Detroit Pistons Launch Enhanced Basketball Program
The Eight-Week Program Will Engage Youngsters and Adults at Adams Butzel Recreation Complex, Clark Park, Palmer Park, Pingree Park, and Jayne Field/Lasky Recreation Center Through Sept. 23
Detroit — The city of Detroit and the Detroit Pistons launched an enhanced eight-week ‘Pistons Neighbors Program’ on July 29 that will provide programming for youngsters and adults at Adams Butzel Recreation Complex, Clark Park, Palmer Park, Pingree Park and Jayne Field/Lasky Recreation Center in Detroit through September 23.
Funding support from the William Davidson Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation will support an extensive programming plan for Detroiters and brings in Biederman Redevelopment Ventures (BRV), a nationally known urban planning, programming and park redevelopment consultant, to execute on community engagement efforts throughout the eight-week program with help from local Detroit organizers and to steward programming in all five parks.
Last summer, the Pistons ran an inaugural six-week program at Bennett and Rouge parks—providing one hour of programming, one day a week for six weeks. The additional support from BRV this year allows for afternoon programming and activation on Wednesdays through Sundays at five parks throughout the city.
BRV founder Dan Biederman said he was excited about building on the Pistons Neighbors Program using his firm’s urban planning and programming knowledge, and noted expansion of the program is a perfect example of how the public and private sector can come together to benefit the community.
“The parks we’ll be working in are varied, and so are the community groups we’ll be involved with,” he says.
“Renovating courts is not where our commitment ends, it’s just the beginning,” says Detroit Pistons Vice Chairman Arn Tellem. “Having a real impact on Detroit and Detroiters is very intentional for us as an organization. Through partnerships with the City of Detroit, William Davidson Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and BRV, we are utilizing Detroiters to help run these activities in their parks, while ensuring that more young people and adults have activities citywide throughout the summer and into the fall.”
During an eight-week period beginning July 29 and ending Sept. 23, five parks will host socially-distanced and safe daily programming and activities geared towards everyone from families and youth, to adults and seniors. The host parks will be Adam Butzel Recreation Complex, Clark Park, Palmer Park, Pingree Park, and Jayne Field/Lasky Recreation Center.
Programming will include daily drop-in activities such as games, sports training, and fitness equipment at each park, and five or more scheduled programs per week at each park including music, dance, art activities, beekeeping, and multi-sport skills. Activity areas for neighborhood participants will be staffed at each park location and to participate in the program, children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Detroit Police Department is partnering on this initiative and will have a presence throughout the program. All programming is free and available to everyone. To participate and sign up for programming and activities at one of the five parks visit www.pistons.com/neighbors.
Detroit Parks & Recreation is proud to offer exciting activations in its parks for residents to enjoy.
“We are so thankful for the partners at the Detroit Pistons, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., and the William Davidson Foundation, who are dedicated to helping renew joy and vitality to our parks, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic,” says Meagan Elliott, Chief Parks Planner, City of Detroit. “The City is determined to provide safe opportunities for Detroiters to get out and enjoy their parks which are key to enhancing health and wellness during these challenging times.”
The health of the community is the organizers’ top priority as activities commence in each park. All staff and engagement instructors are trained in COVID safety protocols that follow CDC guidelines and are equipped with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Additionally, activities will be properly social-distanced using non-shared materials following CDC guidelines and the protocols set by city and state officials. The program will provide free masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to participants.
The Pistons’ “Basketball For All” community initiative launched during the summer of 2018 and runs concurrently with the organization’s six-year court refurbishment project. Elements of the program include providing basketballs to Detroit youth, encouraging participation and usage of refurbished courts, and teaching the benefits of basketball. Over 20,000 basketballs have been distributed since the first year of activation. Basketball For All program supporting partners include Delta Dental, DTE Energy, Flagstar Bank, Nike, and Strategic Staffing Solutions.
Support for the court refurbishment program builds on significant philanthropic investments Pistons owner Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons Foundation have already made in Detroit through partnerships with organizations like Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, the Detroit Police Athletic League, the S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park, City Year Detroit, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Sphinx Program, Dave Bing’s BINGO Mentoring Program, the Jalen Rose Youth Leadership Academy and Forgotten Harvest. For more information on the Basketball For All program, visit www.pistons.com/basketballforall