Mayor joins neighbors and community partners to celebrate the completed renovation of Sasser Park

• New park improvements and additions made possible thanks to funding from City, Wayne County and Detroit Pistons 
• Sasser is latest of more than 160 City parks to be completely renovated in recent years 

Mayor Mike Duggan joined local officials and community members to unveil and celebrate the newly renovated Sasser Park. The 9.5-acre park on the city’s far northeast side is the latest in more than 160 city parks that have been renovated in the past 8 years.  

Prior to the renovation, the park only had a small playground and a single baseball diamond. The completed renovations include new amenities such as a walking loop with neighborhood connections, an updated playground, and more.   

Additional Park improvements include:  

• Large picnic shelter  
• Fitness equipment 
• Basketball court  
• Picnic areas 
• Seating
• Drinking fountain  

“One of the things that defines a neighborhood and makes it a place families want to live, is quality of the park closest to home,” said Mayor Duggan. “The improvements made to Sasser Park are just tremendous and we’ve done the same thing at more than 160 parks in neighborhoods across the city. And this time we had great partners at Wayne County and the Detroit Pistons to completely remake Sasser Park for the residents of this community, and our neighbors in Harper Woods.”  

These new additions are also a product of the advocacy of passionate community members, whose input was invaluable to the city throughout the planning process. These exciting renovations ensure that members of the Moross-Morang neighborhood have a park that aligns with the community’s needs and provides an enjoyable park space with amenities for all ages.   

“I am very excited with the work our Landscape Design and Parks & Public Spaces teams are doing as it relates to beautifying our parks and green spaces throughout the city,” said Crystal Perkins, General Services Department. “Sasser Park is no exception to the great work our teams are doing with the help of our community partners. This park is unique because it connects two communities that were separated by the freeway, making it a challenge for residents of the Moross-Morang community to safely get to the Balduck neighborhood.” 

On top of the many new features of Sasser Park, the beautiful basketball court was funded through the Pistons Community Benefits Program, which has provided funds for neighborhood parks throughout the City of Detroit to replace, renovate, or install 60 new basketball courts. 

“As part of the Detroit Pistons move back to the city in 2017, the organization made a $2.5 million commitment to repair and refurbish 60 basketball courts in parks throughout the neighborhoods,” said Kevin Grigg, Chief Communications Officer for the Detroit Pistons.  “We are pleased to have Sasser Park included on that list and play a small role in the larger renovation being unveiled to those who utilize and enjoy the park on a regular basis.” 

Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic delaying Sasser Park improvements, the project remained a top priority of the General Services Department, and community engagement efforts began in 2021 with a series of virtual meetings. Council Member Johnson and New Beginnings Community Development Corp. worked to advocate for additional funding for the project to ensure the upgrades became a reality, and construction officially began in March of 2023.  

“Having Sasser Playground reimagined is a win for the Moross-Morang Community as it contributes to the identity of our community,” Lisa Williams, Director of New Beginnings. “As a grassroots, faith-based organization serving this community, New Beginnings CDC is proud to have led the efforts in bringing new life to Sasser Playground Park. What was once a space with limited use is now a place that provides opportunities for connection, recreation, and fitness.  We are grateful for the community members, county officials, and city officials who supported and executed the plan – advancing our mission to inspire new beginnings.” 

The $750,000 of funding for the renovations was made possible by contributions from the City of Detroit and Wayne County.   

“Parks are an essential element in building neighborhoods,” explained Tim Killeen, Wayne County Commissioner. “I am delighted that I could provide Wayne County Parks Millage tax dollars for the great improvements here at Sasser Park.” 

“I worked with community leaders near Sasser Park for several years before I took office, so I was keenly aware of their needs and desires for this long-neglected asset,” explained Councilwoman Latisha Johnson, District 4. “Beautifying the park and adding amenities was an excellent opportunity to enhance people's lives, so funding the project was among my first budget priorities. Today, Sasser Park has been transformed from a diamond in the rough into a shining jewel where children can play, seniors can walk, and families can bond. This incredible transformation has enhanced the beauty and value of one of the most densely populated communities in my district, and for that, I am grateful.”

About Sasser Park:  

Sasser Park, located in the Moross-Morang Neighborhood, is a 9.5-acre park acquired by the City of Detroit in 1947. Moross-Morang is bordered by I-94, which made accessing the nearby Balduck neighborhood challenging. Sasser Park will now serve as a bridge between the two vibrant neighborhoods.