Hamtramck Parks Conservancy

10/08/2026

Last week, Horizon High School’s Communications Arts class visited Veterans Park. Throughout the summer, they have been promoting the value of parks and green space by planting, stewarding, learning, and exploring other gardens throughout the city. During their visit, we took a pause to observe life in the pollinator garden with some plein air sketching and watercolor. Students interviewed and recorded HPC staff as part of their larger series— practicing important storytelling skills.

Thanks again to volunteers for tending and giving plants, to the Carhartt Workshop for our beautiful bee hotel, to Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge for native Michigan pollinator plugs, and all the environmental educators who teach us about the value of these spaces.

10/06/2026

Some community announcements 📢📢

HOXIE TENNIS COURTS- Courts can be reserved for free online at https://hamtramckparks.com/facility-rental/ or by phone via text/call at (313) 355-0310. Note that the website and fee schedule do not yet reflect the waived court rental fee. Courts are locked outside of reservations, USTA lessons, and HHS tennis use, due to misuse and vandalism.

FITNESS COURT- Attention, anyone who is looking to try a new environment for a good workout! A National Fitness Campaign fitness court is coming to our community, and will be free to use for anyone 14 and older. The fitness court is a two-section, outdoor workout amenity. One half is designed with seven stations or structures that can be used to support a variety of exercises and strength training, and the other half is a flat surface ideal for group aerobics or stretching.

The fitness court is located in the back corner of Playfair Park, next to Keyworth Stadium, and will be formally unveiled on October 21. The artist responsible for the very special Hamtramck-centric digital mural on the long wall of the fitness court will be announced at this time. Construction is slated for completion in the next week.

This project is sponsored by the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy in collaboration with the National Fitness Campaign, Priority Health, Wayne County, Michigan, and the Hamtramck Public Schools.

10/02/2026

Some pictures from What's the Buzz? last week. Thank you so much to our panelists- Joseph, Momcat, and Stefanie- for teaching and inspiring us about the pollinators and invertebrates around us!

If you weren't able to make the event, find out how you can support pollinators at The Xerces Society's website, attend a Detroit-area workshop with Momcat Kelly through Wild Ones Wayne County Michigan Chapter, explore the pollinator garden at Veterans Park empty-handed or with your iNaturalist.org app, or check out Joseph's macrophotography at the Belle Isle Nature Center (longterm installation) or at his open studio at The Pioneer Building this weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=HamtramckParksConservancy&set=a.122239181540293938

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

HPC has been working behind the scenes with HHS student Nabiha and HHS teacher sponsor Mrs. Madden of Ham High Adventure to support Girls on Bikes! Nabiha applied for our Parks Programming/Event Stipend to bring a bike instruction to new riders in her community, specifically girls.

Girls on Bikes is open to girls ages 14-18. Registration is free, but limited to 20 spaces. The event provides free bike rental, helmets if needed, and other gift bike accessories. Luki Bike Adventures will be on-site to lead riding instruction, as well as an introduction to bike safety and basic bike maintenance/care.

Link to registration here, as well in our LinkTree: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Huwxv3W6zx

📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 11am-1pm
📍Veterans Park East Parking Lot (will be blocked off to car traffic)

09/21/2026

HPC is supporting members of the Hamtramck Youth Advisory Council to bring Free Tennis Rental to the Hoxie Courts at Veterans Park! For the remainder of the Hamtramck High School outdoor Boys Tennis season, we are piloting this program on Tuesday evenings from 5-7pm.

Find volunteers with the black cart at the courts on Tuesdays: 9/22, 9/29, 10/6

Open to the public, ages 10+, who agree to use equipment responsibly and return it after use. Bring a friend or find a partner here to play with and practice tennis.

Those interested in volunteering to cover paired shifts for the rental cart, please sign up at the SignUp Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AABA728ABFBC61-66049775-volunteer #/

Equipment provided by Leveling the Playing Field, Inc.- Thank you!!

Image ID: Two image carousel. 1) Close-up image of the blue and green Hoxie Courts at Veterans Park overlain with yellow text. 2) Closeup of the green portion of the Hoxie Courts with a ball on the right side, overlain by images of of HPC and YAC members getting free equipment from LPF.