Y on the Fly
Removing barriers to play.
Only 13% of youth in Southeast Michigan are active one hour a day, and barely half of all children participate in sports even once a year. We know that active children go on to live happier, healthier and more successful lives. That’s why, at the Y, we are working to change that statistic and remove the barriers youth face to access sports and free play.
What is Y on the Fly?
Y on the Fly is a FREE youth sports program that provides sports sampling and structured free play to Metro Detroit communities without the typical barriers.
Y on the Fly’s Goal
The sandlot era is over, meaning kids making up games and playing with friends in the neighborhood is largely gone. Our goal is to help revive that kind of neighborhood fun and interaction. Every child—regardless of location, income, or ability—should have access to fun and fulfilling activities. To support this mission, we embrace the principles outlined in the Project Play Children’s Bill of Rights; which advocate for every child’s right to play and engage in healthy sports experiences.
We are proud to partner with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area as well as the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan on this powerful initiative.
Parents and Caregivers – Your Feedback is Important!
Share the impact Y on the Fly has in your child’s life by taking our Parent Survey.
Y on the Fly Sites
The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit offers Y on the Fly at locations across Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland County. Weather permitting, you can find Y staff at sites listed below.
Detroit – Brightmoor Y on the Fly Sites
- Rosedale Park Baptist Church
14179 Evergreen, Detroit, MI 48223 - Stoepel #1 Park
Outer Dr. W & Evergreen Rd, Detroit, MI - Rouge Park
21415 Plymouth Rd, Detroit, MI 48228 - Beech Elementary
19990 Beech Daly, Redford Township, MI 48240 - Hilbert Elementary
26440 Puritan, Redford Township, MI 48239 - St. Valentine
25875 Hope St, Redford Township, MI 48239
Detroit – North End Y on the Fly Sites
- Bradby Park
1641 Cardoni St, Detroit, MI 48211 - Central Detroit Christian
1550 Taylor St, Detroit, MI 48206 - Franklin Wright Settlements
7375 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202 - Cass Community Social Services
11745 Rosa Parks Blvd, Detroit, MI 48206
Highland Park Y on the Fly Sites
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan: Fauver-Martin Club
24 Ferris St, Highland Park, MI 48203
Wyandotte Y on the Fly Sites
- CATCH Field
15777 Northline Rd, Southgate, MI 48195
Ferndale Y on the Fly Sites
- Ferndale Upper Elementary
24220 Rosewood St, Oak Park, MI 48237 - Jefferson Oaks Park
22001 Republic Ave, Oak Park, MI 48237 - Ferndale Lower Elementary
2610 Pinecrest Dr, Ferndale, MI 48220 - Martin Road Park / Detroit Curling Club
1615 E. Lewiston Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220
Hazel Park Y on the Fly Sites
- United Oaks Elementary
1001 E. Harry Ave, Hazel Park, MI 48030 - Hoover Elementary
23720 Hoover Ave, Hazel Park, MI 48030 - Webb Elementary
2100 Woodward Heights, Ferndale, MI 48220 - Madison Elementary
27107 Hales St, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Pontiac Y on the Fly Sites
- United Wholesale Mortgage
585 S Blvd E, Pontiac, MI 48341
Hartland Y on the Fly Sites
- Hartland Child Care Center
10235 School, Hartland, MI 48353 - Hartland Lakes Elementary
687 Taylor Rd, Brighton, MI 48114
Mt. Clemens Y on the Fly Sites
- Wilson Park
S. Wilson Blvd & Church St, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 - Cairns Community Center
58 Orchard St, Mt Clemens, MI 48043 - Mt. Clemens High School
155 Cass Ave, Mt Clemens, MI 48043 - Parker Elementary
22055 Quinn Rd, Clinton Twp, MI 48035 - McGlinnen Elementary
21415 Sunnyview St, Clinton Twp, MI 48035
Bring Y on the Fly to Your Community
If you are interested in learning more about Y on the Fly and bringing the Y on the Fly team’s high quality youth sports programming to your community, please use this form to send us a message.
What is Project Play?
Project Play: Southeast Michigan is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program.
Y on the Fly, a collaborative of four YMCAs, is powered by Project Play. Including the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, Ann Arbor YMCA, Blue Water YMCA, and the Monroe Family YMCA, it serves seven counties across southeast Michigan: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, St. Clair, Monroe and Livingston.
Resources
- Learn more at projectplaysemi.org.
- Project Play Children’s Bill of Rights
- Read the Aspen Institute: State of Play Report to learn more about trends in youth sports and the State of Play in 2024.
- Through the Healthy People 2030 program, the federal government has set for the first time a national target for youth sports participation: 63% by the year 2030.
- To help reach the target, Project Play convenes leading organizations that have made multi-year commitments to measurably grow sport participation rates among youth. Learn more about Project Play’s commitment to achieving the first ever national goal for youth sports participation at 63×30.
Our Partners
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