IART Festival

As celebration of the arts, the IART Festival is unique in its focus on participation in the arts.

• Attendees of the festival are able to take mini-workshops in writing poetry, acting, playing music, painting and drawing. At the Festival, they have the opportunity to construct musical instruments, paint, sculpt and observe artists in action.
• Kids can enjoy Kidland where they can make music and an art project, or relax on the Story Porch where they can read books, listen to storytellers and make their own books.
• The Marquee Stage features performances from local theater companies, musicians and poets. Inside the Marquee, we feature a digital media screening area, where independent film makers can showcase their latest projects. There is also an eating area that features a great selection of foods and beverages, along with tables from Youth artists and information from local arts and recreational organizations.
• The Main Stage always spotlights an ecclectic mix of family friendly entertainment with everything from bands to martial arts demontrations to belly dancers and fire eaters!
• For the first time, the 2011 IART Festival will also include an Art Cafe. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to create art of their own, or simply relax a bit before going back for more fun.

Claude Allison Park Improvement

Playing in parks brings out the dreams and imagination of every child.

• They climb high and imagine they are the king or queen of the castle.
• They challenge themselves to try new things strengthening both their bodies and their minds.
• Unfortunately, not all parks are designed to be accessible for all children. When a parent or grandparent has a disability, she or he can not play with their child at the park and sometimes can not take their child to the park.

The Redford Parks and Arts Conservancy would like to build a fully-accessible playground in at Claude Allison park so that every child can dream and grow and so that every parent or grandparent can be with their children as this happens.

• An accessible park matters not just for children and their families but for people throughout the community.
• An accessible park is necessary so that all children and adults can come together to play and excerise regardless of their ability.
• The park helps all people play together and gain intellectual, physical and social development.
• We learn to respect one another and accept one other as human beings no matter abilities or difference.

The first parks improvement project that the Parks and Art Conservancy chose was an upgrade at Claude Allison Park. One of the two large township parks, Claude Allison is located on Beech Daly between Six and Seven Mile roads. The park suffers from a lack of full accessibility and signature attractions that really bring a large park like this one to life. In recent years there have been concerns about accessibility, safety and in making sure there were great parks throughout the Township.

Work to improve the park began in 2008 when Redford Township and volunteers from the Little League organizations built new dugouts at all the ball fields. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan for 2008-2012 identified various goals for improving accessibility.