A well-known park on Detroit's eastside has been given new life thanks to United Auto Workers union and Ford Motor Co. UAW-Ford has donated $1.8 million to help upgrade the park with new landscape, security, fields bleachers and scoreboard.
DETROIT, MI- A well-known park on Detroit's east side has been given new life thanks to United Auto Workers union and Ford Motor Co.
UAW-Ford has donated $1.8 million to help upgrade the park with new landscape, security, fields, bleachers and a scoreboard.
"We are thrilled to have been a part of the revitalization of Detroit's historic Balduck Park," said Bill Dirksen, Ford vice president of labor affairs. "Supporting communities through giving is a core principal at Ford Motor Co. because we understand that investing in our communities and our children means investing in the future."
An "Opening Day Ceremony" for the park – located corner of Chandler Park Dr. and Canyon St., before Moross Road – is scheduled from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday. The festivities will start with a parade, followed by an opening ceremony at 11 a.m.
UAW-Ford officials are expected to be joined by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit Police Chief James Craig and a handful of current and former Detroit Tigers players and Detroit Lions Running Back Joique Bell.
In addition to the physical renovations, UAW-Ford also contributed to help more than 1,000 underserved youth by providing the opportunity to participate in quality sports programming.
"On behalf of UAW-Ford, we feel that it is important for our youth to have clean, safe, well-organized and well-supervised sporting activities in their communities," said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles. "We are pleased that nearly 1,000 Detroit-area youth will enjoy Balduck Park now and in the future."
Michael Wayland covers the automotive industry for MLive. Email him at MWayland@mlive.com & follow him on Twitter @MikeWayland or Google+.