Milan Park Revitalized: Brings New Life and Cleaner Air to Northwest Detroit Neighborhood

Milan Park, a vital green space in Northwest Detroit’s Evergreen Outer Drive neighborhood, has received a transformative makeover and Project EverGreen is proud to have been part of the community-led effort to bring it back to life.

Located near Ralph W. Emerson Elementary-Middle School, Milan Park has long served as a gathering place for neighborhood families. In 2023, Detroit’s Parks and Recreation Division invited local residents, Emerson families, and teachers to help reimagine the park’s future. Their voices shaped a revitalized vision that resulted in a vibrant, inclusive space reflecting the heart and needs of the community.

“Transformations like these aren’t achieved by one person or group alone, it takes a community effort,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Well-maintained parks are more than just green spaces, they’re hubs of connection, activity, and health. We’re proud to help bring that energy back to Milan Park.”

This marks Project EverGreen’s fifth GreenCare for Communities project in Detroit since 2017.

Construction began in early 2024, and the enhancements are impressive: a second playground, a renovated natural grass soccer field, new combination soccer/football goals, improved walkways, a new softball field, benches, picnic tables, BBQ grills, fitness equipment, and a new park entrance off Evergreen Road. These upgrades make Milan Park a safe, accessible, and engaging destination for residents of all ages.

To support this transformation, the City of Detroit invested $450,000 and partnered with Project EverGreen, the Gilbert Family Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, which contributed an additional $300,000. Project EverGreen’s construction partner, Premier Group Associates, brought their experience and commitment to revitalizing urban parks and worked tirelessly to deliver a project that promotes safety, health, and environmental sustainability.

In addition, Project EverGreen teamed up with The Davey Tree Expert Company to prune existing mature trees, improving both their health and aesthetic value. In partnership with RE-TREE, 25 trees were harvested and re-homed from various locations across Greater Detroit, and an additional 35 trees were planted by The Greening of Detroit.

These upgrades don’t just improve the park’s appearance they elevate Milan Park into a true community asset. Urban green spaces like Milan serve as the lungs of a city filtering pollutants, enhancing air quality, and promoting public well-being. The park’s trees and turf alone sequester more than 351,000 pounds of carbon annually and generate over 530,000 cubic yards of clean air, the environmental equivalent of removing 45 cars from the road each year.

Adding a creative touch, Detroit City Walls and SpaceLab Detroit commissioned three sidewalk murals designed by local artist Miranda Kyle, selected through the City Walls Blight Abatement Artist Residency Program. Featuring lemon trees, a symbol chosen by the community, the murals are expected to be completed by the end of June.

“The City of Detroit’s investment in this beautiful park highlights our commitment to providing residents with safe, modern outdoor spaces,” said Crystal Perkins, director of the General Services Department. “We hope families in the neighborhood, as well as the Emerson School community, enjoy everything Milan Park now has to offer.”

Project EverGreen is honored to support Detroit’s continued commitment to green equity, ensuring that safe, welcoming parks are within reach for every resident. Together, we’re building greener, healthier, and more connected communities one park at a time.

Why Are Green Spaces Important to Detroit?

Green spaces play a critical role in Detroit’s ongoing revitalization:

• Environmental Benefits – Green spaces reduce air pollution, absorb carbon dioxide, and help combat the urban heat island effect. They also provide habitats for wildlife and support local biodiversity.
• Health Benefits – Access to green space has been linked to improved mental health, reduced stress, and increased physical activity. In neighborhoods with limited access to fresh food and safe outdoor spaces, parks are essential for healthy living.
• Economic Benefits – Parks and green spaces boost property values, attract businesses and residents, and support job creation through tourism and community development.
• Community Engagement and Accessibility –  Parks serve as gathering spaces for events and recreation, fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening neighborhood connections.

Under Mayor Mike Duggan’s leadership, Detroit has seen a revitalization of its green infrastructure, including new urban gardens, parks, and greenways. These initiatives are helping to address environmental, health, and economic challenges while enhancing the city’s quality of life.

Project EverGreen, with the support of our volunteers, donors, and partners, is proud to help make Detroit’s parks more accessible and impactful. We look forward to working with the Gilbert Family Foundation and the City of Detroit to identify future park renovation projects in 2025 and beyond.