Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison, city partners, and community members came together today to commemorate the successful culmination of a renovation project that transformed the 10-acre park into a verdant oasis for families and friends.
An exercise in community effort and collaboration, the park renovation came to fruition through the partnership of the City, Project EverGreen, the Gilbert Family Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan.
The park, nestled in the area of 7 Mile and Wyoming, now boasts a plethora of amenities designed for families and individuals alike. Renovations include a sprawling quarter-mile walking loop, two baseball fields, a brand-new playground, an abundance of newly-planted trees, and a host of site amenities including benches, picnic tables, trash bins, and a bike rack.
Crystal Perkins, Director of the General Services Department, City of Detroit, expressed her joy at the transformation. “Now this community and the children who visit the center can enjoy the playscape and other amenities,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of public spaces for the community, Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway echoed Perkins’ sentiments, noting that the project has inspired the community to invest more in their neighborhoods and public spaces.
Fundraising efforts, which commenced in 2019, raised more than $315,000 towards the renovation project. The City matched this sum with an additional $256,000, which was instrumental in bringing the project to completion.
Project EverGreen’s involvement in the renovation exemplified their commitment to creating healthy green spaces. Cindy Code, the Executive Director of Project EverGreen, emphasized the value of public spaces in promoting community health, social cohesion, and environmental wellness.
The Gilbert Family Foundation, in line with their commitment to creating vibrant and inclusive public spaces, also contributed significantly to the renovation project. JJ Velez, Director of Public Spaces for the Foundation, stressed the importance of such spaces in fostering community connections and enhancing residents’ well-being.
Healthy Kidz, a non-profit that operates Tindal Recreation Center, and whose constituents have been an integral part of Gmeiner Park’s community, played a significant role in the design concept and community engagement efforts. Maria Adams-Lawton, Executive CEO/Director of Healthy Kidz Inc., expressed delight at the transformation.
Through their shared effort and dedication, the City, Project EverGreen, the Gilbert Family Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, have given Detroit a renovated park that serves as a beacon of community pride and a testament to what can be achieved through unity, vision, and a love for one’s community.
“It’s exciting watching everything transform from the ideas of a group of teenagers from Healthy Kidz Inc. who has given a challenge in the Summer of 2019 to make Gmeiner Park into a place they would bring their future children and families,” said Adams-Lawton. “This park transformation has been a game changer for Healthy Kidz Inc. and 48221 neighborhoods. I love seeing families using the park.”
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