Palmer Park

Shelter at Palmer Park

Palmer Park is one of thirteen Regional Parks in the City of Detroit parks system. One of the largest parks in Detroit, located at 910 Merrill Plaissance in District 2, with 281-acres of woodlands, meadows, recreational areas and athletic fields. Over the past 4 years the city of Detroit together with various foundation and community partners, have invested in major improvements including; new full-sized and junior tennis courts, walkways, a playground, fitness zone, pavilion and plaza area, and park lighting.

 

PARK CONTACT INFORMATION:

Shamori Whitt, Senior Parks Planner

Farhat Chaudhry, Landscape Designer

LINKS:

Reserve Shelter or Field

Park Maintenance, Trash Pick Up and Other Issues 

Report a Different Problem

People for Palmer Park

 

HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT 2023-2024 Updates

 

LAKE FRANCIS CONSTRUCTION WALK, NOVEMBER 15TH 2023

A friendly reminder to take part in the Palmer Park, Lake Francis Construction Area Walk, on Wednesday, November 15th from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Members of the Habitat Restoration Project Team will be leading a tour of the Construction Area at Lake Francis, offering you a firsthand look at the project in action.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the restoration efforts and witness the progress being made at Palmer Park.

 

PP Construction

 

Details:

- Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023

- Time: 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM

- Meeting Point: Lake Francis Picnic Shelter

- Meeting Time: Please arrive at 3:15 PM

 

Construction Handout:

 

We look forward to sharing this experience with you and answering any questions you may have. 

If you have any questions or need further information before the event, please reach out to Parks Planner, Liz Rooney Gomez at [email protected].

 

PAST EVENTS: 

Join us at the "Ascension" Unveiling Ceremony Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 3pm

"Ascension" by Barry Lehr was installed in Palmer Park in 1977.  Twenty years later, it was repainted from its original "Corvette Yellow" to blue and purple.  In the early 2000's, it was removed from the park for further restoration and has been in storage ever since.  Join us as we unveil "Ascension" on Wednesday, May 31st at 3pm at Palmer Park and reveal it's new hue.  The sculpture will be located just off the Lake Frances parking lot (see the map below).  

Invitation to Ascension Unveiling Ceremony

 

Take Part in touring the Habitat Restoration Construction Area with the Project Team!

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 from 4:00p to 5:30p, members of the Habitat Restoration Project Team will be walking the Construction Area with the community.  This is a great opportunity to learn more and see the project in action. If you would like to participate, meet at the Lake Frances Shelter at 4:00pm.  For more information, email Kate Gmyrek.

Flyer inviting community to construction walk on May 17th

 

Habitat Restoration Project Community Update Meeting

On April 25, 2023, the City hosted a Community Update on the Habitat Restoration Project via Zoom.  

To watch the Zoom Recording, click on the thumbnail below

Flyer for April 25th meeting
Zoom Recording of April 25th meeting

 

To view the PowerPoint presentation, click on the thumbnail below.

Cover of PPT
PPT for April 25th meeting

 

 

 

City of Detroit Palmer Park Improvement Projects, Spring 2023

Updates on the Palmer Park Habitat Restoration Project
Information on ongoing Palmer Park Projects
Palmer Park Web Update Pt 2

 

 

Palmer Park Improvement Projects, 2022

The City of Detroit has a lot planned for Palmer Park in the next year.  There are currently four active projects in the park: Habitat Restoration Project, Bandshell, Dog Park & Bathroom Addition.  Scroll down to learn more about each one

 

DOG PARK

Option 1 (7 Mile Rd/near future Bandshell) is the winner for the new Dog Park location!

Click here to see the results of the survey.

 

Description of the Palmer Park Dog Park project
Timeline for Palmer Park Dog Park Project

Habitat Restoration Project Summary

Palmer Park Habitat Restoration Project Summary

 

Timeline for Palmer Park Habitat Restoration Project

Bandshell

 

Palmer Park Bandshell Summary

 

Timeline for Palmer Park Bandshell Relocation Project

Bathroom Addition

Palmer Park Bathroom Summary

Project Timeline- Open by Memorial Day 2023!

 

 

Take the Palmer Park Survey

PARK PARTNERS

DEN – Detroit Exploration and Nature Center

The “Den” is the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Division’s, Nature-based Programming hub located at Palmer Park. The Den houses the Detroit Outdoors Offices, Scout Hollow Camping Gear Library, and a new Wayne State Laboratory with Dr. Jeffrey Ram. This summer the DEN will be a site for DPRD Summer Day Camp.

People for Palmer Park (PFPP)

People for Palmer Park (PFPP) is a non-profit, community-based organization committed to the preservation and revitalization of Palmer Park, a Detroit park for the good of all.

As the official Palmer Park "Adopt-a-Park" partner with the City of Detroit, PFPP works together with the city on park maintenance and improvements. PFPP also provides recreational activities, cultural festivals and community events, and other programming in the park, reaching an audience of over 10,000 each year.

CURRENT PARK PROJECTS

Habitat Restauration Project
Habitat Project Postcard

About the Project

The City of Detroit, Detroit Exploration and Nature Center (DEN), People for Palmer Park and a team of ecological experts are working to make Lake Frances and Witherell Woods more healthy, usable, and beautiful. This team has collaborated to initiate a substantial habitat restoration initiative in Palmer Park as one of seven projects selected to receive grant funding to benefit communities and wildlife habitats in southeast Michigan by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Over the next year, we will clean up the Lake, replace invasive species with native plants, and improve walking and biking paths on the South end of the park. We will also be developing a long-term ecological restoration and management plan for the remnant woods occupying the center of the park. We have begun the detailed planning, design, permitting and an intensive community engagement process for this effort, including a public survey. We are also in the process of seeking participation from allied stakeholder groups, agencies, and institutions, all of whom are essential to the long-term success of this effort. This amazing ecological transformation in the much-cherished Palmer Park, will provide a myriad of opportunities, including education, research, public access to nature, and others.

This project is funded by the City of Detroit and NFWF.

Geese and Ducks Sign

On-Going Community Engagement at Palmer Park in April

  • PFPP Annual Meeting April 17th
  • PFPP Earth day Event April 24th
  • DEN Event