SUMMER STARTS IN DETROIT PARKS: DETROIT PARKS COALITION ANNOUNCES FREE FAMILY PROGRAMS COMING TO 50 PARKS
Lineup includes outdoor events, community yoga classes, walking groups, sports clinics, and more
DETROIT – The Detroit Parks Coalition (DPC), a diverse group of park leaders and advocates working to support healthy, equitable, and vibrant parks in Detroit, today announced its 2026 summer programming schedule, as well as investments in programming, capital improvements, and park stewardship organizations citywide. Together, the programming and regrants reflect an over $1 million investment in 50 of Detroit’s parks.
“From work to play, a fitness walk to a relaxing picnic, neighborhood events and family reunions, parks can be anything for everybody,” said Sigal Hemy Spiegel, Executive Director for the Detroit Parks Coalition. We hope to see you in the parks for our biggest summer yet of fun, free community events.”
A complete schedule of summer programming activities can be found on www.detroitparkscoalition.com/events. Individuals may also request a free Pocket Guide to Detroit Parks, a120-page guidebook to help residents navigate the parks and inspire exploration of all they have to offer. www.detroitparkscoalition.com/freepocketguide
“I am grateful to the Detroit Parks Coalition, The Kresge Foundation and all of the partners who came together to make these free opportunities available for families this summer,” said Dr. Darienne Hudson, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “As a mother and former educator, I know many powerful learning experiences happen outside the classroom. This summer programming schedule creates great opportunities for kids and families to have fun while learning together. Through our Born Learning Trails and Free Little Libraries at 13 of the 50 parks, we’re creating spaces where young people can explore, read, discover and let their curiosity grow.”
Yoga in the Parks
June 1 – September 30
Refresh your mind and body in nature with free, all ages all abilities Yoga in the Parks. Sessions will be held daily.
Mondays, 6 pm - Eliza Howell Park, by the Stickwork sculpture
Mondays, 7:30 pm - Pallister Park
Tuesdays, 6 pm - O’Hair Park, greenspace on Pembroke at Edinborough
Tuesdays, 7:15 pm – Joe Louis Greenway Warren Gateway
Wednesdays, 6 pm - Clark Park, by the ice rink
Wednesdays, 7 pm – Patton Park, behind the recreation center
Thursdays, 6 pm - Milliken State Park
Fridays, 10 am - Milliken State Park
Saturdays, 9 am - Palmer Park, by community garden
Saturdays, 10 am - Chandler Park, across from tennis courts
Sundays, 9 am - Rouge Park Basketball Court
We Walk Detroit
June 1 – September 30
Join community members who know Detroit’s parks intimately for a one-hour social and fitness walk in many of the city’s parks. Free one-time registration is available online on the DPC’s website. All participants will receive a We Walk Detroit t-shirt.
Chandler Park - Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 7-8 am. Meet at outdoor fitness equipment.
Clark Park – Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6-7 pm. Meet at community center.
Detroit Riverfront - Thursdays, 8-9 am. Meet at Cullen Plaza.
Eliza Howell Park - Mondays & Wednesdays, 10-11 am. Meet at Stickwork sculpture.
Joe Louis Greenway: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12-1 pm. Meet at Joy Rd. intersection.
O’Hair Park – Mondays 9-10 am & Wednesdays 6-7 pm. Meet at walking path at Stahelin & Hessel.
Palmer Park – Mondays & Wednesdays, 6-7 pm. Meet at Community House.
Patton Park - Wednesdays & Fridays, 6-7 pm. Meet at recreation center.
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park – Sundays, 8-9 am. Meet at the Sport House.
Rouge Park - Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 pm. Meet at driving range.
Pistons Neighbors Program
June 15 – August 14
Presented in partnership between the DPC, Detroit Pistons Foundation, and City of Detroit Parks & Recreation Division, the Pistons Neighbors Program reflects a shared commitment to Detroit’s parks and the people who enjoy them. A Neighbors Program record seventeen Detroit parks will host free, drop-in activities for all ages, including sports clinics, live music, dance classes, and visual arts. Programming, managed by Come Play Detroit, will be provided by local vendors and presented in collaboration with community-based park organizations. The 2026 Pistons Neighbors Program is funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
Barthwell Steward Park – Tuesdays, noon-3 pm
Boyer Park – Thursdays, noon – 3 pm
Butzel Family Park – Mondays, 4-7 pm
Chandler Park - Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon -3 pm
Charleston Colston Park - Mondays, 12-3 pm
Clark Park – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-7 pm
Cool Cities Park – Wednesdays, 4-7 pm
Eliza Howell Park – Wednesdays, noon-3 pm
Forest Park – Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm
Jayne Field – Fridays, 4-7 pm
Kelley Park – Fridays, noon-3
Love Thy Neighbor Park – Thursdays, 4-7 pm
O’Hair Park – Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-7 pm
Peterson Park – Tuesdays, 4-7 pm
New Center Park – Thursdays, 4-7 pm
Sasser Playground – Saturdays, 2-5 pm
Rouge Park - Wednesdays and Fridays, 4-7 pm
Culminating Activities:
Citywide Tennis Tournament - August 15 in Palmer Park
3v3 in the D - August 8, location TBA
Kresge Programming Regrants
In partnership with The Kresge Foundation, DPC awarded $122,000 to support summer parks programming that supports health, arts and culture and civic engagement for children and their families.
