DETROIT (WWJ) -- The city of Detroit has taken on more than 150 park renovation projects since 2014, bringing places for sports, recreation, leisure and relaxation to countless neighborhoods across the city.
But none have been as extensive as O’Hair Park, which was officially completed on Wednesday.
The $2 million project saw what was once a desolate patch of land on the city’s northwest side transformed into 78 acres now filled with eight soccer fields, two softball fields, a baseball field, a pair of Detroit Pistons basketball courts, updated playscapes, a brand-new picnic shelter, a one-mile walking path and more.
Located between Evergreen and Southfield Freeway and 7 & 8 Mile Roads in the O’Hair Park neighborhood, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says “there are very few neighborhoods in the city that are more defined by the park than this neighborhood was.”
Speaking at the rededication ceremony Wednesday afternoon, Duggan said the city had listened to O’Hair Park residents’ suggestions for several years, and delivered what they wanted to see.
Efforts to transform the park began in 2015 with extensive community engagement that included dozens of meetings with city staff to develop a master plan for O’Hair. “The newly renovated space based on that plan is intended to offer opportunities to increase physical health and mental well-being and for recreation and play. Residents say the park will greatly enhance their quality of life,” city officials said in a press release.
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O’Hair Park was named after Willis Watts O’Hair, a former president of the Detroit Parks and Recreation Department in the 1940s and ‘50s. Her son, retired circuit court judge John O’Hair, told WWJ’s Jon Hewett his thoughts were with her as the city unveiled the sparkling new park.
“She was a wonderful woman and I’m sure she would be -- I’m sure she is -- elated by what she sees and what she heard,” O’Hair said.
Numerous community members were on-hand Wednesday to see the park “return to its former glory,” as Gail Tubbs, president of the O’Hair Park Community Association put it.
“As I gaze across this awesome and impressive park, I am hopeful that this transformation will renew and reinvigorate our neighborhood,” Tubbs said.
In addition to spaces to play sports at O’Hair, community members will be treated to a mile-long walking path, two picnic shelters, fitness equipment, a “comfort station,” playground enhancement, a 40-car parking lot, and new amenities such as benches, picnic tables and bike racks.
The city offered several "before-and-after" looks at the park.
“O’Hair Park is now again the community gem it once was, and neighbors who live near the park had a real voice in helping to shape our plan,” said Brad Dick, who serves as Group Executive for Services and Infrastructure for the city of Detroit.
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