Each Challenge Detroit fellow is responsible for completing four hours of community service in the city every month. Multiply that by the 31 fellows in the program and we will have committed 1,500 service hours to this city by the end of the fellowship (not including special service projects on Challenge Fridays, any additional hours that fellows take on, and the service events we take part in as a group).

Our second service event as a cohort took place just a few weeks ago at Clark Park in Southwest Detroit. For those who don’t know Clark Park, it serves as a hub for one of the most dynamic and diverse areas in the city limits. But in addition to its “community meeting place” status, it also offers year-long programming for hundreds of youth in the area including tutoring, a chess club, learn-to-skate hockey, open skate, photo-journalism, baseball, soccer, arts and crafts, and so much more.

But, as they say, “the people make the place,” and Clark Park is no different. Clark Park used to be run by the city until it ran out of money in 1991. Instead of letting the park become a wasteland as many parks did, the residents of Southwest Detroit banded together and took control. As a group, they started a non-profit organization called the Clark Park Coalition. Many of the people who helped save the park in ’91 can still be found around the office helping out, chatting with others, sitting in on board meetings, or attending any one of the multitude of events offered. These are some of the most down-to-earth, genuine people in the city and Detroit is lucky to have them.

A look at the Winter Carnival from above as the day of ice skating wrapped up. Photos taken by fellow Nadir Ali (3andathird.com).

As a group of Challenge Detroiters, we were lucky to have the opportunity to volunteer with them at one of the park’s latest events, the Clark Park Winter Carnival. The fellows arrived at the park between 11am – 12pm to get their job assignments, take a look around the park, and get some lunch. When 12 o’clock came around things were a bit slow, but by 12:30 – 12:45 pm, the crowds were showing up in droves!

Outside at the games center, kids were experimenting with the football tire toss, cornhole, giant Jenga and a makeshift Slip-N-Slide. Others were sitting by the bonfires roasting marshmallows and enjoying a warmer winter day.

Across the parking lot, dozens of families were lined up around a fence to feed Wilma the Camel and Dali the Llama at the petting zoo. In between petting the different animals people waved back to those on the carriage rides touring around the perimeter of the park.

A look at the Winter Carnival from above as the day of ice skating wrapped up. Photos taken by fellow Nadir Ali (3andathird.com).

Behind the park office is Detroit’s only regulation-size outdoor ice rink. The rink was full of skaters and the lines to get into the main office building were sticking out the door, which meant the face-painting and skate rooms were probably a complete madhouse.

Upon further investigation, those suspicions were confirmed. In the four hours of the carnival, fellows registered carnival-goers, tied ice skates, checked out & returned skates, painted faces, sold Clark Park apparel, tended to bonfires, passed out food and drinks, coached kids through the games and helped them feed animals.

In the end, we were able to help roughly 2,000 people enjoy another great winter day in Detroit!