Palmer Woods is alive with events and programs to improve our community. Join a committee or help to set up a new one! Committee members are involved in a myriad of activities:
- Organizing family gatherings, concerts, cultural and educational activities, and historic home tours
- Planting flowers to beautify the islands
- Serving as watchdogs to protect vacant homes
- Working to attract new homeowners to Palmer Woods
- Advocating for tax reforms, city services and safety improvements
- Children’s Committee
- Communication Committee
- Estate & Garage Sale Committee
- Holiday Home Tour Committee
- Music in Homes Committee
- Preservation & Gardening Committee
- Tax Reform Committee
- Vacant Homes Committee
Contact committee chairs for more information or email
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to help start a new committee.
Click here for the Volunteer Sign-up Form
CHILDREN'S COMMITTEE
Brian Johnson, 313-598-6198
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Joe Rogowski, 248-302-7051
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The Children’s Committee organizes special events for children and families, such as the annual block picnic. Held at Lincolnshire Park, the Palmer Woods annual summer block picnic is a family afternoon of games, socializing and potluck/barbeque feasting. This is a wonderful gathering to meet new neighbors and reconnect with old ones. Special activities have included a childrens petting zoo and pony rides, face painting, arts and crafts, sports, games, and a visits from the Detroit Fire Department and state legislators.
This event is part of the annual citywide ARISE!Detroit’s Neighborhood Day. Palmer Woods neighbor Luther Keith, founder and executive director of ARISE!Detroit, describes the event: “The goal is to reconnect city residents with each other, learn about community programs and re-embrace the neighborly spirit that many of us grew up with years ago…it is held simultaneously in neighborhoods all over the city on the same day.”
Barbara Barefield (webmaster & editor of Post)
313-891-2514
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Deborah Copeland
313.369.1327
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Jeff Hines
313-207-5917
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The Communications Committee works on the Palmer Woods Website, Palmer Woods E-News (periodic emails to neighbors with news, alerts and information of interest) and the Palmer Woods Post (our quarterly newsletter).
Turning clutter into treasure, the Palmer Woods Estate & Garage Sale was first held the summer of 2008. The exciting event attracted many visitors to our community. A fundraiser for Palmer Woods, neighbors donate or sell items at the big sale at Lincolnshire Park or hold their own at their homes, yards and garages.
Dale Morgan, 248-723-4200
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Since 1989, the Palmer Woods Holiday Home Tour has showcased many of the neighborhoods most magnificent homes. Held the first Sunday in December, more than 1,200 visitors bundle up and line up to view and learn about our most elegant and unique homes. Dressed for the holidays, the homes are filled with ideas for decorating, renovating and preserving the architectural gems exemplified by our neighborhood. Each visitor receives a home tour book packed with photos, as well as history and architectural insights. Click here to read about the homes on the 2008 Tour. Click here to read about the December 2008 tour.
Spencer & Barbara Barefield
313-891-2514
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Palmer Woods Music in Homes showcases the best of Detroit’s jazz, classical and world-music artists in the glory of Palmer Woods mansions. Homes for these intimate concerts are designed by internationally-acclaimed architects such as C. Howard Crane (who also designed Orchestra Hall, the Detroit Opera Theatre and Fox Theatre), Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Marr, Wallace Frost and Robert Sarota. The Palmer Woods Dinner Dance, also part of the series, is held in the historic Albert Kahn designed Detroit Golf Club. The roster of musicians has included Detroit-based stars, such as Charlie Gabriel, Shahida Nurullah, Donald Mayberry, A. Spencer Barefield, Marion Hayden, Peter Psarianos, Taslimah Bey, Jannina Barefield, and many others. Click here to read about the musicians on the 2008-2009 series. Click here to read about the 2008-2009 series.
Barbara Barefield, Editor & Graphic Designer
313-891-2514
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Published by the Palmer Woods Association, the quarterly newsletter about Palmer Woods covers neighborhood and city-wide activities, news and issues, as well as profiles on neighbors young and old. Writers and photographers are welcome to volunteer. To submit an article, news idea, or photo, click here. Click here to view past issues.
Nancy Galster, 313-891-1090
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Whether you have a green thumb, or enjoy digging in to beautify our natural surroundings in Palmer Woods, the Preservation & Gardens Committee needs you. Activities include planting trees, bulbs and flowers, maintaining and enhancing the islands and other common areas, and working with the Greening of Detroit and City of Detroit. Members also get together to share gardening ideas, swap plants, and enjoy each others' gardens.
Jeff Hines, 313-207-5917
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Palmer Woods Board members and neighbors have worked with state legislators and city officials to revise tax laws to make living in Palmer Woods more affordable. This committee continues to explore more options to lower property taxes and change the methods of accessing values of properties in Detroit. Click here to join this committee.
Rob Dewaelsche, 313-580-0672
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Rochelle Lento, 313-891-5662
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The Vacant Homes & Properties Committee is a group of concerned neighbors who serve as “watchdogs” and investigators of vacant properties in Palmer Woods. The Committee seeks to identify and monitor vacant homes in our subdivision, and advocates for these properties to remain in a safe and secure condition, thereby promoting a favorable sales environment and maintaining property values for all Palmer Woods homeowners.
The Committee focuses on properties which have become vacant due to the increase in foreclosures and/or mortgage fraud — as well as other vacant homes and lots deemed to be vulnerable to vandalism, crime and neglect. The Committee will not monitor vacant homes for sale by a current homeowner, or those being marketed by a realtor on behalf of a former homeowner.
Most at-risk vacant homes have a Palmer Woods resident/committee member who serves as a guardian to help divert vandalism and urge absentee owners to keep the property clean and available for sale. The Committee works with the Palmer Woods Association to mow neglected lawns, and clean and secure properties when necessary to make the neighborhood more appealing for potential buyers. To report a home you are concerned about or to join the committee, contact Rob or Rochelle.
