DETROIT – As neighborhood beautification continues to be a priority for her new Administration, Mayor Sheffield recently announced that 11 neighborhood city parks are receiving improvements or currently under construction in the second half of 2026. Each project features a variety of upgrades shaped by community engagement meetings with block clubs, neighborhood associations, schools, businesses and organizations that use the park.
“Strong, vibrant neighborhoods are ones that have convenient access to high-quality parks,” said Mayor Sheffield. “As my administration continues to focus on neighborhood-level investment, improving our network of neighborhood parks is going to be an important part of this work, to improve the quality of life for longtime Detroiters.”
The total investment for improvements to these 11 parks is $19.85 million, which comes from a variety of funding sources, including City funds, state and federal grants, the Strategic Neighborhood Fund (a public-private partnership between the City of Detroit and Invest Detroit), and philanthropy, most notably the Gilbert Family Foundation.
“Quality parks are a key part of building strong neighborhoods, and green space has been core to our neighborhood reinvestment strategy from day one,” said Jermaine Ruffin, senior vice president of neighborhoods, Invest Detroit. “SNF and partners like the Dauch Corporation, Fifth Third Bank, and Huntington Bank have committed over $41 million to upgrade twelve parks across the city, giving residents better places to gather, play and get outside close to home. We’re excited for residents to see these upgrades unveiled in the months ahead.”
City of Detroit’s park improvement projects are led by the General Services Department’s Public Space Planning and Landscape Design units. Park planners use the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan (PRSP), an equity framework that provides the vision for Parks and Recreation for 2023-2033 adopted by city council in November 2022, as a guide on which parks to prioritize. The PRSP was shaped by extensive outreach, including 700 survey responses, 27 focus groups.
For this year’s Adopt-A-Park season, April 1st to November 1st, the program, which enrolls community groups, organizations or churches as park stewards, reached a total of 90 park organizational sign-ons, a record number to-date.
“Our park planners and designers are passionate about Detroiters having quality outdoor recreation in their own backyard,” said Crystal Perkins, City of Detroit General Services Director. “This is why the Adopt-A-Park stewardship program is so important, it allows for resident to organize and engage in programs at their parks.”
The City of Detroit has more than 300 parks, and partners with Detroit Parks Coalition for the Adopt-A-Park stewardship program. Adopt-A-Park stewards receive critical resources such as supplies for park clean ups and events, organizational training, grant opportunities and special sponsorships.
“This year’s record Adopt a Park participation, representing every district, is a reflection of Detroiters’ commitment to their neighborhoods and communities. Whether they are one acre or one thousand, parks are our common ground—places where we can recognize our similarities over our differences, experience nature, and celebrate life together,” said Sigal Hemy Spiegel, Detroit Parks Coalition Executive Director Detroit Parks Coalition is proud to partner with the city in supporting the Adopt a Park stewards working to make Detroit’s incredible park system more vibrant and more connected for years to come.”
Two parks with active improvement projects in Detroit’s District 6 during the second half of 2026 are:
- Patton Park is set to begin the bidding process, with construction Spring 2027 – This project will build the Joe Louis Greenway route through the park, including connections from adjacent neighborhoods. The budget for this project is $2.3 million and funded by a combination of a federal ORLP (Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program) grant and State Trust Fund grant.
- Cass Park is moving to council for approval with construction expected to start fall 2026 – The renovation of this historic park will include improved walkways, and a new plaza connecting the high school with a “chill zone” and budget of $2.5 million.
