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A. B. Ford Park and New Community Center

The 34-acre park on Detroit's east riverfront is bounded by the Scripps St. to the north, Lakewood St. to the east and Lenox St. to the west. The site has a unique history including two Nike Missile towers (de-activated in the 1960s). Today, the park is well used by residents, fisherman and visitors throughout the year. In 2020, the City of Detroit General Services Department (GSD) kicked off community engagement to improve A.B. Ford Park and design and build a new community center. Residents from Jefferson Chalmers, District 4 and across the city were asked to provide feedback that informed the design for the park and building. Residents have loved the Alfred B. Ford Park and the Lenox Center off the Detroit river in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood.  Now, they can enjoy the brand-new Community Center at AB Ford and renovated AB Ford Park.

The Community Center at A.B. Ford Park

The original building was a 5,600 -sq.-ft. facility completed in 1969 to serve residents with special needs. In 2013, the building closed due to a water main break. Through this project, a building assessment was completed. It was decided that a new facility would be constructed and open for the neighborhood residents to enjoy.

 

Recreation Programs at the Community Center

Recreation Membership

 

A valid membership is required to participate in all programs/classes/activities. Additional fees for certain programs/classes/activities may apply. See Community Pass for further membership and rental details. Membership not required for facility rental.

Community Center at A.B Ford Park Winter Schedule 2024

(January 16th - March 10th, 2024)

Schedule Subject to Change*

AB Ford Winter Schedule 2024

 

Center Supervisor: Marissa Earl

 

 

 

 

 

 

AB Ford Update Winter 2022

 

UPDATE as of 5/13/22:  The improvements to AB Ford Park are currently undergoing the competitive bidding process. Contracts are expected to be awarded by the end of Summer with Construction beginning in the Fall.  Work should be substantially completed by December 2023.   For more information, please contact Shamori Whitt at [email protected].

 

UPDATE as of 4/27/2022: Construction Activity at the New Community Center has picked up over the past few weeks. This work will be in progress over the course of the next year, anticipating completion in Summer 2023. Here is what to expect:

  • Lenox St. will be used as the construction route for trucks and equipment, but construction activity for this project will be limited to the park boundary
  • The Lenox St. entry to the park will remain closed for the duration of construction since it will be used for the construction entrance
  • Signage will be posted to direct visitors to use the Lakewood St. entrance
  • The west side of the park will remain fenced off for safety and security of the site
  • Crews typical work hours can span from 7am-7pm

If you have any questions or concerns during construction contact:

Arianna Zannetti

[email protected]

313-236-8805

About the Project

Alfred B. Ford Park and the Lenox Center are loved places by the Detroit river in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood.

In 2020 the City of Detroit - General Services Department (GSD), kicked-off community engagement to improve A.B. Ford Park and design and build a new community center. Residents from Jefferson Chalmers, District 4 and across the city were asked to provide feedback that informed the design for the park and building. 

A.B. Ford Park is a 34-acre park on Detroit's east riverfront bounded by the Scripps St. to the north, Lakewood St. to the east and Lenox St. to the west. The site has a unique history including two Nike Missile towers (de-activated in the 1960s). Today, the park is well used by residents, fisherman and visitors throughout the year.

The Lenox Center is a community center at A.B. Ford Park. The building is a 5,600 sq. ft. facility completed in 1969 to serve residents with special needs. In 2013, the building closed due to a water main break. Through this project, a building assessment was completed. Click the link below to download and read -


The building assessment uncovered that the building sits in the proposed FEMA floodplain and it no longer meets current building codes. Although the project began as a renovation to the Lenox Center, it was determined that a new building was best suited for recreation and community activities of today and the future. 

The architecture firm Inform Studio was selected to assist with the building design for the new community center, and Jefferson East Inc. assisted with community engagement. This project is funded by the Strategic Neighborhood Fund (SNF).

 

Community Engagement & Community Design Process

Engagement Process

Community Engagement
 

We kicked-off the project in May of 2020 (in the midst of a global pandemic) with a community wide survey. We received 172 responses with ideas for both the park and the Lenox Center. On June 30th we hosted the first virtual community meeting where we introduced the team. Every week between June 30th and December 8th we hosted virtual office hours to answer questions and share information as the project developed ( check out the Office Hours Report Outs). On August 5th, we shared the results of the survey and presented initial observations of the existing conditions of the park and center and during the August 19th office hours, we answer some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Check the links below for the presentations. 

On September 12th  2020, we hosted an in-person park event that asked residents for feedback on the building and park design, as well as priorities. The event was held at the park, following COVID precautions. The input collected during this event and the ongoing office hours shaped each of the designs. The rest of the fall and winter months were spent refining the design and documenting various community priorities. For more detailed information on each of the public events, please see the list below. 

For questions and/or information on the project, please contact Arianna Zannetti, Landscape Designer at [email protected] or by calling: 313-236-8805

    Community Meetings, Events and Presentations: 
     

     

    Office Hours Report Outs: