We are a crafty crew that refuses to let small budgets and bureaucracy stand in the way of a great playground. The Detroit Mower Gang kicks grass all over the abandoned parks of Detroit. We put horsepower to the ground and keep old playgrounds mowed so that Detroit's kids have a place to play. Who: The Detroit Mower Gang is a bunch of do-gooders that refuses to let parkland go to waste. Anyone is
welcome in the gang, most members are people that dislike seeing neighborhoods in decay and feel bad for kids that have no place to play. Members also seem to enjoy gasoline powered equipment, fixing it, running it, and mowing grass. If you own a lawn tractor, a w**d whacker, or anything like that, you will definitely enjoy being in the mower gang and we'd enjoy having you as a member. How Do I Join: The Detroit Mower Gang is open to anyone. All you have to do is show up to any of our events. If you can, bring some type of grass annihilation machine with you, if not, it's still cool thanks to Ryobi, we have tools to loan you. Why: Because park cleanups are much easier when you have 20 horsepower at your disposal and lawn tractors are cool and fun, Because people need us, Because no one else is going to get the job done. And because we like to use the word because repeatedly. You will enjoy joining the Mower Gang if you want to feel the wind in your hair, you like the feeling of a job well done, you enjoy the sound of internal combustion in your ears and the smell of fresh cut grass up your nose. You would enjoy the Mower Gang if you keep seeing riding lawnmowers at yard sales, and you want one, but you live on a small lot. What Projects Do The Mower Gang Complete: We mow parks and playgrounds. There are 91 of them in the city of Detroit. Among the 91, we choose parks that have playground equipment in them, need help, and are near neighborhoods that have strong populations of kids. What we do NOT do: We do not help people who are able to help themselves. (see the Q and A below)
Q: I've got an abandoned lot near my house I need mowed? A: Sorry, you've got to handle that one yourself. Q: But... Um, I'm different because ______________. A: If you can prove to us that you are less able to mow that lot than a three year old is able to mow the playground near his house, we'll do it. Keep in mind that three year olds don't have money and can't use the phone. Q: But ___________ needs the lot mowed for _____________! Q: My ___________ league needs their field mowed for ________. A: Seriously, stop asking these questions. We mow playgrounds that are used by little kids all of the time. There are enough of them that we can't get to them all, so you are probably going to have to take some initiative. Q: The softball field or horseshoe pits, or tennis courts or basketball courts at ____________ need attention, can you mow them? A: Seriously, those are adult activities. We suggest you get the adults who use them to mow it. Q: Why aren't the parks being mowed? A: Mowing parks takes tax money and since Detroit has gone from a population of 2.1 Million middle-class residents to 800,000 not-so-middle class residents, there isn't enough money. The city no longer budgets for park mowing in some neighborhoods. It stinks, but it is the reality here. We are trying our best. Q: Do we take donations? We can take any gift you want to give, but we can't offer you a tax deduction. We just aren't willing to do the hours of paperwork to do that stuff. That's too much like a desk job, which is exactly what we are all escaping when we join the Mower Gang. Q: I run a company that would like to donate some stuff you can use, where do I send it? A: We love this stuff. In the past we have shamelessly plugged power tools, neti pots, manly clothing, and lawn care equipment. Send it to:
The Mower Gang
c/o PriveCo / Tom Nardone
352 Oliver Dr.
Troy MI 48084
You can send anything you want. Gang members love getting rewards for their hard work. We'll post photos of your donation being awarded to hardworking Mower Gang volunteers. Thanks! Q: Can I donate my old mower? A: We would love any used lawn tractors or heavy duty equipment you've got. We can only consider something that runs well or is close to running well. There is lots of very tall grass to cut. Q: What does the Mower Gang need more than anything else? A: We need more members with lawn tractors! Tell your friends to tell their friends to tell their father-in-laws to come out. Q: Are any of your members single? A: Stuntman Mike is a great guy, and he is perpetually single. Come on out and meet him. Bring him a beer and if you are a lady he'll probably make out with you. Q: How many people attend Mower Gang events? A: Anywhere from 1 to 45, but typically we get 4-8 lawn tractors plus about 6-12 volunteers with everything from w**d whips to trash bags. Q: You've been on the news and in the paper, on TV, how did such a small group get so famous? We are fun, we do a lot of work, and we don't ask for anything. Q; Does it cost a lot to be in the Mower Gang? No, it is free. Even the most hard core members have probably only spent about $600 on Craigslist. You can get a used lawn tractor for $300 or you can spend more, but we're pretty frugal. You might burn 2 gallons of gas in an evening of mowing. Q: Are mower gang members friendly? Show up with a lawn tractor and you will have 5 new friends within an hour. We like to talk about cars, motorcycles, and stuff like that. Not surprisingly, most mower gang members ride motorcycles. Q: Are mower gang members old or young, white or black, Detroiters or suburbanites? We are all of those things. Q; Is it safe to mow abandoned parks in Detroit? A: Mowing with us is about as safe as it gets. Why? Because this group packs more heat than the center of the sun. If I had a choice of whether to mess with a Mower Gang event or rob a gun shop, I'd have to think about it for a while. Q: How do I get a mower gang T-Shirt, I see a lot of them in the pictures? After working on your second event you are given a shirt (we call this earning your colors). Q: Do you guys drink beer when you're finished mowing? You brining any?
