Flint Community Schools will celebrate the completion of its second and third newly renovated playgrounds this month, with ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Doyle-Ryder Community Education Center and Potter Elementary School. The celebrations mark another important milestone in a districtwide effort to enhance outdoor learning and recreation spaces for scholars, families, and neighborhoods.
The new playgrounds are part of a more than $7 million grant awarded to Flint Community Schools by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to support playground renovations at five district sites: Freeman Elementary School, Potter Elementary School, Durant-Tuuri-Mott Elementary School, Eisenhower Elementary School, and the Doyle-Ryder Community Education Center.
“These playgrounds are more than new equipment, they are an investment in our scholars, our families, and the communities we serve,” said Superintendent Kevelin Jones. “We are sincerely grateful to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for this incredible investment in Flint Community Schools and our scholars. These new spaces will give children opportunities to play, learn, and grow while creating places our families and neighborhoods can be proud of.”
The community is invited to attend the following events:
Doyle-Ryder Community Education Center Playground Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Doyle-Ryder Community Education Center, Flint
Potter Elementary School Playground Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
1:30 p.m.
Potter Elementary School, 2500 N. Averill Ave., Flint
With the completion of the Doyle-Ryder and Potter playgrounds, three of the district’s five playground renovation projects are now complete. The renovations are part of the Mott Foundation’s broader commitment to improving and activating outdoor spaces for Flint children and families. Earlier this year, the Foundation committed up to $20 million to improve playgrounds and parks throughout Flint as part of its centennial celebration.
“It’s exciting to see two more playgrounds renovated and ready for Flint kids and families to enjoy,” said Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation. “We believe that, when kids and families have safe and innovative spaces to get outside and play, it improves quality of life and strengthens our neighborhoods. And it’s even better when the community has a voice in what those spaces look like. Flint kids deserve the very best, and these playgrounds help give them that.”
A key feature of these playgrounds is the extensive community engagement process that helped shape their design. Flint Community Schools partnered with the Flint Center for Educational Excellence to gather input from students, educators, families, and neighborhood residents through advisory committees, focus groups, and surveys.
Participants evaluated existing playgrounds and identified priorities for the new spaces, including swings, tunnels, forts, expanded climbing structures, improved accessibility, and enhanced safety features. Their feedback helped ensure each playground reflects the unique character and needs of its school community while supporting play, learning, and community connection.
“Parents, students, residents, and educators were not just participants in this process; they were the experts on what kids need for their schools and neighborhoods to thrive,” said Ja’Nel Jamerson, President and CEO of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence. “In the community co-design process led by our community school directors, community voices were not just an afterthought; they were the foundation for carefully imagined spaces that are grounded in shared vision and foster a sense of shared ownership.”
Beyond serving scholars during the school day, the renovated playgrounds are designed to function as valuable community assets where families and residents can gather, stay active, and build stronger neighborhood connections.
Flint Community Schools remains committed to providing safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments that promote academic success, physical wellness, and community pride.
“I think the whole park looks awesome!” said Adrianne Whitney, a 4th-grader at Potter Elementary School. “I really like the little kids' park, it is nice, pretty, and really fun. I also like the big kids' park because it is so cool, and my favorite part is the monkey bars. I even like the new ground, too!”
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For media inquiries, Kimberly Willis, District Communication Specialist, kwillis@flintschools.org
Press Release PDF link: https://aptg.co/KKP487