MassDevelopment

Danvers Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Nature Center at Endicott Park

$10,000 goal to win matching grant through MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places Initiative


August 3, 2016


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Kelsey Abbruzzese, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2086 & 617-448-9077 (cell)
kabbruzzese@massdevelopment.com

Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com

Chris Sanborn, Town of Danvers, 978-777-0001 Ext 3009
csanborn@mail.danvers-ma.org

MassDevelopment and the Friends of Endicott Park today announced a new campaign through the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity and the Commonwealth Places initiative. The campaign will support the organization's efforts to finish construction on a nature and environmental education center in the visitor’s center at Endicott Park. The Friends of Endicott Park will build the education center in an existing woodshed structure already on the property, and the center will showcase displays that explore the community’s relationship with nature through exhibits and interactive experiences. Designed for visitors of all ages, the family-friendly center will feature changing exhibitions, hands-on displays, and a workspace for arts and crafts.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $10,000 by September 16, 2016, at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program.

“We look forward to seeing the community support for Danvers’ environmental education center, which will help visitors of all ages learn more about the natural world,” said MassDevelopment Vice President of Real Estate and Municipal Services Amanda Maher. “Commonwealth Places helps support projects that leverage resources by inspiring individuals to invest in their communities, and MassDevelopment is pleased to work with Patronicity on this creative and innovative program.”

The project will help visitors understand and care about environmental stewardship; nurture a sense of wonder, imagination and creativity; provide a sense of beauty, calm, peace and refuge in an often stressful, fast-paced world; expand their intellectual development; and enhance their physical development and overall health and well-being.
  
“Endicott Park’s educational programming is in high demand, a great thing for our community, and we would like to grow a greater diversity of programming,” said Christine Dean, Ranger Supervisor at Endicott Park. “This new nature and environmental center would fill that need for children and their families in Danvers.”

Commonwealth Places is a partnership between MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. Communities, nonprofits and other entities can learn more and apply at www.massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2015, MassDevelopment financed or managed 294 projects generating investment of more than $2.5 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 6,100 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 2,000 residential units.