Northwest Goldberg nonprofit raises more than $12K in crowdfunding campaign for art park

Nonprofit NW Goldberg Cares aims to transform a blighted lot at 16th and Marquette streets into an art park by this fall after recently raising more than $7,500 through a crowdfunding campaign, exceeding its goal of $5,100.

The money raised from the Patronicity campaign plus a matching $5,100 grant by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, for a total of more than $12,000, will enable the nonprofit to start work on the park and complete it by fall. The funding will be used toward: wood fencing, landscaping, a sculpture created by a local artist, stonework, pathways, and benches. The space will host events such as spoken word nights, community cleanups, picnics, and other activities geared toward families.

Initially called ORIGINAL CREATIVITY, the group aims to revitalize this neighborhood that has faced disinvestment and abandonment over the last few decades. But it's also near local institutions such as Henry Ford Hospital and the Motown Museum, the latter fitting in perfectly with the mission and intent of 6102. Art Park, says NW Goldberg Cares founder and president Daniel Washington. Daniel Washington, founder of NW Goldberg Cares. Photo by Steve Koss.

“The reason why an art park makes so much sense is because this neighborhood has such a great relationship (with) art,” Washington says, noting the iconic sound of Motown was created in this neighborhood. “And when you think about public spaces, when you think about places that people want to convene, it is typically around art. … (we thought) let's do something impactful that people can be proud of.”

The park is located at the corner of one of the more populated streets in the neighborhood, Washington says, and with more residents and organizations moving in, they wanted the park to be a welcoming sight to newcomers as well as a provide a gathering space for current residents.

Washington founded the group in 2017 as a way to make an impact on the neighborhood, where he was born and raised and now owns a home in, “that's been so forgotten for so many years,” he says. With the art park, he wanted to do more than a mural or a cleanup.

The goal was to create something "that is intentionally done well in a space where people can enjoy," he says. "And that's what I was hoping to accomplish with the art park. Fast forward two years later and actually now to be in a position to execute the art park, it's not only humbling, but it's exciting, exciting for myself as a founder, but also for this neighborhood to be able to welcome a new public space that we can all be proud of.”

Correction: The headline has been updated to reflect the total amount of funds raised: more than $7,500 in the campaign with a $5,100 matching grant.