Detroit Unveils Revamped a.b. Ford Park After $11.9m Makeover

An $11.9 million transformation has brought new life to A.B. Ford Park on Detroit's east riverfront. The 34-acre space now boasts twin playgrounds, a basketball court, and eco-friendly additions.

The final phase wraps up months after a community center opened its doors in Oct. 2023. New additions include waterfront spaces, fitness zones, winding paths, and places to picnic under open skies.

"Eight years ago, we took Riverside Park, an empty, contaminated piece of land next to the Ambassador Bridge and turned it into a riverfront jewel for the residents of Southwest Detroit. Today we celebrate a similar transformation for residents of the city's east side here at A.B. Ford Park," said Mayor Mike Duggan, according to detroitmi.gov.

Workers tackled old pollution head-on. They dug deep, swapped bad soil for good, and planted 550 saplings to make up for 250 trees lost during the spring cleanup.

The site holds secrets from its past as a Cold War radar base. Two tower foundations still stand watch, waiting for artists to paint a mural in spring 2026.

The changes stem from plans made in 2019, when officials asked neighbors what they wanted in their park. Their input shaped each new feature and space.

Crystal Perkins, Detroit General Services Department Director, said the changes reflect community wishes: "This transformative project is a result of what this neighborhood told us they wanted to see. For the last two years, community members have made memories at the new community center and today we celebrate an opportunity to do the same as this new park."

Money flowed from two sources: the American Rescue Plan Act and Strategic Neighborhood Fund. Virtual meetings during COVID's peak in May 2020 set plans in motion for both the center and park spaces.