DETROIT – Balduck Park was packed with people and excitement on Monday, March 25 as neighbors gathered for a ribbon cutting and community celebration to introduce some major park improvements to the area.
“This is great. We have prayed for this to happen,” said Major Bob Tillman, a Tuskegee Airman who has spent 55 years working with local children.
It was an afternoon that included pony rides and a petting zoo as families toured the new updates and improvements in Balduck Park.
“I like the paintings and the new playground,” said Byron McCants. “I like seeing everything come together.”
Among the improvements are new walkways, expanded playgrounds, new signage and lighting, a picnic shelter, a dog park, new trees, and improvements on the popular community hill
Maj. Tillman said, “Parks are essential for young people because it gives them an outlet to come and enjoy themselves. Play different games, you know, get involved.”
Balduck Park, according to the City of Detroit, is the largest public park on the East Side. The $1.5 million in renovations was made possible by investments from Blue Cross and Blue Shield and funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act.
“This is beyond significant,” said Brieanna Bell with E. Warren Development Corporation. “The synergy in this community. The passion behind this community. I think it’s giving them hope and it shows that people are rooting for this community and supporting this community.”
Neighbors said the park is all about connections. They said it was important for residents from communities like E. Warren, East English Village, Cornerstone, and Marcellus Block Club to let the city know what improvements families wanted to see in Balduck Park.
Community members said they hope the improvements will encourage more families to get out of their homes and enjoy Balduck Park.