• Detroit City Council approved the renaming of the park in 2023, three years after Stoudamire became the first prominent Detroiter lost to Covid in March 2020.
  • The former Troester-Hayes Park now has a walking loop, playground, multi-sport court, picnic tables and more.
  • The City of Detroit contributed $150,000 to this park improvement project.
  • The City of Detroit was awarded an additional $250,000 from the Gilbert Family Foundation and $500,000 from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to complete renovations.

DETROIT—After a nearly $1 million improvement project, Stoudamire Park, previously known as Troester-Hayes is now open to the public. Initially, the park, located on the city’s east side in the Mapleridge neighborhood, had no amenities other than picnic tables. With the help of community partners like Gilbert Family Foundation and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the City of Detroit transformed this green space and added a walking loop, playground, multi-sport court, picnic tables, picnic shelter, fitness equipment, trees, swinging benches and a drinking fountain.

“I am more than pleased with the work that has been done. I’m excited to have a park that is modern and aesthetically pleasing to look at and play in,” said Michelle Goss, who lives in the Mapleridge Neighborhood. “I look forward to seeing children of all ages enjoying Stoudamire Park in the days to come.”

In March 2023, Detroit City Council approved the renaming of the park from Troester-Hayes to honor the life and legacy of community advocate, mentor and champion for Detroit, Marlowe Stoudamire. Stoudamire, who grew up playing at this same park, was one of the first Detroiters to die from COVID-19 in March 2020. After his death, family and community members created a petition to rename the park after Stoudamire. The petition had about 700 signatures.

“Our family is deeply humbled and honored that this park was renovated and renamed in honor of Marlowe, just blocks away from the home in which he grew up in,” said Valencia Stoudamire, Marlowe Stoudamire’s widow. “Marlowe had a heart for people, and we hope that this park will be a space for bringing family, friends and the community together.”

“It brought me so much peace to sit in the park for the very first time,” said Stoudamire’s mother, Wilma Stoudamire. “My son was so proud of where he came from, so naming his childhood park after him would have meant the world to Marlowe. I am grateful his legacy can live on in such a way.”

The City of Detroit contributed $150,000 to this park improvement project. To ensure park visitors know more about the community leader the park is named after, the City of Detroit added a memorial garden.

“Marlowe Stoudamire was an advocate for Detroit, he loved this city, the people and advocating for both,” said City of Detroit General Services Department Director Crystal Perkins. “It is only fitting that we honor him and help embark a lasting legacy in this city.”

The City of Detroit was awarded an additional $250,000 from Gilbert Family Foundation and $500,000 from Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

“Marlowe Stoudamire was a visionary leader who believed deeply in the potential of Detroiters and the power of community,” said JJ Velez, Director of Public Spaces, Gilbert Family Foundation. “It’s an honor to help transform the park where he once played into a vibrant, inclusive space that reflects his legacy. We’re proud to support projects like this that not only uplift neighborhoods but also preserve the stories and spirit of those who made Detroit what it is today.”

“Public spaces are dynamic community assets that change to meet residents’ evolving needs, if we listen. The transformation and renaming of Stoudamire Park are a prime example,” says Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan President and CEO Nicole Sherard-Freeman. “Today and into the future, children in this neighborhood will have a safe, accessible space for spending time outdoors – a fitting tribute to Marlowe Stoudamire’s tireless work to make the city he loved a better place. We’re proud to support this project, and you can expect us to continue investing in parks, trails and climate-smart infrastructure to improve environmental health and quality of life for all people in our region.”

About Gilbert Family Foundation

The Gilbert Family Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation founded by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert to accelerate a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and build economic opportunity and equity in the city of Detroit. The Gilbert Family Foundation supports groundbreaking, cutting-edge research in hopes of eradicating NF1, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves anywhere in the body. Additionally, the Foundation supports the economic stability and mobility of residents in Detroit by investing in wealth-building opportunities and breaking down systemic barriers.

For more information on the Gilbert Family Foundation, please visit gilbertfamilyfoundation.org.

About The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan was established in 1984 to ensure residents in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston and St. Clair counties can thrive. As a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations, the Community Foundation supports a variety of activities benefiting economic opportunity, health equity, youth and education, arts and culture, and the environment and public spaces. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to be among the top 35 community foundations in the country and has distributed more than $1.4 billion through roughly 91,000 grants to nonprofit organizations. The Community Foundation’s mission is to make southeast Michigan a desirable place to live, work and play for all residents, today and tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.cfsem.org.