The Dearborn City Council on Jan. 13 advanced authorization for cooperative contract purchases to install inclusive playgrounds at Hemlock and Ford Field at a total cost of $3,399,230.

Parks and Recreation explained the playscapes are designed for children of varied abilities and include accessible routes, sensory‑rich features and inclusive swings. The administration proposed using $2,456,998 from a HIAP grant allocation and $942,232 from the general capital improvement fund to cover the balance. Officials said the playground equipment is a custom order and expected to arrive in early fall with construction completed by November, roughly a nine‑month project timeline.

Council members asked about exact locations and what will happen to existing equipment; the administration said the Ford Field playscape will be placed on the lower level (near Brady) to replace a frequently flooded upper playscape and that one baseball diamond will be repaired and another replaced to accommodate the new layout. Council voiced support for creating inclusive, closer‑to‑home playground access across the city.

The resolution authorizing the contract and recognizing the grant and fund appropriations was before the council for approval; clerk procedures for unanimous‑roll items were followed as presented on the agenda.