David Hollister presenting award to Joan Nelson
In partnership with Lansing Parks and Recreation and Friends of Hunter Park, Allen Neighborhood Center applied for and received a Cool Cities award for the Hunter Park Project. This project is one of 13 in the state to receive the Cool Cities "Neighborhoods in Progress" designation, which lasts for three years. During this time, we will maintain focus on improvements in Hunter Park and surrounding areas, even while we take full advantage of priority access to the State Resource Toolbox.
What is the Cool Cities program?
The Cool Cities program is part of Governor Granholm's economic plan. It is designed to help revitalize Michigan's cities by retaining and attracting the people and jobs critical to the emerging economies of the 21st century, and also to encourage a new level of collaboration and cooperation among all state departments as they attempt to help cities grow in investments and in population. The Cool Cities program selects multiple projects each year to receive a grant for a "catalyst project" and a Cool City designation which allows priority access to the State Resource Toolbox.
What is the State Resource Toolbox?
The State Resource Toolbox is a collection of all of the grants, tax credits, loans, and services available through Michigan's state government. During the three-year period of Cool City designation, awardees are considered for these resources before non-designated cities. This is what the state refers to as "priority access."
What is ANC's catalyst project?
Our Neighborhoods in Progress award is for the Hunter Park Project. Hunter Park is a beautiful 13-acre park with rolling hills, bounded on three sides by Kalamazoo, Holmes, and Clifford Streets. Despite its beauty, the park has been underutilized, and, because of its underutilization, the park has had some problems with undesirable activity in the past. In 2004, ANC and Lansing Parks and Recreation co-hosted the 2004 Hunter Park Master Plan Update. Thirty residents were involved in this creative, three-session engagement and planning process. The process produced a ten-step improvement plan that will establish Hunter Park as a neighbor-friendly venue for a wide range of activities designed to build health and community. Out of this planning process, Friends of Hunter Park was formed, which became another partner in ANC's application to Cool Cities.
The Cool Cities catalyst grant goes toward two of these improvements: an 8'-wide paved perimeter path and a large (100' x 30') greenhouse on the park grounds. The path will encourage exercise among residents who can use it for walking, jogging, and even cross-country skiing in the winter. The greenhouse will allow year-round production of vegetables and other plantings, housing
The path and the greenhouse will be installed in spring 2006; the other improvements are intended to be completed within the next 3-5 years.
Are any other projects being pursued at this time?
Absolutely! Explore our Cool City projects page for more information.
How can I get involved?
Contact Joan, or review the contact information on the Cool City projects page for those projects.
Questions or comments about the site? Contact us or email penniman@gmail.com.