Emptying Pocket Parks In Detroit

Detroit is planning to sell off nearly 100 of its public parks to make way for redevelopment. The mostly small, pocket parks have been increasingly abandoned as their neighborhoods decline in population.

1 minute read

October 26, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg

"One-quarter of Detroit's 367 parks could be sold under a proposal designed to help the city shed dozens of its smallest and most worn-down parks in an effort to aid others and position the land for redevelopment."

"More than half of the 92 parks are less than an acre in size -- so-called pocket parks -- tucked in neighborhoods. Some have swing sets, jungle gyms, slides and benches. They make up 124 acres of the city's roughly 6,000 acres of parkland."

"Many of those neighborhoods are no longer dense in population and are dominated by urban prairies as the result of demolished homes, conditions Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's administration cites in its proposal."

"The plan to sell off city parkland has generated relief among some neighbors hoping to see the lots improve and anger among those who say the city is getting rid of precious assets."

FULL STORY: Detroit seeks to sell off 92 parks

Friday, October 26, 2007 in The Detroit Free Press

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