Gmeiner Park

GMEINER PARK CELEBRATES WITH RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

On July 13, 2023 Project EverGreen, representatives from the City of Detroit and supporting partners celebrated the official rededication of Gmeiner Park.

Project Overview

Detroit’s Gmeiner Park, located at 10301 W. Seven Mile Road just north of downtown Detroit, is undergoing a renovation that includes planting mature trees, new picnic areas and extended walking path, an inclusive playground, improved baseball diamond and educational materials that will help the community care for the park for years to come.

When completed, the renovated 10-acre park will provide more than 5,000 Detroit residents with access to neighborhood greenspace for recreation, play, and opportunities to gather. The project will be completed in two phases: the first in the fall of 2022 and the second in the spring/summer of 2023. This is the fourth GreenCare for Communities park renovation project the national non-profit has done in Detroit since 2017.

Project Scope

• Demolition and prep work, grading and removal of old shrubs.
• Planting of 17 new trees around the perimeter of the park.
• Installation of a 6 foot wide, half-mile concrete walkway around the park.
• Amenities to be added include new picnic tables, grills, bike racks and benches.
• Site work for new inclusive playground.

Mature trees sequester 8 times more carbon than young trees.

The Trees At Gmeiner Park

The 17 trees – sugar maples, red maples, Armstrong Maples, red oaks and sycamores – that were planted at Gmeiner Park in November were saved from a former nursery that had gone out of business. Rather than being clear-cut by the developer of the property, RE-Tree, a digital marketplace that saves and repurposes unique mature trees either by buying, selling, or relocating them, stepped in.

Re-Tree dug up 300 trees, took care of them at their tree farm for a year and has been finding homes for them on its digital website. The Gmeiner Park trees were transported on four semi trucks and planted in the ground with fertilizer, quality soil and soil amendments.

About the Gmeiner Park Crowdfunding Campaign

As part of its ongoing efforts to deliver a greener, healthier, cooler Earth, Project EverGreen’s partnered with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) on a crowdfunding campaign in December 2022.

With the generous support of both corporate and individual donors, the campaign reached its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 and the project earned a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program.

“This project will breathe new life into an important community asset and provide new recreational opportunities for residents of this neighborhood in Northwest Detroit,” said MEDC Executive Vice President of Economic Development Incentives Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Why Are Green Spaces Important to Detroit?

Green spaces are important to Detroit for several reasons:

• Environmental benefits: Green spaces can help reduce air pollution, absorb carbon dioxide, and reduce the urban heat island effect. They also provide habitats for wildlife and help maintain biodiversity.
• Health benefits: Access to green spaces has been shown to improve mental health, reduce stress, and promote physical activity. In a city like Detroit, where many residents live in areas with limited access to fresh food and safe outdoor spaces, green spaces can provide important opportunities for exercise and recreation.
• Economic benefits: Green spaces can increase property values and attract businesses, tourists, and new residents to the area. This can lead to increased economic activity and job creation.
• Community engagement: Green spaces can provide a gathering place for community events and activities, fostering a sense of community and social cohesion.

In recent years, Detroit under Mayor Duggan has experienced a revitalization of its green spaces, including the development of urban gardens, parks, and greenways. These initiatives have helped to address the city’s environmental, health, and economic challenges while also promoting community engagement and improving quality of life for residents.

Project EverGreen, its volunteers and donors are proud to help make parks and green spaces in Detroit more accessible to residents and contribute to improving the environmental, health and economic benefits that everyone can enjoy.