Ferndale unveils final site design for Martin Road Park support facility; $2.16 million in grants cover project

Ferndale Parks and Recreation Director Lorena Wheeler presented the final site and floor plans for a new Recreation Support Building at Martin Road Park during the June 10 City Council meeting.

The project is funded entirely with grants totaling $2,156,000, Wheeler said: a HUD community project funding award of $704,000, a Michigan Community Enhancement Grant of $500,000 and a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Spark Grant for facilities of $951,000. "We raised enough funding to cover the project based on the estimates we receive without having to use any general funding at this time," Wheeler told the council.

The city said the single-story building will sit off the main path opposite the splash pad and adjacent to the pickleball courts. The floor plan presented includes a concession area, separate men's and women's restrooms, a family restroom with changing bench, storage for splash-pad chemicals and equipment, a janitor's closet, mechanical room and a staff office with park views. Wheeler said the design preserved mature trees by situating the building away from an existing sanitary line and relocating two older service buildings that will be demolished.

Wheeler said the project responds to increased park use after recent additions — pickleball courts, a splash pad, a pavilion and basketball courts — and noted that permitting previously limited how many people the splash pad could safely serve. "We saw that need a while back, especially for our splash pad," she said, adding the building will allow more users to be accommodated.

The city said it has held community engagement since 2022, including four community design meetings and regular Parks and Recreation Commission discussions. Wheeler said key public priorities included prioritizing function over size, accessible restrooms, preserving green space and providing covered seating areas.

Next steps listed by staff include obtaining Michigan Department of Natural Resources approval, finalizing construction drawings, issuing an RFP this summer and selecting a contractor. Site prep and demolition are planned to begin after Labor Day, with construction to continue through the following spring.

Council members praised the grant fundraising and the project design. "I'm thrilled we don't have to pay for it," one councilmember said, thanking staff for securing the grants. Wheeler said the contract award and final contractor selection will return to council for approval once the RFP process is complete.

The city asked the public to direct questions about design or the project timeline to the Parks and Recreation Department.