Like many city parks, Clark Park is beloved. Like only a few, it has an active dedicated steward in the
Clark Park Coalition. The organization has organized leagues, cut the grass, planted trees and tons more since 1991, and is making sure that 2010 is yet another banner year for the Southwest Detroit green space.
First, some good news that came out of bad. Three times, segments of fencing at the park were stolen, approximately 750 feet of fencing six feet high, according to Clark Park Coalition director Anthony Benavides.The story aired on Fox 2 News and generated an immediate response. Home Depot came through with replacement fencing and volunteers to install it, and General Motors Chevrolet Division came through with additional funding to ensure its long-term security. A bevy of smaller individual donors also contributed to the project.
What else is happening at the park?
For the first time since 9-11, Riverside Park's boat launch is accessible to the public, and Clark Park is helping to clean it up. Benavides credits the City of Detroit Recreation Department with the initiative to open the gates and let the public access the facility.
On May 15, Clark Park Coalition is partnering with the Greening of Detroit to plant trees on W. Grand Blvd. from Lafayette to Michigan Ave.
The spring tennis session is underway, with classes for youth and adults, and a summer session is already scheduled. Slots remain for all tennis classes.
Adult softball, which plays Friday nights, is underway, and a few teams still need players.
The Mexicantown and Hubbard Farms teams of the Detroit City Futbol league are using Clark Park as their practice field.
The first weekend in June, a new tile-lined stage will be unveiled with a reception. Read more about that community art project
here.
To inquire about anything going on at Clark Park, call 313-841-8534. Clark Park is bounded by Scotten, W. Vernor, Clark and Lafayette.
Source: Anthony Benavides, Clark Park Coalition
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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