Thousands of visitors throughout southeast Michigan choose to make their way to the Huron-Clinton Metroparks for outdoor recreation and nature experiences.
In turn, those at the metroparks are committed to breaking barriers that limit access to health, wellness, education and quality of life opportunities even beyond its park boundaries.
The metroparks recently announced an ambitious new multimillion dollar, three-year initiative called Metroparks & Me.
Through the Metroparks & Me initiative, the plan seeks to expand the park’s impact in two pivotal areas: swimming and science learning.
Metroparks, in conjunction with partners, has already taught more than 4,000 youth life-saving water safety skills for free since 2021.
Last school year, more than 2,000 field trips took place in the metroparks and more than 800 educational programs were delivered directly in classrooms.
To expand its impact across Southeast Michigan and reach thousands more families, Metroparks, through the Metroparks Foundation, is looking to raise $2.4 million over three years: $1.8 million for the Supplemental Science program and $600,000 for the Everyone in the Pool program.
Breaking barriers
“Expanding access to life-saving water skills and science learning beyond our park boundaries through Metroparks & Me is one way the metroparks are breaking down barriers and uplifting communities across Southeast Michigan,” said Amy McMillan, director of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. “Metroparks and our partners are serving so many families in the community, and I am incredibly proud of our existing work, but the demand far outweighs the resources currently available. We’ve set an ambitious goal to continue eliminating the disparity in swimming and access to science learning. We’re determined to meet it.”
The Metroparks & Me initiative is expected to have a significant impact on children and families across Southeast Michigan and it is gaining support from leaders across the region.
“I am thrilled to see the Metroparks launch this new initiative to enhance educational opportunities for our community,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “Increasing access to free water safety and swim lessons, as well as providing science programs to under-resourced schools, aligns perfectly with our commitment to equity and education. With a goal to raise $2.4 million over three years, this program will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the lives of many Oakland County residents.”
Access to science learning
According to metropark authorities, every child deserves an opportunity to experience the outdoors and learn about nature, but for far too many children, that opportunity is out of reach.
A reason for that is believed to be due to their schools needing help to afford it.
The initiative is committing to expanding its Supplemental Science program so more students in Southeast Michigan can explore the state’s natural resources through science education and explore career opportunities they might not have otherwise thought possible.
To expand the program into one additional school per year, the metroparks must raise $1.8 million in three years.
Customized learning
Under the science program, metroparks interpretive staff work closely with teachers to create customized, hands-on learning opportunities that align with the existing curriculum.
Interpretive staff visits classrooms multiple times per week for the entire school year to create lasting relationships and foster a love of science.
During the 2022-23 school year, Metroparks’ interpretive staff spent nearly 4,000 hours across 59 school visits, engaging with hundreds of students and their teachers.
According to Metropark data, evaluations with students and teachers at the end of the engagement found that nearly 90% of all eighth graders who participated in the program reported an increase in positive outlook for science, demonstrating the success of the program and excitement from students.
Reversing the Trend
Drowning is an epidemic that hits low-income families and children of color the hardest, with Black children ages 5-19, five and a half times as likely as white children in the same age group to die from drowning.
The metroparks is working with partners to reverse these trends and save lives by increasing access to free swim lessons and lifesaving water skills in underserved communities through the expansion of its Everyone in the Pool swim initiative.
By raising $600,000 in three years, the metroparks and its partners can provide free water safety and swim lessons to more than 12,000 adults and children and expand opportunities for lifeguard certification and staffing infrastructure needed to host these lessons.
“Through this partnership between the YMCA and the metroparks, we have been able to remove barriers such as cost and availability that have deterred Metro Detroiters from prioritizing water safety,” said YMCA Metro Detroit Regional Aquatics Director Amanda Barone. “Our goal is to help every Metro Detroiter have access to learn how to be safe around water. We’re very excited to see the reaction from participants, and the demand for swim lessons for all ages — youth up to adults — that just proves there is a strong need for this kind of work in the community.”
The metroparks is working to reverse the trend and ensure everyone has access to these lifesaving skills. Over the past three years, metroparks has partnered with public and nonprofit organizations throughout its service area (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties) to collaborate on free water safety and swim lessons to more than 4,600 students.
Community partnerships enable the metroparks to support free lessons at various recreation centers and facilities across Southeast Michigan.
Making a commitment
The metroparks recently hosted a press conference at Highview Elementary School in Dearborn Heights in partnership with Crestwood School District, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Wayne County Parks, and community members to celebrate the launch of Metroparks & Me.
In attendance were metroparks Director Amy McMillan, Wayne County Parks Director Alicia Bradford, Crestwood School District Superintendent Dr. Youssef Mosallam, Highview Elementary School Teacher Brian Paul, YMCA Metro Detroit Regional Aquatics Director Amanda Barone, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Senior Director of Programs and Public Spaces Rachel Frierson, and Metroparks Chief of Interpretive Services Jennifer Jaworski.
“This collaboration strongly aligns with Wayne County’s dedication to fostering stranger, healthier communities,” said Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. “Through our joint efforts, the program initiatives are creating vital connections, bridging our parks to metro park systems. The Metroparks & Me initiative ensures inclusive access to life-saving water skills and science education, making a lasting impact on the well-being of our residents and solidifying our commitment to building a healthier, connected community.”
Anyone interested in partnering with or providing funding support to the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Foundation to expand impact through the Metroparks & Me Initiative, can visit the website at metroparks.con/metroparks-and-me/.