Detroit outlines parks gains, maintenance needs; Coleman A. Young rec center expected to reopen in spring

The General Services Department told Detroit councilmembers on Oct. 12 that parks and recreation work has expanded in the past year but that maintenance and capital needs remain.

Director Crystal Perkins said crews maintain more than 300 city parks, added more than 50,000 square feet of gardens and planted roughly 700,000 bulbs last spring. She said Roosevelt Park won a Gold Award from the Michigan Green Industry Association and the Keep Michigan Beautiful Presidential Award. Perkins also briefed councilmembers on cleanup tied to the Joe Louis Greenway — including removal of about 31,000 tires — and said about 4.5 miles of the greenway are under construction with 8.11 miles completed.

Council members sought updates on park restrooms, access at smaller “pocket” parks, and what’s needed to bring Irma Henderson Marina to a state of good repair. Perkins said the marina was excluded from a recent RFP because it requires “a lot of capital improvement” and the city is conducting a study with construction partners to determine scope.

On the Coleman A. Young Recreation Center — a frequent topic for constituents — Perkins said staff expect to receive the facility from Construction & Demo in April and to plan a grand reopening in May if permits and occupancy clearances are obtained. She said furniture deliveries are already being arranged.

Councilmembers proposed multiple park investments and placed them into the executive-session and closing-resolution process during the budget hearing. Proposals include funding requests tied to Palmer Park walkways and bike paths, Comstock Park flood fixes, renovation of the nursery building at Rouge Park, new benches and trash cans on park paths, and renovations at Farwell and Derby Hill parks. Several members asked the administration to return with cost details and timelines.

Perkins and members also discussed recreation centers’ weekend schedules. The department said roughly eight of 13 city recreation centers open on Saturdays; none are open on Sundays. Councilmember James Tate moved — and the committee approved with no objections — adding a funding request to consider opening Crowell Recreation Center on Saturdays on a full- or part-time basis for the fiscal year; staff asked for time to supply cost estimates.

Committee members also discussed park safety tools. Perkins said a closed bid had been received for cameras at four parks and the city is pursuing cameras in larger parks to curb illegal dumping and other illicit activity.

Councilmembers thanked the department for improved maintenance while reserving judgment pending details on the proposals added to executive session and the department’s follow-up reports.