05/01/2026
Hey y’all!! Here are some fun facts about our beloved adopted Dorais park aka Derby Hill 🥴
📚Here are the basics…
The park is officially called Dorais Park, located on Detroit’s northeast side near Mound Road and Outer Drive.
It spans about 28.5 acres and is part of Detroit’s public parks system.
Locally, many residents still call it “Derby Hill”—a nickname that’s stuck across generations.
🛷 Why it’s called “Derby Hill”
The park has one of the few natural hills in Detroit, which is a big deal because the city is mostly flat.
That hill was historically used for soapbox derby races, which is where the name “Derby Hill” comes from.
It’s also been a long-time spot for sledding in the winter, with generations of kids using it for that purpose.
🚴 Unique historical feature
The park contains the Dorais Velodrome, a rare outdoor bicycle racing track.
It was built in 1969 and hosted races and training, even producing high-level cyclists.
The track eventually fell into disrepair and is now abandoned but still physically present in the park.
🏙️ Historical context
The park’s development and decline are tied to Detroit’s broader history, especially around the 1967 Detroit riots, which impacted the surrounding neighborhood.
At one point, the area around the park became heavily disinvested, which contributed to the park’s deterioration over time.
🔧 Current & future
Derby Hill is now actively being planned for redevelopment, with community input shaping improvements.
Funding (including ARPA support) is being used to revitalize the space, with construction phases beginning around 2026.
