Nestled in vibrant downtown Plymouth is a place the locals affectionately call “their park with a C”.
The PARC (or Plymouth Arts and Recreational Complex) hosts a wide range of activities for all ages, including Miracle Ballpark, an accessible baseball field where children and adults with disabilities can partake in America’s Pastime.
Though the people in the park will probably be too focused on their own fun to notice, three DTE teams recently spent the day making sure the ballpark and the surrounding area were ready for summer.
For the fifth year in a row, DTE’s Renewable Energy, Project Management Organization (PMO) and Energy Supply (ENS) teams partnered with Friends of the Rouge, an organization that promotes restoration and care of the Rouge River ecosystem, which includes land around the PARC.
Together, over 30 DTE volunteers spent the day pulling weeds, trimming plants, picking up trash, and laying mulch and gravel around the PARC complex.
The team cleared nearly 60 bags full of winter debris and revitalized 1,600 square feet of space.
“This annual volunteer event is open to anyone who wants to join us,” said Kevin Pfau, Renewable Energy team member and event organizer. “The more people come, the more we can get done, in less time.”
Friends of the Rouge appreciated DTE’s continued support, saying, “We are deeply grateful for your role in helping us advance our mission to restore, protect and enhance the Rouge River watershed through stewardship, education and collaboration.”
As spring turns to summer, the effort shown by these DTE teams will reveal itself in the healthy plants and well-maintained grounds of the PARC, including its Rain Garden: a unique area designed to prevent flooding and keep lawn chemicals out of the Rouge River.
Click here to learn more about Friends of the Rouge and visit DTE’s empoweringmichigan.com to stay up to date with all volunteering activities.
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.” – Greek proverb