Preserve Our Parks (POP) was organized in 1996 by Hamtramck residents who were concerned about a city government plan to bulldoze Veterans' Memorial Park in order to build a police station there.

Veterans' Park is Hamtramck's largest park. It includes a veterans' memorial, tennis courts, a skating rink, a playground, baseball diamonds, walking paths, and a large passive recreation area. Generations of children grew up and learned sports at the Park.

For twenty-five years - due to a lack of will on the part of city government to maintain Veterans' Park - the Park fell into disrepair. The tennis courts and the skating rink were abandoned. The playground equipment was removed. The Park was overgrown with weeds.

In November 1996, POP members placed a citizens' referendum on the ballot which prevents the city from building on a park without a three-fifths vote. This referendum passed by a two-to-one margin, and established the Ordinance to Preserve Park Land in Hamtramck. This saved the park.

In 2002, we faced a similar challenge, and stopped the City's Financial Manager from paving Zussman Park. [ find out more ]

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Over the last seven years, POP volunteers have engaged in the difficult, but rewarding, work of bringing our City's parks back to life:

Fundraising - Since 1996, POP has raised $100,000 for projects at public parks. 95% of this money has come from individual and small business donations. We hold walk-a-thons, fundraisers and raffles, and pass the hat at our events. We have no paid staff, so 100% of the money we raise goes toward park improvements and programs.

General Maintenance - POP organizes regular clean-ups at Veterans' Park throughout the year. We pick up papers, pull weeds, prune trees, rake debris, and paint over graffiti. Hundreds of people volunteer for the clean-ups.

POP has also assisted with clean-ups at Pope Park and Zussman Park.

Skating Rink - In 1999, POP volunteers rebuilt the skating rink at Veterans' Park. In 2000, we worked with the Catholic Youth Organization and People's Community Services to start an in-line hockey league. That league continues today.

Tennis - By removing truckloads of weeds from the courts, we brought back tennis to Veteran's Park after a long absence. In 2002, we held our first Tennis Day.

Benches, Tables and Trash Cans - POP has installed benches and trash cans at Veteran's Park, and game tables, and planters at Pope Park. We raised $2,000 for the renovation of the historic mural at Pope Park.

Play Equipment - We cleared debris from the abandoned playground at Veterans' Park, and painted play equipment that had not been maintained for years. In addition, we installed $25,000 of new play equipment at the Park, including ten swings, four climbers, and a slide.

Beautification - POP members have planted two dozen new trees at Veterans' Park. Each summer, we plant flowers at Veterans', Pope, and Zussman Parks.

In the winter, we decorate the monument at Veterans' Park.

updated: 2-6-2003