Just reviewing yesterday’s email chain with City of Detroit officials. In response to my email requesting the city stop deconstruction at the park, Alicia C. Bradford, director of the Detroit Recreation Department, said this at 10:53 a.m.: “… We are reviewing information and budget to determine if we will be able to replace equipment.” Brad … Continue Reading →
Exact email from Brad Dick, deputy director of Detroit’s General Service Department: “Michael. As we’ve said we are meeting with folks on Friday. The plan is to move a new and safe play scape to Fletcher Field one that won’t harm children playing on it. Thank you.” We’ll hold him to it …
Friends, I need your help IMMEDIATELY. The City of Detroit, in all its wisdom — and with blight, hopelessness and safety concerns around every corner — is threatening to pull the playground equipment from the park, citing “safety issues,” in essence closing the park. I don’t think they fully understand the amount of people involved … Continue Reading →
Next week (Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18) a busload of youth (about 40 kids between the ages of 14 and 18) will be working in and around Fletcher Field. The undertaking, which is through Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will include four work ventures in the morning and early afternoon, then art projects … Continue Reading →
It’s been nearly eight years since the resurrection of Fletcher Field. I remember back when this whole thing began, writing about my vision for the future of the neighborhood surrounding the park. That vision of an entirely rebuilt, diverse community within a decade has proven to be — to say the least — unrealistic. But … Continue Reading →
A flock of geese flew over Fletcher Field in a V-formation Wednesday evening, and it got the children there all excited. The first to see the flock — a young boy of about 8 — pointed to the sky and screamed for our attention. “LOOK-EEE!” he exclaimed. I then asked the kids what other wildlife … Continue Reading →
We met at Fletcher Field on Wednesday for a reconnaissance mission — a look-and-see what needs to be done before the annual spring cleanup at the park, which takes place Saturday (10 a.m. sharp for those who want to help). I arrived about 5:45 p.m., 20 minutes ahead of most of the rest of the … Continue Reading →
So it sounds like the thrift store at St. Raymond — which does so much in its community — is in trouble. The woman who runs it has taken ill and will be out for a substantial amount of time. To keep the store in operation, they’re looking for volunteers on Saturdays from 9 a.m. … Continue Reading →
The days grow longer. The temps rise. The snow and ice fade. More memories made at Fletcher Field are just around the corner now.
If you’d like to support our work at Fletcher Field in a simple way, we just registered our non-profit partner, CKM Community Development Corporation, in the Kroger Community Rewards Program. When you shop at Kroger and use your Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card, we will receive cash donations if you register your card online and provide … Continue Reading →
