Renovations at Detroit's Balduck Park bring upgraded sled hill, playground, dog park

Detroit — Terrie Bivings watched as her children Te'Rae and Tyree played, talked and danced with the Easter Bunny at Balduck Park, joining other families at a Monday celebration of the $1.5 million renovation project at the largest park on Detroit's east side.

Bivings, 34, of Detroit, has lived near the park since she was in high school and often takes her five children there. She said she appreciates the new bathrooms, stairs up the hill and playground equipment that gives kids lots of opportunities to climb.

"I'm so sick of them sitting around on tablets and phones," Bivings said. "It's hard for them to go out and enjoy things if there's nothing for them to enjoy, so it's great that they made these improvements."

Balduck Park, near the East Warren corridor, has received significant investments through the city's of Detroit's Strategic Neighborhood Fund, including improved park entries and signage, stairs on the sledding hill, new walkways, an upgraded playground, a picnic shelter and a dog park. Crews also planted 92 trees to manage flooding in the park's south end.

The work was funded through $984,700 from the Strategic Neighborhood Fund and $600,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act, according to a city press release. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and other companies donated to the Strategic Neighborhood Fund.

The Monday celebration of park renovations included pony rides, live music, free food and a bunny petting area. Mayor Mike Duggan, community partners and city representatives attended to celebrate the infrastructure improvements.

"We've done this all over the city," Duggan said. "I don't know that there's an area we've made more progress in the last 10 years than restoring the parks."

Aja Hasal of Detroit, 31, walked her dogs around the park Monday afternoon, something she seldom does due to the park's lack of pet friendly areas. She highlighted the new picnic shelter and the revamping of the play areas.

"To see the new advancement of structures, things for kids to do outside versus just sitting in the house being on the screen, I really like that," Hasal said, adding that her 12-year-old and 9-year-old kids play soccer at the park often.

Desirae Hunter of Detroit, 37, is a member of a community club that advocates for beautification like what's happened at Balduck Park. She has lived in the neighborhood for the past 12 years with her five kids and said she is inspired by the care and concern that went into the park.

"We sled in the winter," Hunter said. "My son is always at the basketball court ..., plenty of birthday parties out here and everything."

City officials highlighted additional Strategic Neighborhood Fund spending in and around the East Warren/Cadieux neighborhoods, including support for an 18-unit affordable housing development called The Ribbon, Terri's Cakes and $8.8 million in streetscape improvements.

mjohnson@detroitnews.com

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