Chandler Park Conservancy

The mission of the Chandler Park Conservancy is to develop exceptional educational, recreational and conservation opportunities at Chandler Park for youth, and people of all ages. The vision of the Conservancy is a revitalized Chandler Park, which is one of only four 200-plus acre “regional parks” in the City of Detroit. The Conservancy is working to develop a multi-facility “urban conservation campus,” the only one of its kind in the state of Michigan.  The Conservancy partners with the City of Detroit and Wayne County, serving as an advocate, fundraiser, construction and project manager, promoter, and program coordinator.  The Conservancy works with the City of Detroit Recreation Department to provide design planning, construction, and park programming.

Since the Conservancy's work, more people are discovering Chandler Park and are impressed with the improvements. The first phase of our much-anticipated wetlands project is complete and the transformation of Chandler Park becoming an “urban conservation campus has begun. We have installed a Fitness Zone/outdoor exercise equipment. This will help to support our healthy lifestyle initiative which is one of the cornerstones of the park. The City of Detroit has invested in six new youth soccer fields and a walking path that runs through the entire park. 

Some of our other accomplishments include:

• Renovation of two youth T-ball fields in partnership with Wayne County Parks and Recreation.
• Installation of new tennis courts in partnership with the Ralph and Mary Wilson Fund, which include courts for youth under six years old.
• Installation of a new skate park the feature youth skateboarding classes, supported by The Skatepark Project, Find Your Grind Foundation, Rocket Community Fund, Stellantis and the community.

• Completion of the first phase of a new artificial turf football/soccer/lacrosse facility, supported by UAW Chrysler Training Center, NFL LISC, U.S., and the Soccer Foundation
• Completion of the first phase of the Matilda Wilson Garden, funded by the Matilda Wilson Fund.
• Our Marshland for park beautification, recreation, education, and relaxation has been established. Funded by the Kresge Foundation, Erb Family Foundation and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
• Installation of a new basketball courts, funded Grant & Tamia Hill Foundation and FILA.
• Crime has been virtually eliminated inside the park because of creating positive park programming.

The Chandler Park Conservancy is working with great determination for our children and for our community.  While we want to educate our children so that they are equipped to learn, grow, and work in the larger world, we also want to create a neighborhood to which they are proud to return to, own a home and raise a family.  This, we believe, will inspire a whole new generation of proud, dedicated, and passionate residents on Detroit’s eastside.

More recreation amenities should materialize within a five-year period as funding is secured. The importance and uniqueness of resurrecting Chandler Parkas a recreation center and education campus cannot be underestimated.  The Conservancy and its partners have the capacity and experience to manage the numerous entities that have come together to make the vision for Chandler Park a reality for residents and visitors across the region.