More than 1,400 residents share priorities for Flint parks

In May, we invited Flint residents to share priorities for park improvements throughout the city. Thank you to the more than 1,400 community members who gave input!

This effort is part of the Mott Foundation’s commitment of up to $20 million to improve parks and playgrounds throughout the city of Flint.

Staff at the Mott Foundation, the city of Flint, Keep Genesee County Beautiful and other partnering organizations are now working together to review all the votes and project ideas you submitted.

Below are the items that received the most votes across all parks:

1. Repair parking lot.
2. Add pavilion/picnic area (tables and grills).
3. Add or repair walking paths and trails.
4. Add skate park or bike park.
5. Repair or add playground equipment.
6. Add a nature playscape.
7. Fix, move or add tennis courts.
8. Add outdoor workout equipment.
9. Add boulders and border safety.
10. Add or repair bleachers and seating.

While we don’t yet know the exact plans for each park, there are some details we can share with you now:

• The improvements to parks throughout the city of Flint will be done in phases, with a goal of completing all projects by the end of 2027.
• Residents let us know that safety at the parks is important to them, and one way to help with that is to install boulders around the parks. You’ll see that work begin this summer and fall.
• Representatives from the Mott Foundation, Genesee County Parks, the city of Flint and Flint SK810 recently toured several skate parks in Southeast Michigan to learn more about what features we might be able to bring to Flint.
• In the coming weeks and months, we’ll share more about specific plans at parks throughout the city.
• While significant work may not happen at every city park, the goal is to make sure improvements happen throughout the city.
• As part of the $20 million commitment, more than $7 million was granted to Flint Community Schools to renovate playgrounds at five elementary schools. That work is well underway. A ribbon cutting was held for Freeman Elementary on July 15. The other four playgrounds will be open before school starts in the fall.

More details to come. Thank you for helping to make Flint parks even better!