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Inspiring Our Community to Activate and Celebrate Detroit's Green Spaces, One Park at a Time

Empowering Detroit’s communities to take ownership of our parks, connect with the beauty of nature, and work together to create a greener, more sustainable future. Through local stewardship and shared experiences, we’re fostering a sense of pride, unity, and purpose—helping to build a city where green spaces thrive, and every person plays a part in shaping a healthier community for generations to come.

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759

HOUSEHOLDS SIGNED UP FOR RECYCLING CARTS

Our Backyard Detroit Impact Over Time

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EVENTS HOSTED

1097.8

POUNDS OF WASTE CLEANED

5493

RESIDENTS ENGAGED

Our Backyard Detroit (OBD) is a community-driven movement that brings Detroiters together to nurture and activate our local parks and green spaces. Through hands-on workshops, exciting events, and leadership coaching we provide opportunities for residents to roll up their sleeves and take pride in their parks, become stewards, advocate for the community, and create positive change. Whether you’re passionate about beautification, organizing events, or simply enjoying the outdoors with like-minded neighbors, OBD offers a place for everyone to get involved, build meaningful connections, and contribute to a more vibrant Detroit. Let’s create parks that aren’t just places to visit—but thriving community hubs that bring us together, spark creativity, and embrace sustainability. Join us in building a stronger, cleaner, and greener Detroit—one park at a time.”

Why Get Involved?
Whether you're a longtime resident, a new neighbor, or someone who simply wants to make a difference, joining OBD means playing an active role in shaping the future of Detroit’s parks. By participating, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with others who care about their community, develop leadership and project management skills, and contribute to creating safe, vibrant, and welcoming public spaces. Volunteering with OBD isn’t just about cleaning up a park—it’s about building a lasting impact, strengthening local networks, and learning how to turn ideas into action. No matter your background or experience, your voice and effort can help transform Detroit’s green spaces for generations to come.

Everyday Champion Mini-Grants

Funding community-led cleanup events across Detroit neighborhoods.

The Our Backyard Detroit Everyday Champion Mini-Grant Program provides up to $550 in reimbursement funding to support individuals, neighborhood groups, schools, and small businesses working to organize park and greenspace cleanup events in their communities. Eligible projects may include cleanups in neighborhood parks, vacant lots, schoolyards, or other shared public greenspaces throughout Detroit.

Applications for the 2026 pilot program will open on June 1, 2026, and close on July 30, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with funding available for up to 10 community cleanup events during the pilot year. Funded events must be completed, and all receipts submitted for reimbursement, by September 30, 2026.

The program is designed to empower Detroiters to take an active role in caring for and improving the outdoor spaces in their own neighborhoods while building community pride, connection, and stewardship.

How it works 

Submit a short online application

  1. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

  2. Selected applicants organize their cleanup event

  3. Save receipts and take photos during your event

  4. Submit receipts and event photos for reimbursement

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to be a nonprofit?

No. Individuals, neighborhood groups, schools, small businesses, and community organizations are all welcome to apply. You do not need nonprofit status to be eligible.

Can I apply as an individual?

Yes! The Everyday Champion Mini-Grant Program is designed to support everyday Detroiters who want to organize cleanup and beautification efforts in their communities.

 

What kinds of spaces qualify?

Projects must take place in publicly accessible greenspaces within the city of Detroit. Eligible spaces may include parks, vacant lots, schoolyards, community spaces, blocks, or other shared outdoor areas that would benefit from cleanup and activation.

 

What can funds be used for?

Funds may be used for cleanup supplies, volunteer refreshments, outreach materials, and beautification items such as plants, mulch, or grass seed. All expenses should directly support your cleanup event and stay within the $550 funding limit.

 

How does reimbursement work?

Selected applicants will organize and complete their cleanup event first, then submit receipts and photos from the event for reimbursement. Additional instructions will be shared with funded participants.

 

Can I partner with others?

Absolutely. We encourage collaboration between neighbors, block clubs, schools, businesses, and community groups to help make cleanup events successful and community-driven.

Is everyone eligible?

Any programs who have already received funding from the Gilbert Family Foundation for greenspace improvements (such as the grant through DPC) you are ineligible for this funding.  

Together

We are building a network of local Champions to activate and steward our parks and recreation areas to promote a healthier and cleaner city. 

Partnership

Green Living Science is partnering with the Gilbert Family Foundation to lift up Detroit residents with the resources and opportunities to help public spaces get the attention and care they deserve.

The goal:

To increase access to healthy green spaces in the City of Detroit!

What is Our Backyard Detroit?

Parks


We’ve identified seven host parks across Detroit’s seven Neighborhood Districts where community Champions can help bridge the gap between City departments and the needs of public community spaces, organizing programs like:

Park Clean Up

Anti-Litter Initiatives 

Recycling Education 

Community Events

...And More

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Parks

Sawyer Playfield

Patton Park

James T Hope Playfield Park

Maheras-Gentry Park

Pingree Park

St. Hedwig Park

Zussman Park

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Jennifer Spivey

Sawyer Playfield

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Lisa Rodriguez

Patton Park

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Chantia Tompson

James T Hope Playfield Park

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Yesenia Nunez

St Hedwig Park

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John Meyers

Maheras-Gentry Park

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Kaytea Moreno-Elst

Pingree Park

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Lezlie Robinson

 Zussman Park

Meet The Champions

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Gracie Delacruz

Patton Park

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Jasmine Bettis

James T Hope Playfield Park

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Natalia McIntyre

St Hedwig Park

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Rhonda Ervin

Maheras-Gentry Park

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Toya Oglesby 

Pingree Park

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Tenay Hankins

Zussman Park

Meet The Champions

Assistant Park Champions

Assistant Park Champions

Partners

Gilbert.avif
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Upcoming Events

Our Impact & Story

Our Story

Our Backyard Detroit (OBD) is a community-centered project designed to empower residents to take ownership of Detroit’s public green spaces. Inspired by our youth nature activity book, Bee Green In Your Backyard, the program’s name reflects the vision of parks and green spaces as extensions of residents’ homes—a “backyard” for all to enjoy.

In a city shaped by its industrial heritage, many Detroiters live in apartments or condos with limited access to private green spaces. OBD reinforces the idea that stewarded parks can serve as vibrant, welcoming backyards for everyone, fostering a sense of pride and connection to nature.

We also address the concept of NIMBY ("Not In My Backyard"), challenging it with a proactive, community-driven approach. Through anti-littering campaigns, public space programming, and hands-on stewardship initiatives, we encourage residents to define and support positive behaviors that align with their vision for local parks and communal green spaces.

In addition to community engagement, OBD provides professional development opportunities to equip park stewards with the skills and knowledge to lead impactful projects. Champions participate in:

  • Professional Development Day, a full-day experience featuring expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and workshops to strengthen leadership and project management skills.

  • Field Trips, exposing champions to different pedagogy styles in the field and offering firsthand experience with successful green space initiatives.

  • Skill-Building Workshops, covering topics such as event planning, fundraising, social media marketing, and community engagement.

  • Assisted Training Manuals, providing structured guidance to support champions in planning and executing park improvement projects.

Our Mission

 

Together, we’re creating a movement that transforms parks into thriving hubs of environmental stewardship, recreation, and community leadership—empowering Detroiters to shape and sustain the green spaces they call home.

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