| In This Issue... ●Annual Membership Meeting Report ●Upcoming Events: Earth Day Clean-Up, Cinco de Flores Wildflower Walk ●March Volunteer Workday Recaps ●DWSD Stormwater Project Update |
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The Friends of Rouge Park Mission: To protect, restore, and promote a natural, environmentally healthy, and culturally vibrant Rouge Park that engages the community for the benefit and enjoyment of all. We can't do it without your support! |
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On March 19, over 60 Friends of Rouge Park members and supporters joined us at the Brennan Poolhouse for dinner from nearby Kabob Inn, a glass of wine and Paula's homemade desserts to celebrate the amazing success and growth of the organization in 2023. We elected the 2024 Board of Directors, recognized park heroes, and heard about the new strategic plan as well as exciting new plans to grow the organization to better serve the community. |
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2024 Best Friend of Rouge Park: Alex Allen III |
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Alex Allen III received the Best Friend of Rouge Park award for his inspirational work to help form and grow the Detroit Parks Coalition into a critical voice for Detroit's regional parks. He is the President of the Detroit Parks Coalition and President and CEO of the Chandler Parks Conservancy. His expertise and assistance has been invaluable in helping FORP to develop and expand new programming in Rouge Park. FORP Board members Arthur Edge and Lorraine Harris presented the awards. |
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2024 Best Partner of Rouge Park: David Sumners |
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David Sumners, Manager of the Park Development Unit for the City of Detroit received the Best Partner of Rouge Park award for his endless hard work and dedication to improving Rouge Park. He has always gone far above the call of duty in responding to requests for park repairs and improvements from our organization and is always eager and enthusiastic about his work and love for Rouge Park. His co-worker Lorraine Houston accepted the award since he was out of town. |
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Friends of Rouge Park 2023-26 Strategic Plan Former board member Sam Shopinski presented Friends of Rouge Park's 2023-26 Strategic Plan. He has been assisting the board and park stakeholders to developing the plan. This is a working document to capture where we are as an organization now, describe where we envision that we will be in three years, identify priorities, and to outline strategies. Members and stakeholders are invited to review the plan and provide feedback. |
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2024 Board Elections Attendees got to meet the 2023 board and staff (pictured below). Thank you to outgoing member Kenyetta Campbell. Results of the board election included all current board members being re-elected as well as three new trustees: Yvonne Pullom-Bass (Detroit Parks Coalition), Patrick Duggan (Pistons Foundation), and JJ Velez (Gilbert Family Foundation). We also have created a new board position of City Liaison which will be filled by Kate Gmyrek. You can view the meeting presentation here and some photos. |
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FORP 2023 Board and staff From left: Alex Allen IV (Program Manager), Board Members: Rachel Meeker, Cara Beld, Garrett Dempsey, Paula Trilety, Lorraine Harris, Antonio Cosme (Land Stewardship Manager), Paul Stark, Arthur Edge, Sally Petrella. (not pictured: Chris Jackson and Kenyetta Campbell) |
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Celebrate Earth Day in Rouge Park Sunday April 21 |
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There are two options for Earth Day in Rouge Park this year. You can choose to pick-up trash along Joy Rd. by the Buffalo Soldiers Horse Barn, or help create a nature play area in the Joe Prance Recreation Area. You can also bring home your very own fruit or nut tree, including american plum, pawpaw, persimmon (1-2' size only), american hazelnut, and redbud at the barn as supplies last. Register here. |
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March has been a beautiful month for stewardship work, April will be even better.
The soil has been moist, the canopy open. On brighter days, the sun shines down on the forest floor, many trees are budding, like the maple trees blooming into flowers in the sky, complemented by spring ephemeral flowers just now blooming on the forest floor marking a very special, brief window in the cycle of the seasons, a perfect time of year to enjoy the natural wonder of Rouge Park!
At the start of the month, we worked in the sugarbush area, Outer Drive south of Tireman along the Stone Bridge Nature Trail. We cleared an enormous pile of invasive honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and buckthorn over three workdays!! |
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Cherry Orchard Workdays Recap |
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On March 24 and 30, the Friends of Rouge Park organized a successful invasive species removal event in preparation for planting a cherry orchard on April 6. With the participation of over 50 volunteers, invasive species like honeysuckle and buckthorn were cleared from the area despite the slightly wet weather from an early rain. The event provided an opportunity for community bonding and connection with the land, as volunteers from diverse backgrounds united for the common goal of creating a beautiful cherry orchard that will yield fruit for years. Notably, members of the Palestine Youth Movement joined in both to volunteer and celebrate Land Day, adding to the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. |
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Visit the Edison Branch Library website here. See the complete list of upcoming events here. |
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Free the Weeping Cherry Work Day
Friday April 12 at 4:30-7:30pm
Help us free the blooming trees from invasive species
Register
Detroit Parks Safety and Belonging
Dinner and Listening Session
Tuesday April 16 at 6-8pm
Brennan Poolhouse
Fill out Survey (even if you cannot attend)
Honeysuckle Happy Hour & Wildflower Walk Work Day
Thursday April 18 at 4:30-7:30pm
Help us remove invasive species from the woods and enjoy the spring wildflowers
Register
Rouge Park Earth Day Cleanup
Sunday April 21, 10am-12pm
Free fruit and nut trees while they last: American plum, Pawpaw, Persimmon (1-2' size only), American hazelnut, Redbud
Two choices:
1. Help clean up along Joy Road, meet at the BSHA barn (map) 2. Assist in invasive species work and building a nature play area in Joe Prance Recreation Area (map)
Register
Vernal Pond Study
Saturday April 27 at 11am-12:30 pm
Take a walk with us in the woods and explore a vernal pond and help us survey it.
Kids 10 and older welcome when accompanied by a participating adult.
Register
Cinco de Flores Spring Wildflower Walk
Sunday May 5, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Ma'iingan Wildwood Trail (map)
Join FORP's Land Stewardship Manager Antonio Cosme on a walk to find spring wildflowers.
Register
Rouge Park Appreciation Day
Saturday May 18 9am-1pm
SE corner of Joy and Spinoza
Help clean up and restore Rouge Park at our biggest annual clean up of the year. Lunch provided for all volunteers.
Register |
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