By EVM Staff
As part of its centennial celebration, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is inviting Flint residents to help shape the future of their city parks.
Through an online site, mott.org/parks, residents can vote on which of 41 listed parks should be improved and what they’d like to see in them.
Voting is open now through June 6 on the website, but residents who prefer to share their priorities in person can also do so at the Mott Foundation Centennial Family Fun Days on that Saturday, June 6, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Flint Cultural Center campus, according to a May 5 Mott Foundation press release.
“Flint residents know their neighborhoods and their parks better than anyone, and it’s important to us that residents have a real say in how they’re improved,” Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation, said in the same release. “We’re grateful to everyone who takes the time to share their ideas for making Flint’s parks even better.”
Residents can choose from a list of potential projects created for up to three parks or submit their own ideas about play equipment, features for senior citizens, public art, seating for community gatherings and more. “The City of Flint and Keep Genesee County Beautiful had already gathered helpful input from Flint residents,” the Mott Foundation shared, “which was used as a jumping-off point for lists of potential projects.”
The press release stated that the Mott Foundation will work with the city, Genesee County Parks and other partners to evaluate the feasibility of any new suggestions submitted. A Mott Foundation representative was not immediately available at time of publication to confirm when suggested improvements would begin on resident-selected sites.
“We all know that parks and public spaces are the backbones of our community,” said Patrick Linihan, Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission Director. “They are places where we socialize, live healthy and active lifestyles, and recharge from the hecticness of daily life. This commitment solidifies what we already know — parks bring people together.”
Questions about the community input process can be directed to parksandplaygrounds@mott.org or 810-238-5651.
