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Parks director outlines $1M SPARK grant for Ives/Reggie McKinsey Field upgrades
Summary
Parks and Recreation told residents it has nearly $1,000,000 in SPARK grant funding to improve Ives/Reggie McKinsey Field with new amenities, bids awarded and contractor selection complete, and a planned early‑spring ground breaking.
Parks & Recreation officials described an expansion of programming and a near‑$1 million SPARK grant to upgrade athletic fields and add amenities at parks in Highland Park.
The department said it will use roughly $1,000,000 in SPARK funding for improvements at Ives Field (Reggie McKinsey Field), with contractors selected and bids out; officials expect to break ground in early spring 2026 and aim to have fields and playscape available by the following summer. Planned improvements include updated baseball diamonds, a playscape, a stage and a dedicated pickleball court.
Programming and partnerships: The parks director described year‑round programming at the Ernest T. Ford Fieldhouse — health fairs, senior programming, open gym, chess, drone and dance classes, and a bicycle‑repair partnership intended to support Joe Louis Greenway access — and said parks improvements rely on grants and donations because the capital budget contains no dedicated funds.
Next steps and public involvement: The department plans to continue seeking grants and strengthen Adopt‑a‑Park partnerships; it asked residents to sign up for city notifications to hear about bids, public hearings and volunteer opportunities. Officials said work on the Joe Louis Greenway segment in Highland Park is nearing completion and that park improvements are being coordinated with that project.
