Parks, Public Spaces, and Philanthropy: A Detroit Learning Journey with Pittsburgh Leaders
Some of our favorite Learning Journeys bring together leaders from other cities with philanthropic organizations looking to learn from Detroit's successes, challenges, and community-driven solutions.
Last year, we welcomed a delegation of philanthropic leaders from The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Hillman Family Foundations, and several of the organizations they support in Pittsburgh. Together, they came to Detroit to better understand how parks and public spaces can serve as catalysts for stronger neighborhoods, healthier communities, and long-term economic development.
The trip was especially meaningful because it also included two former Detroiters who were excited to see how the city has evolved. Throughout the Learning Journey, they discovered projects, neighborhoods, and organizations they wished they had known about when they lived here, a reminder of just how much Detroit continues to innovate.
While parks and public spaces were the focus, the experience went far beyond visiting great places. Throughout the two-day Learning Journey, City Institute connected each stop with Detroit's broader story, helping participants understand how public spaces intersect with community development, health, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and quality of life.
Participants met leaders from major institutions and grassroots organizations alike, learning how Detroit's collaborative culture has enabled transformative projects at every scale from internationally recognized public spaces to neighborhood parks powered by local champions.
The conversations continued well after the final tour stop. During the group's closing debrief, participants described feeling inspired, energized, humbled, and motivated. They reflected on Detroit's culture of collaboration, community pride, and willingness to pursue bold ideas, while identifying tangible ways to apply those lessons back home including creating stronger partnerships around public spaces, developing new collaborative funding models, and engaging civic champions in Pittsburgh.
The conversations didn't end when the Learning Journey did. During the group's closing debrief, participants identified concrete next steps inspired by what they experienced in Detroit, including convening regional partners around parks and public spaces, strengthening collaboration among philanthropic organizations and grantees, exploring new funding models for innovation, and engaging civic champions to help advance transformational projects in Pittsburgh.
For City Institute, that's the ultimate goal of every Learning Journey: not just to inspire new ideas, but to equip leaders to return home ready to put them into action.
“City Institute created a learning journey that allowed philanthropic leaders and grantees from Pittsburgh to learn alongside Detroit’s changemakers. By focusing on parks and public spaces, and connecting them to community development, health, and sustainability, they helped us see how place-based investments can drive broader impact. Hearing from leaders across Detroit, from major institutions to neighborhood organizations, offered lessons we’re excited to take back home. For those of us with roots in Detroit, it was especially meaningful to experience the city today and gain insights we wish we’d had years ago.”
Itinerary Stops
Downtown Detroit Public Spaces
A walking tour of Spirit Plaza, Campus Martius Park, and Beacon Park, highlighting how intentional programming, public-private partnerships, and thoughtful design have transformed downtown into a vibrant civic destination. Participants heard from leaders at the Downtown Detroit Partnership and the Gilbert Family Foundation about creating welcoming, activated public spaces.
Northwest Goldberg Neighborhood
A neighborhood experiencing thoughtful reinvestment that demonstrates how strategic partnerships and community leadership can strengthen neighborhoods while improving quality of life.
Ella Fitzgerald Park
A neighborhood park reimagined through Reimagining the Civic Commons, showcasing how investment in parks can foster community connection, health, and neighborhood pride. Participants also learned about the work of Live6 Alliance and the City of Detroit to revitalize the surrounding corridor, with a stop at Detroit Sip, one of the first new businesses to open along Six Mile.
Michigan Central
A landmark restoration and innovation campus illustrating how adaptive reuse, mobility innovation, and public access can anchor broader neighborhood revitalization.
Detroit Riverfront – Cullen Plaza & Valade Park
Part of Detroit's internationally recognized riverfront transformation, these public spaces demonstrate the impact of long-term investment, strong stewardship, and accessible waterfront design led by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
Clark Park
A vibrant community park in Southwest Detroit that illustrates how neighborhood leadership and partnerships can create welcoming, active public spaces for residents of all ages.
The Belt & Library Street Collective
A once-underutilized alley transformed into a celebrated public art destination, highlighting how creativity, local business, and placemaking can activate urban spaces.
The Shepherd
A former church transformed into a thriving arts and cultural campus, demonstrating the role of adaptive reuse and creative placemaking in neighborhood revitalization.
West Warren Gateway & Joe Louis Greenway
A key connection point along the Joe Louis Greenway, illustrating how greenways can connect neighborhoods, expand recreation, improve mobility, and support equitable economic development.