Together, we can create safe, clean spaces where friends can gather, children play and neighborhoods can grow.  Mayor Mike Duggan’s Adopt a Park program is back for another great season!  We are excited to welcome both returning partners and new adopters for this summer!

Adopt-A-Park Stewardship Program 

Become an ADOPT-A-PARK STEWARD and take an active role in beautifying and activating your park! 

Program Summary

The Adopt-A-Park Stewardship Program is a new park stewardship program, where community groups can apply to become stewards of their local park and take an active role in beautifying and activating the park for the upcoming year.   

The City will help connect Stewards with resources, such as potential grants, sponsorships, and trainings. 

Adopt-A-Park Stewards will be responsible for: 

• Completing a minimum of 2 clean-ups per year, the City will help provide cleaning supplies (gloves, bags) 
• Programming a minimum of 2 events in the park per year (see programming section on pages 2-3 for more details), the City will assist with streamlining the event permitting process. 
• Assisting Parks & Rec Marketing with park announcements 
• Encouraging and fostering respect of the park and stewardship within the community 

Upon completion of a successful season, Stewards will also receive a signed certificate and reception event.

The Adopt-A-Park season runs from February 1 to December 31, 2023.

Adopt-A-Park Stewardship Program Application

This application is for community groups and organizations who wish to partner with the City of Detroit for city park stewardship.  The information provided on this form will be used to evaluate the proposed park stewardship. 

Applications open January 16, 2023 and close January 30, 2023

2023 APPLICATION LINK

Park Clean-up Events 

Park Stewards will be responsible for organizing at least 2 park clean-ups per year.  The City will coordinate with GSD Maintenance staff for the identified target dates.  Clean-up events can be hosted by the Adoptee or any affiliated group that is coordinated by the Adoptee.  Please provide the below details about planned park clean-up events.   

Park Programs & Events 

Park Stewards will be responsible for organizing a least 2 park programs or events per year.   This includes providing either at least 2 one-time events or recurring programs in the park that are open to the public. Examples of events or programs include zumba, yoga, fitness classes, movies in the park, jazz concert, celebratory events, etc. 

The City will coordinate with Rec Permitting staff for the identified events and to streamline the process. Please allow 2-3 weeks at minimum for processing the requested events.  Future events and programs that are not submitted here can be submitted through the normal process at detroitmi.gov/recreation. 

Please note: submitting and signing the AAP Application does NOT indicate that events on the application are approved but are pending review. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Juliana Fulton at [email protected]
 

Thank you for helping us ensure that every neighborhood has a future!

Adopt-A-Park  Stewardship Program FAQs

Who can apply to be an Adopt-A-Park steward? 

This program is for community groups and organizations who wish to partner with the City of Detroit for city park stewardship and can include block clubs, park friends' groups, and others. 

What if multiple groups apply to adopt the same park? 

There can only be one adopt-a park steward group for each park.  If there are multiple groups that are interested, we encourage them to collaborate on a joint application. 

What if I want to adopt a park but it is past the application deadline? 

Unfortunately, the official program is only available for groups that apply within the application window, but community groups and residents are welcome to have events outside of the Adopt-A-Park Stewardship program, using the standard permitting process, which can be found here – LINK 

Can I apply for events besides what I submitted in the application? 

Yes, adopt-a-park stewards are welcome to hold events and programs in addition to what was submitted in the application, but they will then have to use the standard permitting process, which can be found here – LINK 

Can other groups permit the park if my group has adopted it? 

Yes, other groups are able to permit events in the park, as long as they do not conflict with existing, approved events, including those submitted by the Adopt-A-Park steward. 

What support can the City provide for adopt-a-park stewards? 

With advance notice, the City can help with limited clean-up supplies, such as trash bags, gloves, and pickers. The City will help connect Stewards with resources, such as potential grants, sponsorships, and trainings.