event.
We only go to like an organization, just all of a sudden the side of Taylor's apartment is brought to a point where
sometimes
they talk to district managers, district manager, talk to GSD, you know,
that that's a good possibility. And this is definitely an opportunity to speak to the DONs and say, hey, just say no, we've got to stop our students application in little things that are rattling through you that you'd like to see them to realize that we got people around that I can be inferred. So yeah.
DONs are part of the application review process, so we'll be in contact with them. You got a few minutes left through
with the part that steward over. There are times we need the pavillion area sanitize or clean things on top of that. We can't get them down. Is that your department?
That would be PDU yeah. Yeah.
If you have questions broadly, stick around for the next session. No more questions. All right. Thank you all
