EAST LANSING, Mich. — On Thursday, Feb. 12, the City of East Lansing was honored with the Michigan Recreation & Park Association’s (MRPA) Outstanding Park Design Award for the Playground in the Park “Re-Imagined” project at Patriarche Park.
“It was an honor to be recognized by the MRPA for the new playground in Patriarche Park,” said East Lansing Parks, Recreation & Arts Director Tim McCaffrey. “The project was the result of a great partnership between the City of East Lansing and the Rotary Club of East Lansing and it could not have happened without the support of the community.
MRPA’s Annual Awards honor the exemplary parks and recreation professionals and citizen advocates throughout the state of Michigan. According to the MRPA, “Honorees embody the core values of the profession, demonstrate the highest level of performance in their job duties and maintain a tremendous commitment to MRPA and its membership.”
About the PlaygroundThe idea behind the Playground in the Park “Re-Imagined” project was to bring a new playground to Patriarche Park designed by the community, built by the community and with funds raised by the community. More than 200 volunteers were involved in assembling the new playground during a three-day community build held last summer and it was formally dedicated in August 2014. The playground covers 1.2 acres of the park and features a modern, eco-friendly design that is fully accessible and supports youth fitness.
The Playground in the Park “Re-Imagined” project was funded in part by a $300,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant as well as several generous sponsorships and community contributions. Community members can still support the project with the purchase of a personalized, engraved brick paver that will be installed in the entry plaza of the playground. Learn more at http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/866/Brick-Program.