Dearborn Planning $30M Investment Into Public Parks

DEARBORN, MI — Dearborn officials are planning to invest $30 million into public parks and green infrastructure throughout the city.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud said the project is intended to create a lasting multigenerational impact for the people of Dearborn.

"Shared public spaces are the heartbeat of our City. Public parks bring people together. They fuel imaginations, encourage healthy activity, and boost local economies. When I imagine a thriving Dearborn 10, 20, 50 years from now, I see a beautiful park in every neighborhood and a greener, healthier City," Hammoud said.

The project's park upgrades include:

• Free public outdoor wifi
• Playscapes
• Pools and splash pads
• Basketball courts and soccer fields
• Playscapes
• $2 million investment in Camp Dearborn, a recreation and camping area in Milford that the city has owned and operated since 1948

The project also includes building three completely new parks in Dearborn, one in each region: Southend, East Downtown and West Downtown. More details and specifics about the parks will be released at a later date.

"This project is also about investing equitably across the City," Hammoud said. "We hope these three new "sister parks" encourage movement of residents across the City to areas they might not otherwise frequent. Public spaces create community bonds and connection, which is what Dearborn is all about."

The project also aims to expand the total green surface area of the City, given the ongoing challenge of flood mitigation in Dearborn, a downstream community. Plans include building rain gardens, more permeable surfaces and funds to remove logjams that lead to flooded surfaces.

The funding breakdown is as follows:

• $10 million from the City’s ARPA fund
• $10 million in grant funding from Wayne County’s ARPA fund
• $8 million from the State Legislature
• $2 million from a combination of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other park grants