Press Conference for the redesign of Roosevelt Park in Corktown

IMPORTANT UPDATE!

Due to poor Air Quality, we have postponed the Community Celebration portion of today’s Ribbon Cutting. The health and safety of our residents and guests is always our highest priority. The press conference will still proceed at 1pm with an abbreviated timeline to limit exposure.  Masks will be provided. The Celebration will be rescheduled to a future date under more favorable conditions. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Located in Michigan Ave, most people probably think of Roosevelt Park as the front lawn of Michigan Central Station. Indeed, it is it’s own City of Detroit park.  Nestled between two of Detroit’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Corktown and Mexicantown in southwest Detroit, the park serves as a bridge between the Mexican and Irish cultures.  Festivals and celebrations regularly took place in the park but as it fell into greater disrepair, programming dwindled.   As renovations began at Michigan Central Station, the City  began planning improvements to Roosevelt Park.  In 2020, the Greater Corktown Framework Plan identified Roosevelt Park as a priority for neighborhood residents.  Furthermore, it specifically recommended rerouting Vernor Hwy away from the center of the park, creating a unified parcel.

Thanks to funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, the General Services Division commenced the Roosevelt Park Improvement Project.  Community outreach was conducted in the Corktown, Mexicantown, and Hubbard-Richard neighborhoods. After months of public input, the design for Roosevelt Park was finalized and construction kicked off in July 2022.  Now, a year later, we can’t wait to reintroduce Detroit to its new unified Roosevelt Park. Come experience an old familiar place in a new way.  

The formal Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will begin at 1:00pm with Mayor Duggan addressing attendees as well as esteemed speakers from the Corktown and Mexicantown neighborhoods.  A Community Celebration will continue until 4:00pm with face painting, carnival games, live entertainment, food trucks- and MORE!