Construction set to commence at Martin Road Park!

April 21, 2026

Next week, the City will begin construction of the Martin Road Park Service Building, a 100% grant funded facility that will add new restrooms, a concession stand, a park office, and an outdoor park patio in support of the park’s amenities and visiting community.

Construction and Park Impact

Site work and project mobilization will begin on Monday, April 27, 2026. Building construction is expected to begin in mid-to-late May, and the project is expected to last until October 2026.

Park amenities, including the park’s playground, splash pad, park pavilions, ballfields, and open field space, will remain open and available throughout the duration of the construction period.

Park and Pavilion rentals will also continue during this period, but no rentals for Martin Road Pavilion #1 (the larger one) will be accepted for a period from April 27 to June 1, 2026.

With the park’s restroom set to be demolished as part of this project, the City has placed portable restroom equipment near the site of the splash pad and playground. Equipment in the area will include three standard portable toilets, one ADA compliant portable toilet, and a large double-sided portable sink. These temporary placements will not include changing tables, so the City encourages park visitors to plan ahead. The park’s walking path will be diverted near the construction area for a brief period from May 1 to May 5, 2026.

The City has awarded construction work for this project to DMC Consultants, Inc. (DMC), with whom the City previously contracted to complete construction of the pickleball courts, basketball court, new pavilion, and water fountain at Martin Road Park in 2024. Per City ordinance, DMC will conduct work on a regular schedule from 7:00am to 7:00pm, Monday to Saturday. Any work outside of these hours would require the approval of City Council and will be communicated via the Parks Planning page on the City website and the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.

Construction is being carried out with an emphasis on safety, sustainability, and minimal disruption to park amenities and the surrounding neighborhood. Construction vehicles will not block or obstruct resident driveways in the area and will afford enough space for residents to enter and exit their driveways in their vehicles. Architect firm Neumann Smith will serve as the project manager overseeing all construction efforts.

Project Details and Anticipated Use

The completed facility will include three restrooms (men’s, women’s, and family), a concession stand, outdoor patio seating, a park office, and storage space. It will be used to support activity at the building’s surrounding amenities, expand available storage, and improve the overall park experience for visitors.

The new restrooms in this facility are required in order to maintain operational capacity at the park’s splash pad, per regulations by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The splash pad currently holds a maximum capacity of 50 with the implementation of portable toilets for the season. These new restrooms will allow that maximum capacity to increase to 200.

The new concession stand will offer various food and beverage options for park visitors, and the new outdoor patio seating will provide an appealing area for dining and socializing. The facility will house an Equipment Lending program for park visitors to purchase or borrow various park equipment, including pickleball paddles, pickleballs, basketballs, roller skates, aquatic equipment/apparel, towels, and sleds. The facility will also improve overall safety with the addition of security cameras, new park lighting, and a staff office for active park operational oversight.

The additional storage provided by this facility will be used to house splash pad equipment, concession stock, lending program items, and park rental storage.

Project Funding and Approval

The current base budget for this project is $1,734,959.35 with some expected variance as construction progresses. The project is completely grant funded, the City having secured more than $2.1 million in funding through grants offered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources SPARK Grant ($951,370.00), the Michigan Enhancement Grant ($500,000.00), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development by way of its Community Project Funding Grant ($704.669.00). The project’s impact to the General Fund is $0.00.

The project was approved in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan in January 2025, and City Council awarded its construction to DMC as the lowest bid on February 9, 2026. Prior to its approval, the Parks and Recreation Department engaged the community for its opinions, preferences, and overall support of the project through several community meetings, surveys, and public hearings

For FAQ on the Martin Rd Park Construction, click here or on the button below.

The Wilson Park Improvement Project is Complete!

We’re excited to announce that construction at Wilson Park has officially concluded and the park is open to the public with a host of new amenities and features designed to enhance accessibility, recreation, and enjoyment for all visitors.

Improvements include:

• A fully ADA-accessible walking path throughout the park
• Brand-new playground equipment with inclusive features
• A new pavilion
• Expanded and improved ADA parking
• New benches, picnic tables, drinking fountain, bike rack & repair station
• Upgraded trash and recycling bins
• Informational signage highlighting the park's features and improvements

We’re proud to share that over $400,000 in grant funding helped make this project a reality. We are grateful to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Oakland County Parks and Recreation, Gametime, the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, America in Bloom, and the American Academy of Dermatology for their generous support.

Special care was taken to preserve and highlight the park’s historic Ginkgo Tree, which now features new educational signage for visitors to enjoy.

We invite you to visit Wilson Park and explore the new features that make it more accessible, active, and inviting than ever before!