Newly refinished court in Durant Park features mural design celebrating
joy, love, peace and power
FLINT, Mich. – July 22, 2023 – The FlintNOW Foundation, created by Detroit Pistons owner and Flint native Tom Gores, joined the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission and Flint native Jamiersen Green to unveil a freshly refurbished basketball court and mural on Saturday in William Durant Park on the city’s north side.
The court marks the third park the group refurbished in the city of Flint. Windiate Park was completed last summer and resurfacing at Riverside West Park was completed earlier this week. Funding for the three park projects is provided in part by a $10,000 grant from the FlintNOW Foundation.
“The best solutions always start on the ground, with neighbors joining hands and rolling up their sleeves to bring their vision and creativity to life,” said Gores. “I’m proud we could help bring this group together again to be impactful in another Flint neighborhood. Kids and families on the north side deserve more safe and inspiring places to play.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by representatives from all the organizations involved in the parks project: FlintNOW, Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission (GCPRC), Leader Quality (a multidimensional creative agency founded by Green), and the Detroit Pistons, including Flint Beecher standout point guard Monte Morris, who joined the team this summer.
“Our vision is to create equitable parks and open spaces in Flint and Genesee County. Change takes people who care about their community and work to make those spaces beautiful and usable.,” said Nancy Edwards, Recreation Programs and Grants Officer and Director of Keep Genesee County Beautiful for the Genesee County Parks. “We are grateful to Tom Gores, FlintNOW, Jamiersen Green and all the neighbors, friends, family, and partners that have come together to transform another neighborhood park.”
The idea for the parks program originated with Green, an artist and Flint native who had previously worked with the Pistons organization and approached the FlintNOW Foundation about working together on the courts project.
The court mural unveiled Saturday in Durant Park was designed by Green with input from community stakeholders.
“The artwork on this year’s court is an extension of our design at Windiate Park featuring arms of the community reaching out for a common goal,” said Green. “The arms of the community encompassing a heart-shaped basketball symbolizing the restoration of joy, love, peace and power to the Northside, and Flint as a whole.”
The FlintNOW Foundation (www.FlintNOW.org) was created by Tom Gores to provide private sector support for immediate relief efforts during the water crisis in Flint, Mich., and for long-term programs focused on economic development, nutrition and health care for residents of the city. FlintNOW partnerships include a $2 million pledge from Tom Gores and Consumers Energy to start the Flint Promise scholarship program, a $25 million economic development program launched with Huntington Bank, a healthy foods initiative with created with the National Basketball Players Association and Michigan State University-Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, and numerous campaigns that have provided millions of dollars in support to local Flint charitable organizations.
About Genesee County Parks & Recreation Commission
The Genesee County Parks & Recreation Commission (GCPRC) owns and operates more than 11,000 acres of parkland, making it the largest county park system in the state of Michigan. Genesee County Parks is dedicated to quality recreational opportunities for everyone and preservation of natural resources. Our vision is that Parks Bring People Together and we accomplish that through Vision, Consistency, Customer Services, Integrity, Stewardship, and Teamwork. We serve all residents of Genesee County and visitors to our area. Keep Genesee County Beautiful (KGCB) became a program of the Genesee County Parks in 2016. KGCB was created in 2004 with the mission to encourage, educate, and engage the community in ongoing cleanup and beautification of Genesee County. KGCB’s vision is beautiful, clean, and sustainable neighborhoods, parks and open spaces in Flint and Genesee County achieved through Individual Responsibility, Volunteer Action, and Partnerships. More information is available here https://geneseecountyparks.org/ and here https://geneseecountyparks.org/kgcb/.
About Jamiersen Green
With over 10 years in the Culture & Creative industry Jamiersen has ideated, designed, directed, managed and executed major events & plans for mainstay brands and companies throughout the street culture Industry. Through his experience he has obtained insight into the direction of culture, connections to various influencers and brands. Coupled with the knowledge on how to navigate and build sustainability, growth, and excitement through authentic marketing and experiences. Jamiersen’s mission is to bring a new age of marketing and influence to the industry through serving brands and building generational influence. He commands excellence out of himself, and lives by the code “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.”
