SYLVESTER-SEYBURN PARK

Seyburn Park and the cleared Sylvester School site hold the potential to be a public space that anchors the neighborhoods west of Van Dyke. Currently a pastoral space with mowed lawns and mature trees, the park has little to draw residents into the park. Working with adjacent residents and block clubs, an appropriate mix and design of park amenities should be developed for the park. A perimeter walking path, fitness stations, and a playground received the most support during the project engagement and should be considered a phase 1 for new amenities. Additional ideas around sustainability were popular including community gardens to ensure food security and solar panels to provide low-cost, renewable energy to neighborhood residents received strong support.

Action Plan

1. Meet with surrounding block clubs to discuss plans for the park and build support. Develop community-led plan including walking path, playground, athletic field, and community and meadow garden locations.

2. Meet with City of Detroit General Services Department to discuss transfer of former Sylvester School site to City to create one consolidated park.

3. Assess City of Detroit General Services Department interest in park improvements. In collaboration with GSD, create budget for walking path and playground based on similar scale projects at other City parks.

4. Develop fundraising strategy including crowdsourcing platforms and philanthropic grants.

5. Work with neighborhood block clubs and non-profits to implement low-cost plan elements, including community gardens and low-maintenance meadow gardens.

Create food gardens to harvest and provide healthy public food source for neighborhood residents.

Develop solar field to provide self-sufficient, renewable source of energy to neighborhood residents and reduce

Create maintained fields for sports and recreation activities including soccer, baseball, and basketball.

Create large-scale stormwater feature, pond or lake, to prevent neighborhood flooding and provide beautiful natural amenity to park.

Build high-quality playscape for kids to have place to play within the neighborhood.