DETROIT – The long neglected northwest Detroit playground and park could be seeing some much needed renovations.
The Viola Liuzzo Park Association announced events to commemorate the sacrifice of the iconic civil rights activist and raise money to restore the park at Trojan Avenue and Winthrop Street.
The park was named after Viola Liuzzo, a young mother and civil rights worker from Detroit who was assassinated near Selma, Alabama in 1965 by the KKK.
Activities are planned in partnership with Wayne State University, Liuzzo's alma mater.
"During the last few years as the city stopped maintaining parks, we neighbors kept the grass mowed as best as we could," said Artis Johnson, a resident living across from the park. "We think that Sister Liuzzo deserves much better and so do our kids."
In commemoration of Liuzzo's birthday on Saturday, a celebration will held in the park between 4 and 6 p.m. featuring the Gospel Tabernacle Step dancers, drum line, popcorn and hot dogs.
On Sunday between noon and 2 p.m., a fundraiser will be held for the park's renovation at the Dorothy Turkel House in Palmer Park. RSVP is required.
Another fundraiser will be held at the Gospel Tabernacle Church on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Greenfield Road.
The association hopes that by revitalizing the Viola Liuzzo Park will celebrate the city of Detroit and its role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Donations can be made payable to: GREENING OF DETROIT, subject line VIOLA LIUZZO PARK, mailed to: The Greening of Detroit, 1418 Michigan Ave. Detroit MI 48216.
Contact: Julie Hamilton at 248-549-4197 or Colette Mezza at 586-944-5956.
