Crowdfunding campaign launched for ‘Soo Splash Pad at Project Playground’ project in Sault Ste. Marie

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – A new and fully accessible splashpad will soon be activated in an underused space in Sault Ste. Marie’s Project Playground with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Chippewa County Community Foundation announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by January 8, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/ssp.

“Reviving an underutilized space into a community asset for all to enjoy is what this program is all about,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “The Soo Splash Pad is a collaborative effort of the entire community, and we are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The Soo Splash Pad Committee was launched in 2019 by a group of motivated moms in Sault Ste. Marie who have been working tirelessly to bring our community a splash pad. The Soo Splash Pad committee has teamed up with the Chippewa County Community Foundation, as well as the City and Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, to bring the Soo Splash Pad to life.

This campaign will raise the funding needed to fully complete the space with amazing above and below ground spray features, with a goal to open it for public use in summer 2022. The splash pad will activate an underused portion of Project Playground in Sault St. Marie making it a space for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

“Through this Public Spaces Community Places grant, nearly all fundraising goals will be met for the construction of a splash pad in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Amanda TenEyck, Soo Splash Pad Committee member. “This community-building attraction will give children of all ages and abilities a safe and enjoyable water play experience. Obtaining this grant means enhancing an already beautiful and beloved city park and enriching the community surrounding it.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“The Michigan Municipal League is a firm believer in building community wealth in ways that build on existing assets to enhance the human experience for everyone,” said Dan Gilmartin, the League’s CEO and Executive Director. “Taking an underused portion of a park in Sault Ste. Marie and turning it into a fully accessible splashpad for all does both. With the support of the Soo-area community, this effort will improve the human experience for everyone for years to come. That is what community wealth building is about.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of Nov. 5, 2021, MEDC has provided more than $9.5 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 295 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $10.9 million raised from 51,096 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning our matching funds.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.