Roosevelt Park

A Glimpse into History

Found in southwest Detroit, Roosevelt Park is located in front of the historic Michigan Central Station on 15th Street. Born between 1919 and 1921 during Detroit's ambitious City Beautiful Movement, this park wasn't just any green space - it was designed to be the first impression for train travelers arriving in the city. It's pretty cool to think about all those visitors stepping off their trains and into this carefully planned landscape.

Before becoming a park, this area in what's now known as Corktown was home to a diverse mix of working-class families and Irish immigrants. Their neighborhood was cleared away to make room for this new vision, and in 1921, the park was dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt who had passed away just a couple years earlier.

Where Cultures Meet

Spanning 13 acres, Roosevelt Park does something special - it represents a living bridge between the Corktown and Mexicantown neighborhoods. Beyond just being a green space, it connects Detroit's cultural influences, with both Mexican and Irish immigrant heritage represented in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The park recently got a major facelift thanks to $6 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. What makes this renovation particularly meaningful is that it wasn't just designed by city planners - local residents from Corktown, Mexicantown, and Hubbard-Richard all contributed their ideas about what their shared space should become.

A Fresh New Look

July 2022 marked the beginning of the Roosevelt Park Improvement Project, with the renewed park opening its gates in June 2023. One of the biggest changes? The removal of West Vernor Highway that had sliced the park into separate chunks for decades. Now, instead of a four-lane road dividing the space, there's a wide, welcoming sidewalk connecting Michigan Avenue straight to the station's entrance.

The redesign embraced modern urban planning principles with enhanced walking paths, bike-friendly routes, designated event areas, and thoughtful landscaping that makes the whole space feel cohesive and inviting.

What You'll Find Today

Now, Roosevelt Park offers a peaceful retreat from city life - excellent for a casual stroll, a weekend picnic, or simply sitting with a good book. The grounds are kept in beautiful condition, with well-maintained lawns, mature shade trees, and seasonal flowers adding splashes of color all year long.

You'll discover plenty of comfortable benches for relaxing, picnic tables for outdoor meals, and swings that both kids and adults can enjoy. Dog owners, bring your furry friends (on leash, of course)! The park also features some modern conveniences that show thoughtful planning - phone charging stations and bike repair stations that are completely free to use.

During the year, the park transforms into a community gathering spot, hosting everything from cultural celebrations to concerts. You might even catch some local food trucks parked nearby during special events.

The Station Renaissance

Roosevelt Park has taken on new significance as part of Ford Motor Company's ambitious project to transform Michigan Central Station into a transportation innovation center. Many people now visit specifically to photograph the beautifully restored historic train station - a powerful symbol of Detroit's comeback story.

The park's redesign effectively balances historic preservation with contemporary needs, creating a space that connects to both Detroit's past and present.