Some 12,600 residents are within a half-mile walking distance of the five parks featured in the pilot programme, which aims to expand internet accessibility.
The City of Detroit has completed the roll-out of its wifi in the park pilot project, which aims to expand internet accessibility and bridge the digital divide.
Detroit residents and park visitors can now access free public wifi at Bradby, Chandler, Clark, McDuffy and Palmer Parks. About 12,600 residents are within a half-mile walking distance of the five parks featured in the pilot programme.
Digital inclusion project
The pilot project is a partnership between City of Detroit, Detroit Parks Coalition and Connect 313, which brings together organisations to create a national model for digital inclusion.
“This project gets us one step closer to ensuring that everyone can access wifi while contributing to the overall vibrancy and connectivity of our neighbourhoods,” said Crystal Perkins, director of City of Detroit General Services. “The internet is now essential in our day-to-day lives so having free access to it in our parks plays a crucial role in enhancing community life.”
The project has been made possible with $265,000 in grants from the Detroit Pistons Foundation, Rocket Community Fund and Knight Foundation. Funding includes installation and internet service through provider Cronus Internet as well as the installation of solar-powered charging stations for devices.
“Access to the internet is a fundamental resource, and by bringing free wifi to these five parks, we’re not just creating spaces where everyone in Detroit can connect, learn, and thrive, but also making strides toward greater digital equity,” said Sigal Hemy, executive director of Detroit Parks Coalition. “This initiative reflects our commitment to making our parks multi-use, accessible and valuable resources for all residents.”
City of Detroit said the project serves as an perfect example of the strategic collaboration driving its digital inclusion ecosystem, which has grown stronger and more cohesive since Connect 313 first launched at the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic PGA Tour event as a citywide data-driven digital inclusion strategy.
“We are excited to continue our work with the Detroit Parks Coalition and Connect 313 by assisting with the funding of the city’s wifi pilot programme to help expand internet accessibility and close the technology gap in Detroit,” said Megan Churches, executive director of the Detroit Pistons Foundation.
“Through the Pistons’ Basketball for All programme, our team has made a concerted effort to impact the city’s parks by renovating 60 basketball courts, including playing surfaces at Bradby, Chandler, Clark and Palmer Parks. We view the park wifi programme as an extension of our court renovation project and an opportunity to continue to make an impact on the city’s parks.”
Construction started in summer 2023. It finished at Chandler Park (wetlands area) in June 2024, September 2023 in Palmer Park (community house/basketball court area and tennis courts/pavilion/log cabin area), August 2023 in Bradby and McDuffy Parks, and July 2023 in Clark Park.
Connect 313 and Detroit Parks Coalition did a study looking at internet accessibility and usage in the parks from January 2023 to June 2024. Results revealed that 25,234 people had used the wifi networks, and that number is expected to have increased once the installation at Chandler Park was completed.
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Quelle/Source: Smart Cities World, 23.08.2024
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