Murdock Jemerson, director of Lansing Parks and Recreation, addresses the crowd at the first Hunter Park Music Fest, July 30 2005.
Hunter Park, under the jurisdiction of the City of Lansing Parks and Recreation Department, is bounded on three sides by Kalamazoo, Clifford, and Holmes Streets. This 13-acre jewel of the Eastside features basketball and tennis courts, a pool, and beautiful rolling hills.
In the summer of 2004, ANC, Lansing Parks and Recreation, and Capital Consultants, Inc. hosted community meetings geared toward construction of a master plan for Hunter Park (as part of Lansing Parks and Recreation's five-year plan update). In this process, residents identified a number of desired park improvements.
Lansing Parks and Recreation summarizes these (see this PDF, pages 14 and 34) as a four-phase plan:
Tentative image of the plan for Hunter Park's future (click for larger image)
Friends of Hunter Park is working with ANC and Lansing Parks and Recreation to implement these ideas. Our Cool City catalyst grant will provide much of the funding for two important improvements: the paved perimeter path and the greenhouse.
Artist's conception of path
The walking path will be an 8'-wide paved path around the 1/2 mile perimeter of the park. Eventually, lighting and benches will be added to increase the safety and comfort of park visitors. The path will encourage exercise among residents who can use it for walking, jogging, and even cross-country skiing in the winter. ANC will be organizing a walking club, and the Friends of Hunter Park will host seasonal events and fundraisers (such as walkathons) utilizing the path.
Since the cost of an athletic club membership is out of reach for many in our neighborhood, a walk with a neighbor or family member on a groomed, accessible path in a lovely setting is a wonderful alternative. We believe that the existence of the path will help build health and build community in the neighborhoods surrounding the park.
[Conception image coming soon.]
A 100' x 30' greenhouse (also known as a hoop house) will be constructed for year-round production of vegetables (and other plantings) within the 13-acre park. It will house:
Special consideration will be given to ensuring culturally appropriate and in-demand vegetables, fruits, and herbs are accessible to the neighborhood. The embedded location of this project will eliminate transportation barriers and offer the option of work-share agreements for neighbors.
In conjunction with neighborhood schools, a portion of the greenhouse will be designated as a teaching and entrepreneurial site. Youth will plant and maintain an urban fruit and vegetable farm. The resulting produce will then be sold at the ANC Farmers Market and throughout the neighborhood via mobile vegetable carts. Students will be involved in every process of the urban farm's production, from planting to profits. The garden scholars will give public tours of the facility and teach gardening skills to peers. Through these activities, young people will be introduced to the food system and to a tangible sense of ownership in their community.
Questions or comments about the site? Contact us or email penniman@gmail.com.