S.H.E. (James T. Hope Playfield): $5,000
People for Palmer Park (Palmer Park): $9,000
The Forgin Initiative (Forigin Neighborhood Coalition): $2,500
Marygrove Community Association (Huntington Community Park): $12,000
Ella Fitzgerald Park Conservancy (Ella Fitzgerald Park): $14,000
Women of Banglatown (Woman of Banglatown Home Base Park) - $10,000
Canfield Consortium (East Canfield Art Park): $14,000
Denby Neighborhood Alliance (Skinner Park): $7,000
Bailey Park Project (Bailey Park): $10,000
360 Detroit (360 Park): $10,000
Heritage Works (North Corktown Hub): $2,000
Clark Park Coalition (Clark Park): $13,000
Aviation Sub Neighborhood Solutions (Harold Cross Park): $8,120
Friends of Rouge Park (Rouge Park): $5,380
Health & Fitness Programming Regrants
The Detroit Parks Coalition was awarded Healthy Community Zones funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. DPC has regranted $175,000 of their award to support summer parks programming focused on health, fitness, and nutrition. All events will be posted on DPC events calendar.
North Rosedale Park Civic Association (North Rosedale Park): $5,000
O’Hair Park Community Association (O’Hair Park) - $11,400
Sidewalk Detroit (Eliza Howell Park): $15,000
People for Palmer Park (Palmer Park) - $20,000
Busy Bee Here to Help (Glendfield-Lannett Park): $20,000
Sustainable Community Farms (Small Vill Learning Farms): $5,000
Chandler Park Conservancy (Chandler Park): $20,000
North End Youth Improvement Council (Delores Bennett Park): $20,000
Arboretum Detroit (Circle Forest) - $10,000
Woodbridge NDC (Scripps Park): $1,800
Cerca Trova Healing (Saint Hedwigs & Romanowski Parks): $16,000
Clark Park Coalition (Clark Park): $5,000
Detroit Enrichment Group (Boyer Park): $5,800
Friends of Rouge Park (Rouge Park): $20,000
Gilbert Family Foundation Organizational Capacity Regrants
In partnership with the Gilbert Family Foundation, DPC awarded $140,000 for park stewardship organizations to expand or support short-term organizational capacity needs, allowing for increased summer programming, maintenance, and park development.
O’Hair Park Community Association (O’Hair Park): $17,000
Marygrove Community Association (Huntington Community Bank): $15,000
Better Detroit Youth Moves (Jayne Park): $20,000
Jefferson Chalmers Riverfront Park Advocates (Maheras Gentry Park): $20,000
Denby Neighborhood Alliance (Skinner Park): $15,000
Sacred Spaces: $12,000
Gratiot Findlay Neighborhood Association (Findlay in Bloom): $7,760
Midtown Detroit, Inc (New Center Park): $20,000
Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (Springdale Green Lot): $6,000
Aviation Sub Neighborhood Solutions (Harold Cross Park): $7,240
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Regrants
To ensure that all can experience the social, economic, physical, and spiritual benefits of Detroit’s regional parks for decades to come, DPC has developed a regrant program for park organizations in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. In 2026, this fund awarded $200,000 for programming, park improvements, and capacity supports that will immediately and tangibly improve park experiences, while strengthening the stewardship organizations that lead these efforts.
• Chandler Park Conservancy (Chandler Park)
• Clark Park Coalition (Clark Park)
• Friends of Rouge Park (Rouge Park)
• O’Hair Park Community Association (O’Hair Park)
• People for Palmer Park (Palmer Park)
• Sidewalk Detroit (Eliza Howell Park)
Free Little Libraries & Born Learning Trails
With support from the Kresge Foundation, DPC and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan will install Free Little Libraries and/or Born Learning Trails in 13 parks citywide, allowing for increased literacy programming in Detroit’s city parks. Volunteers will come together to install the new amenities the week of June 21, as part of United Way’s Day of Action.
• Bristol Park
• Kelley Park
• Peterson Park
• Charleston Colton Park
• Rosberry & Promenade Park
• Higgins Park
• Charles Phelps Playground
• O’Hair Park
• Ella Fitzgerald Park
• Jayne Park
• Skinner Park
• Romanowski Park
• Rouge Park
ABOUT DETROIT PARKS COALITION
The Detroit Parks Coalition (DPC) is an alliance of organizations supporting healthy, equitable, and vibrant parks and public spaces. We are a diverse group of park leaders and community members who have come together to expand resources for Detroit parks. For more information, visit DetroitParksCoalition.com.
