City of Detroit transforms once vacant land into new Tireman-Minock Park

• Former Dixon Elementary School was demolished in 2017, leaving a 3.7-acre vacant block at the intersection of Tireman Avenue and Minock Street on Detroit's West Side
• The all-new Tireman-Minock Park features a playground, picnic tables, picnic shelter, walkways, fitness equipment and more
• This park is a Strategic Neighborhood Fund initiative funded by President Biden's American Rescue Plan Act, The Huntington National Bank and the Gilbert Family Foundation

Today, Mayor Duggan joined city leaders and community partners to celebrate the completion of Tireman-Minock Park, a beautiful new park right in the heart of the Warrendale/Cody Rouge neighborhood.

Dixon Elementary School was formerly at this site and was demolished in 2017, leaving a 3.7-acre block at the intersection of Tireman Avenue and Minock Street on Detroit's West Side vacant. The City of Detroit has more than 300 parks, most of which are nestled within neighborhoods. Prior to the Tireman-Minock park project, this neighborhood in the Warrendale/Cody Rouge community did not have a park to call their own. The City of Detroit General Services Department (GSD) acquired and developed the property to fill a critical park gap.

"Ensuring our residents have access to recreation right in their neighborhoods is essential," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "We are turning blight to beauty yet again. We are thankful for Invest Detroit and The Huntington National Bank's investment into the Strategic Neighborhood Fund here in Warrendale/Cody Rouge, and for the Gilbert Family Foundation's continued support of our neighborhoods."

"Tireman-Minock Park symbolizes our dedication to revitalizing greenspaces into functional, safe, and vibrant community hubs," said Councilman Fred Durhal III. "It's exciting to see parks like this one come to life in District 7, as they play a vital role in enriching the quality of life for our seniors and youth while fostering community connections."

Planning for the park included extensive community outreach in the form of community meetings as well as a survey to determine what residents wanted to see in their neighborhood park. Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance was part of that process.

Photo of property at corner of Tireman and Minock before construction began in Fall 2022.

"Cody Rouge Community Action is laser focused on providing resources and leadership for a healthy and informed community," said co-founder and community development manager for the organization, Dr. Patricia Butler. "We are addressing four co-morbidity factors: diabetes, hypertension, aloneness/loneliness and stress. The Tireman Minock Park will play a vital role in our quest to be agents of community transformation."

Initial plans were completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost of the new park was estimated at $500,000. Given this park is located within a Strategic Neighborhood Fund neighborhood, it became an SNF investment with funding made possible thanks to the Biden-Harris administration's American Rescue Plan Act and SNF partners, The Huntington National Bank.

"Invest Detroit is proud to have invested in the creation of Tireman-Minock Park through the Strategic Neighborhood Fund." said Jermaine Ruffin, senior vice president, neighborhoods for Invest Detroit. "Quality parks and recreational space are a key component of what makes a neighborhood special, which is why they are a major priority for SNF. Another big priority is hearing directly from the community about what features they want to see in these important public spaces. That engagement is a critical part of the ongoing success of the Strategic Neighborhood Fund."

"Huntington has been a proud investor in the strategic neighborhood fund since the very beginning, and we have been honored to see the incredible work it's doing in neighborhoods like Warrendale, Cody Rouge, and Grandmont Rosedale," said Gary Torgow, Chairman of the Board of Directors at The Huntington National Bank. "We've been excited to play a role in the creation of the Tireman Minock park - a beautiful space that will serve this community and the families who call it home, for generations to come."

Left to Right: Councilman Fred Durhal III (District 7), Gary Torgow (Chairman of The Huntington National Bank), JJ Velez (Director of Public Spaces for Gilbert Family Foundation), Brad Dick (City of Detroit Chief Operating Officer), Mayor Mike Duggan, Dr. Patricia Butler (Co-founder and Community Development Manager for Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance), and Jermaine Ruffin (Senior Vice President of Invest Detroit)

Due to inflation, project bids came back significantly higher and additional funding was needed to complete the project. Gilbert Family Foundation stepped in with an additional $275,000 to cover the funding gap and ensure important amenities such as a walking loop, park shelters, additional trees, and essential sidewalk repairs were completed on time. Construction of the park started in Fall 2022.

"The completion of Tireman-Minock Park is a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of community voice," said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of Gilbert Family Foundation. "We were proud to provide the final funding needed to transform a vacant lot into a vital community space that will improve Detroiters' quality of life and serve as a source of pride for generations to come."

Children playing on newly constructed playground at Tireman-Minock Park.

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