When the city decided to transform Roosevelt Park, it seemed like an extremely challenging task – removing roads that divided the park and carrying out extensive landscaping repairs.
However, today the park, which also serves as the yard of Michigan Central Station, connects the Hubbard-Richard and Corktown neighborhoods and is a convenient place for walks both for residents of southwest Detroit and for train station employees.
What changes have taken place in the park?
The 13-acre park, allocated $5 million from the American Rescue Act and an additional $1 million from the city of Detroit, connects Michigan Avenue with the station and features numerous pedestrian pathways.
The park includes open spaces, lawns for events, benches and tables, swings, and green plantings.
How do residents feel about the park's redevelopment?
56-year-old Cynthia Gilmore from Detroit visited the park for the first time last week. She liked the public space and remembers when it was in a neglected state.
"It’s very nice here now. I really like it. I remember when there was nothing here, and nobody even came here. It's a wonderful place," Gilmore said.
16-year-old Brooklyn Hopskin from Detroit enjoys photography. The park allows her to explore plants and take landscape photos.
"I like it because I love nature. It’s very beautiful here," Hopskin says. "I love photographing flowers, and they are very photogenic here."
In 2021, the city of Detroit engaged residents of southwest Detroit all year long in community activities to determine what they want to see in this place.
The city government held meetings with residents and community groups throughout the planning and design process. Residents wanted a single unified park space, and they got it.
"One of the biggest driving forces behind our city’s revival is what we've done to create new and better parks and green spaces in our neighborhoods," said Mayor Mike Duggan in a statement. "This Roosevelt Park transformation will be yet another major benefit for residents and visitors in this southwestern Detroit district."
The park reconstruction includes:
1. Planting 9,498 plants, including 4,000 hydrangeas that decorate the entrance to Michigan Central Station. The park also has 119 trees and 71,641 seedlings have been planted. The project aims to maintain the park in good condition year-round and ensure its impressive appearance every spring.
2. Creating lawns for events and public gatherings, installing tables, and running electrical connections. The plaza in front of Michigan Central Station preserves the original concept of the park: creating an open green space for events held at Michigan Central Station.
3. Bioretention basins for stormwater runoff and underground storage to remove toxins and sediment from stormwater, and to hold back excess flow during heavy rains and precipitation. The new stormwater infrastructure in the park will prevent flooding and protect the integrity of surface drainage systems.
