In 2019, Advancing Macomb, the City of Mount Clemens and The Anton Art Center teamed up to bring four interactive art murals in and around downtown Mount Clemens with funding from the KABOOM! Foundation Play Everywhere Challenge. Thanks to the success of the project and the positive feedback from the community, the collaboration sought another opportunity for a project that promotes family-friendly fun, inspires creativity, and brings people together.

Applying with a new project, we were fortunate again to be selected as a Play Everywhere Design Challenge winner as announced on February 9, 2021. This grant is presented by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and KABOOM! to solicit projects to help transform everyday places into playful spaces and create more equitable play opportunities.

The focus for the 2021 project is Shadyside Park located along the banks of the Clinton River at Northbound Gratiot and Clinton River Drive in Mount Clemens. It is the location of the original Water Works facility for this historic town. There is a small fountain in the park signifying the historic landmark.

This location will provide access to an exciting and safe play structure for a diverse community that, we hope will instill a sense of pride and belonging for families. As both water and play are convening forces that instill a sense of both calm and fun for kids and adults alike, the project will include an interactive water feature/splash pad that inspires both play and creativity all year round.

Adding to the fun, a local artist will be hired to commission a mural incorporated into the feature that blends history, innovation, and creativity. The design will be driven by community input and will result in a unique, attractive, and valued placemaking project for the area. (Image by Wendy Popko)

Through the Play Everywhere Design Challenge, Advancing Macomb secured a $75,000 grant from the KABOOM! Foundation, but the coalition needs to match that amount by April 1, 2021 to use the grant funding and complete construction. Planning has started with the City of Mount Clemens to work out the site needs and infrastructure design as well as developing a fundraising outline to meet the match requirements with the goal of starting construction later this year.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can help bring this project to life for families in and around Mount Clemens, please contact Diane Banks at diane@advancingmacomb.com.