• 2026 Park improvements represent nearly $20M investment in neighborhood recreational opportunities and quality of life
• Adopt-A-Park program nears 100 community partner organizations

As neighborhood beautification continues to be a priority for her new Administration, Mayor Sheffield 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. To view the PRSP, click here.

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. The 2027 application will open November 2026. For more information, click here.

“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.”

Parks with active improvement projects during the second half of 2026 are:

• Eliza Howell Park (District 1) Construction begins Fall 2026
  This $1-million project will add a nature play area that will be accessible for special needs children and caregivers. A combination of Gilbert Family Foundation, the State of Michigan Trust Fund grant and the City are funding this project.
• Peterson Park (District 2) Completed July 2026
  $1.5 million upgrades include new nature play area (pictured), splash pad, playground, picnic tables, updated tennis court (pictured).
• Jayne-Lasky Park (District 3) In the Planning Phase – construction expected Spring 2027
  This project will be funded by a $1.25 million Strategic Neighborhood Fund investment, supported by the Dauch Corporation, and will include a multi-sport court construction, better connectivity and plaza around the Lasky Recreation Center.
• Hasse Emery (District 3) In the bidding process
  This project will feature a unique toddler focused playground and tot town; the project is funded by $500,000 from Gilbert Family Foundation.
• Farwell Park (District 3) Completed July 2026
  This park is receiving tennis court improvements, a new playground (pictured) and over a mile of asphalt pathways, including a large walking loop with a budget of $2 million from a special State allocation.
• Dorais Park (District 3) Construction set to be complete in Fall 2026
  This park will become a BMX Bike and Nature Park, the first of its kind in the city. The project has a $1.5-million budget and will have multi-use trails (pictured). The project is funded by a combination of Gilbert Family Foundation, ARPA and City funds.
• Heilmann Park (District 3) Under construction with Spring 2027 completion
  This park is receiving $1.8M in improvements from the Strategic Neighborhood Fund, supported by Fifth Third Bank, including new accessible play features, better connectivity between the school and recreation center, new sports courts (basketball and tennis), new building entry plaza, exercise equipment and more. Heilmann and Simanek Parks are the last two Strategic Neighborhood Fund park projects in our portfolio and significantly transform both sites. Heilmann park is also funded through the national ORLP (Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program) grant and CDBG funds.
• MLK Park (District 5) Project is out to bid
  This $2.5 million project is a historic renovation for MLK Plaza and complete park expansion that will triple the footprint of the park, adding a playground, parking, horseshoe area, picnic amenities, seating, trees and landscaping, all while honoring the history of the site.
• Cass Park (District 6) 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.
• Patton Park (District 6) 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.
• Simanek Park (District 7) Under construction with Summer 2027 completion
  This park is receiving a complete park renovation with a nature play area, stormwater management, sports fields, playgrounds, shelters and more! The $3 million investment is funded by the Strategic Neighborhood Fund, supported by Huntington Bank. This and Heilmann Park’s projects are the last two Strategic Neighborhood Fund projects and will significantly transform both sites.