Art-Gineer Studio - Kef Parker

Introducing a new art project that centered around stormwater management

Cost

$2,500 to $5,500

Participation

Volunteer + Professional

stormwater

Good

IMPLEMENTER TYPE

Grantee

INSTALLATION YEAR

2016

sun/shade

Sun

Kef Parker, artist and owner of Art Gineer Studio, decided to expand his range of skills by introducing a new art project that centered around stormwater management. He chose to blend elements of three lot designs to create a design that would be a place for people to visit and enjoy.   
Lot Type
Unknown
Special Lot Condition
Single
Project Name
Georgia Street Community Collective

Art-Gineer Studio - Kef Parker

Introducing a new art project that centered around stormwater management

Organization

Art-Gineer Studio - Kef Parker

Cost

$2,500 to $5,500

Project Timeline

05/2016 - 07/2016

Project Leader(s):

Kef Parker and Mark Covington

Participation:

Volunteer + Professional

Who Else Was Involved:

Youth Volunteers

Lot Design:

Native Butterfly MeadowClean + GreenMix 'N Match Meadow

Lot Type

Unknown

Lot Size

Single Lot

Lot Address

9410 Georgia St Detroit, MI 48213


Before
After
Describe the overall process for transforming your lot.

We had to first remove a multitude of overgrown weeds and trees.  We then transformed three large trash dump hills into a large manicured, grass-covered, sculpted bump/hill. We also removed a wooden tree stump, reshaped two other tree stumps to support art sculptures, and installed a bench.  To complete the project, 300 native flowers were added to the lot, as well as a glass bead sculpture.

Did you customize your lot design? If so, how?

Yes. We utilized the existing features of the lot to make it more user friendly. The objective was to take a community lot with a worn crossing path and convert it into a community walking and sitting park. 

Is your current project part of a larger plan, goal, or initiative within your community?

Yes

Purpose of the Project:

Beautification, Public Open Space

Lessons Learned
Land Acquisition

The community leader owned the land.

Skill Building

Everyone involved learned more about gardening, project management, and community building. The project also helped youth learn a new skill.

Community Engagement

Sharing, building, and networking.

Fundraising

Working with Lots Mini-Grant Program. No additional fundraising

Other

What was challenging about this process, and how did you adapt?

Working within the mini-grant program timeline was a challenge. There were a lot of moving parts, and coordinating our implementation with community efforts and the technical assistance provided by DFC was stressful. However, all in all, everything worked out. Receiving technical assistance helped us tremendously and in the end we got it all done. 

What is the maintenance plan for this project after its first year?

The maintenance plan will consist of the upkeep of the flowerbed, sculpture, and the bench.