IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Residents around Parkridge Park Vote on New Playground Design 19
Ypsilanti, MI - Over the last year, the City of Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development engaged over 100 residents living around Parkridge Park to identify and prioritize what type of investment they want to see in their community. In a series of community input sessions during the summer of 2019, residents brought up ideas of investing in home rehab assistance for local homeowners, improvements at Parkridge Park, and more. In a final meeting last summer, residents voted that a new playground in Parkridge Park was their top priority.
This summer, after slight delays due to COVID-19, the City and County came back to the community to help decide what the playground would look like. In July, a virtual input session allowed kids to talk about what they like to do at playgrounds, their favorite colors, and more. That feedback helped staff narrow choices for a public session held on August 5th. On that date, 70 members of the community cast their ballots during an outdoor, physically-distanced voting session. The winning playground design can be seen in the attached image. Residents also supported adding on a variety of additional elements including swings, a merry go round, accessible play structures, and more.
“As a long time area resident with grandchildren who love to play at Parkridge Park, I am so excited for this new playground,” said Jeannette Hadden, Outreach Worker at Ozone House and guest facilitator of the virtual kids’ input session. “It’s also exciting that members of this community got to help be a part of making this playground happen and picking out what the design will be.”
Over the next several weeks, the City of Ypsilanti will move the process forward. If approved, the playground, along with swings, a merry go round, accessible play elements, and more will be installed in either late fall, or early spring 2021. The project is being funded through Community Development Block Grant Program Income which has been dedicated to investing in under-resourced neighborhoods based on community-voiced priorities.
The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) is a government agency committed to stepping out of traditional government roles to drive long-term system changes that increase equity and opportunity for all residents. OCED administers the Community Development Block Grant program as the lead agency for the Washtenaw Urban County. You can learn more by visiting washtenaw.org/oced or by following @washtenawOCED on Facebook and Twitter.
The City of Ypsilanti Planning and Development Department seeks to maintain and improve the quality of life in the City by creatively and collaboratively enhancing the natural and built environment. You can learn more by visiting cityofypsilanti.com or by following @Ypsi.Michigan on Facebook.
Contact:
Peter Lindeman | 616.894.2833 | [email protected]