A Look at Public Spaces Community Places in FY2025

Launched in 2014, Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) is a placemaking grant match program created by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in partnership with the Michigan Municipal League and Detroit-based civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity to build vibrant communities across the state.

From bike trails and pocket parks to public sculpture projects, public spaces contribute to a strong quality of life, helping to attract and retain talent and strengthen local economies. For the last 11 years, the PSCP program has been dedicated to building vibrant communities with the support of the public.

How Public Spaces Community Places Works

Communities, nonprofits, and municipalities are eligible to launch crowdfunding campaigns through Patronicity, which administers the program. Patronicity provides one-on-one coaching throughout the campaign process and assists the MEDC with grant management, including project approval, fund disbursement and reporting.

Community-led placemaking projects that successfully reach their crowdfunding campaign goal receive a matching grant from the MEDC of up to $50,000, or $75,000 for universally accessible projects (see details below.) Since 2014, the MEDC has invested over $14 million in public space through the program, supporting 421 projects. View the latest stats on the MEDC’s Patronicity dashboard.

FY2025 Impact – By the Numbers

In FY2025, the PSCP program saw thousands of patrons, new community participation and strong economic impact across the state:

• 3,970 total patrons. Over 77,000 patrons have contributed to PSCP campaigns since the program’s inception.
• Nine communities participated in PSCP in 2025 for the first time.
• 70% of projects took place in communities where the median household income was at or below the state’s average.
• 1,180,498 sq. ft. of public space revitalized.
• For every $1 invested by the MEDC via PSCP in 2025, $10.47 was invested privately.

Standout PSCP Projects from FY2025

Explore some of Michigan’s newest public spaces that received support from PSCP crowdfunding campaigns and matching funds from the MEDC.

The Besser Museum’s Discover Northeast Michigan Exhibit

Alpena, Michigan
Crowdfunded: $37,435
MEDC Match: $35,000
Patrons: 54

The Besser Museum launched a crowdfunding campaign in 2024 to create an interactive regional history exhibit. The Discover Northeast Michigan History Exhibit, completed in 2025, transformed outdated exhibit space into an experience that takes visitors from the Big Bang to Big Industry, providing opportunities to learn about Northeast Michigan's rich heritage in a stimulating, family-friendly environment. The museum now features a climbing wall in the Ice Age exhibit, a milkable cow in the Farming exhibit, a digitally animated map of Michigan and more! The successful crowdfunding campaign and matching grant provided the final funding for the $1.8 million exhibit.

“We were really impressed with the new Discover Northeast Michigan History Exhibit! We are so fortunate to have an experience like that in our community. My kids really liked the interactive pieces, and we all couldn't stop looking at the Alpena table map. I so much appreciate the hands-on interactive approach.” – Sarah B.

2025 Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival

Grand Rapids, Michigan
Crowdfunded: $44,712
MEDC Match: $37,500
Patrons: 212

Pleasant Peninsula supports and fosters the conservation, biodiversity, and education of Michigan ecology through public art. With support from the MEDC, the 2025 festival installed 21 murals, each featuring one of Michigan’s endangered species, informed by the research of environmental educators. The festival celebrated art and ecology, featuring live music, food, speakers from local conservation organizations, 50+ vendors and educational opportunities, attended by over 2,500 community members.

“I never could have imagined what a festival themed around conservation and endangered wildlife would even look like, but this has exceeded every single one of my expectations, and there are way more people here than I ever thought was possible. Everyone is here having fun being a part of the conservation community together.” – Jesse L.

Unified Civic Monuments Project

Benton Harbor, Michigan
Crowdfunded: $52,701
MEDC Match: $50,000
Patrons: 149

The Unified Civic Monuments Project established two monuments by artists David Alan Clark and Harold Woodridge, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and fostering a connection between the twin cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. This was a collaborative effort between the African American History & Literature Gallery, Krasl Art Center and Lake Michigan College, with additional support from the BH/SJ Arts & Culture Social Justice Group and the two cities. The monuments bookend the Unity Trail, spanning the St. Joseph and Paw Paw Rivers, symbolically uniting the communities. The project, which kicked off a crowdfunding campaign in Winter 2023 and was completed in Fall 2024, is a reminder of the transformative power of unity and encourages community members to walk together in the fight for justice.

“The monuments have provided a perfect space to learn more about the Civil Rights movement and the legacy of Dr. King. In St. Joe, there is a path leading up to the sculptures with milestones of history laid into the concrete. Each time we visit the statue, we talk about a different milestone. In Benton Harbor, my sons like to sit on the seats that are part of the design, and they especially like the boy that is part of the work. He looks like he is about the same age as my oldest, and that is very special. I know that we will enjoy the monuments for years to come.” – Ashely S.

Fantasy Forest

St. Johns, Michigan
Crowdfunded: $79,405
MEDC Match: $75,000
Patrons: 186

The St. Johns Area Community Fund spearheaded a collaborative effort of the City of St. Johns, St. Johns Rotary, and the Kiwanis 707 Club to replace Fantasy Forest, a beloved but aging playground. The playground, crafted by community volunteers, had fallen into disrepair. The community had a vision to transform the wooden Fantasy Forest playground to be universally accessible, providing freedom of play to all children and their families.

The result is an incredibly imaginative and accessible play space that welcomes people of all abilities to join in and play. The new playground, which opened in 2025, ensures every child, regardless of ability, can experience the physical, mental, social and emotional benefits of play. The crowdfunding campaign launched in 2024 secured the final funding for the $2.4 million project. The group was intimidated by the $75,000 needed to secure the matching grant from the MEDC, but in the end, secured donations from many small businesses, local philanthropic groups and everyday citizens, raising more than $4,000 over their goal!

“For us, an accessible playground isn't just nice-to-have, it's where barriers fall away, and we can simply be together. Fantasy Forest 2.0 isn't just a playground, it's a place where families like ours feel seen, included, and part of something bigger. It's how a community stops from being just where we live and becomes where we belong.” – David W.

Universal Design and Accessibility Funding Extension

PSCP aims to create welcoming community spaces for people of all ages and abilities. In 2023, the program released new guidelines and announced additional funding for projects that incorporate universal design into their site plans to encourage the development of truly inclusive public spaces.

• All projects must meet ADA requirements to be eligible for funding.
• New public spaces that incorporate universal design in the development are eligible for a match of up to $75,000 to create highly accessible public spaces across Michigan.
• Existing public spaces that implement universal design to improve accessibility are eligible for a match of up to $50,000.

Learn how the MEDC helps to create vibrant communities across the state of Michigan.