Case Study: Northeast Detroit Residents revitalize neighborhood parks with The Work Department

Northeast Detroit Residents boost community revitalization with The Work Department and $500,000 in Create NED funding

The Work Department partnered with Create NED, a community revitalization project for Northeast Detroit residents, to address the challenge of revitalizing under-resourced public spaces and sharing the neighborhood's story. The project needed a cohesive brand and communication tools developed through a truly community-centered process.

The solution involved a participatory design process where The Work Department convened residents and organizers for visioning and branding workshops. This collaboration produced a full brand identity, a communication toolkit including wayfinding and social media assets, a redesigned community newspaper, and website pages. The results enabled the neighborhood to enliven its public spaces, better share its narrative, and access more resources, with ArtPlace America investing $500,000 in the overall Create NED initiative.