The Journey Begins - GCP Adopts Rees Park in 2019
Under the Love Your Bl0ck Grant Program - GCP adopts the abandoned park with the purpose of restoring the facility for community use.
GCP - Creates Change Through Community Engagement
Under the skilled direction of board director Ben Penick, GCP disassembles a dangerous and nonfunctional playground with the intent of repurposing it to create DIY park benches in the basketball court. This was a major win because kids would turn over the existing trash cans and use them for seats.
GCP - We Are All in the Journey Together
With the support of our sponsors The Legacy Foundation and The Field Museum, and collaboration with community partners Shirley Heinze Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, GCP Youth Empowerment Team, and community members, GCP transformed a section of the park into a native flower habitat.
GCP - Nothing Is Impossible When You Have a Plan, With A Clear Path Forward: GCP Partners with Gary RailCats to Complete Playground Installation
Under the skilled direction of board director Ben Penick, GCP disassembled, transported, and reassembled a newer playground from the shuttered Aetna School. With the support of the Gary RailCats, GCP completed the final touches of the playground installation during the Covid19 shutdown!
Through the years, GCP maintained the park through its Youth Empowerment Program, investing more than $10,000.00 in nonprofit funding to revitalize the facility. In 2025 the park was reclaimed by the city in a dedication ceremony. With humility and grace, GCP completed its task of revitalization, and we are forever grateful for our community sponsors and partners who enabled us to take on and complete this task:
The Legacy Foundation
The Field Museum
The Shirley Heinze Land Trust
The Nature Conservancy
The City of Gary Green Urbanism
GCP Youth Empowerment Team
and last but not least, the community volunteers who assisted in making this activity worthwhile. Without the support of our community we could not have achieved our goal.
The Legacy Foundation
The Field Museum
The Shirley Heinze Land Trust
The Nature Conservancy
The City of Gary Green Urbanism
GCP Youth Empowerment Team
and last but not least, the community volunteers who assisted in making this activity worthwhile. Without the support of our community we could not have achieved our goal.