City of Dearborn Recreation Master Plan

I’ve lived in Dearborn my entire life and my only complaint is Levagood pool. We have been going there for 10 years since we live down the block and this past year we stopped going. They have rules that you must shower before you enter the pool area. That only bathing suits are allowed on deck. I can understand these rules however they don’t apply to everyone. I have been told that I didn’t shower when I was wet. Because my hair wasn’t wet I didn’t shower. I go to the pool to let my kids swim, not for me. There is no reason I need to wet my hair to sit by a pool. Also I was told I couldn’t wear my coverup from the dressing room to the chair, it was a dress coverup and the girl didn’t feel it was the right material. As she was arguing with me a lady walked by completely dry (no shower) pushing a stroller and wearing shorts. Nothing was said to her. I’m a 40+ woman, I am not walking across the pool deck like she suggested in my bathing suit. We stopped going there and wasted $90 pool passes, we also won’t be back this year. What a shame.

Wow, the pool staff at the Ford Center pool are just the opposite. I’ve seen them eating/drinking and walking in street shoes themselves when they’re the ones who are supposed to enforce the rules. Of course, they say nothing when patrons fail to shower, walk in street shoes or push strollers into the pool area. With so many people crowded into a small area, sanitation should be a higher priority.

Maybe they should trade the staffs of Levagood and the Ford Center pools and then we will both be happy.

I find it VERY frutstrating that the hours available for babysitting services during the week at the Ford Rec Ctr do not allow for LAP SWIMMING. The lap pool is only open for senior swim during that time. I do not think that the entire pool needs to be closed off for the handful of seniors to use it. Why can’t two lanes still be open for lap swimming?

The biggest issues I ever run into at Camp Dearborn and the parks that can ruin my day is when the restrooms are a mess, nonfunctional or lacking the required paper products entirely. This is particularly difficult when you are accompanied by young children. It is such a basic and essential customer service issue that its importance really cannot be over estimated.

The City of Dearborn has 431.9 acres of public park-land within a total of 43 parks. None of these parks allow residents to walk their dogs on leash. The citizens of this town deserve to have parks where they can walk their dogs on leash. Dearborn touts itself as a family friendly city; it should also be a dog friendly city!

There is no reason why Dearborn taxpayers should have to drive to Hines Park to walk their dogs when there are 43 parks right here in Dearborn.

The Recreation Commission just recently changed the ordinance at Camp Dearborn to allow dogs into the Recreational Vehicle section of the park to bring in additional revenue for that section of the campground.

How is this wrong? Non-residents coming into the Recreational Vehicle section of the park can bring their dogs to Camp Dearborn, but residents are banned from bringing dogs into the rest of the park. So, all the Recreation Department cares about is revenue.

I am not a dog-owner, but would be happy with a separate area for dogs, or even a separate dog park for dog owners. My kids are not comfortable with dogs, but they do enjoy watching them from afar! And for a lot of people, their dogs are just like their kids.

I am a dog owner and would like to see an area in our parks that we can take our dogs. I heard the one in Hines is not taken care of very well so I wont go there. I checked Northville, Plymouth, Farmington. They have some nice facilities for the dogs but why should I drive somewhere else when I have a park down the street from me. I think we have enough park space to do a walk and play area, leashed and unleased. I would be willing to sign a waiver when entering the area that no one was liable.

Dearborn is a great place to live and recreate. The parks are for people and pools are for swimming. Problems occur when dogs defecate and people jump into pools with their clothes on. I tend to agree with the rules we now have. I like Dearborn the way it is. Follow the rules and BE HAPPY. The whole issue deals with sanitation and cleanliness.

I love the parks. Unfortunately, I do not feel comfortable at Levagood Park. I visited three times last year and have no plans to return. The park is a haven for smoking… and it should not be allowed in the parks.

Your yard is the place for your dog to run off leash. Most of our city parks are not large enough to have an area for dog walking/running. The exceptions being Ford Woods, Ford Field and Camp Dearborn.

The city parks/pools/Camp Dbn., unfortunately thru the years have gone down hill. I do not use the pools but know several people that do and I have heard the same complaint as Anonymous 1. I think it’s a bad call on the staff of these pools to enforce the shower rule on parents/grandparents bringing small children to the pool. The cost of the tags are out of line with the hours that the pools are available, The city needs to keep the pools open later. As for Camp Dearborn..the maintenance is poor.

What happened to the dog park that was going to be at Crowley Park?

I haven’t actually been there for a while, but I am very glad Levagood is available – both the pool and the park. I agree with the previous comment about later hours for the pools. I personally do not even get home until after 6 PM. Being able to swim until 8 PM or so during the week would be great. I live near Ford Field and feel very fortunate to have this lovely spot so near by.

I also live near Bryant Library. I know libraries are not under the Recreation Department, but they certainly play a vital role in the recreational activities of many Dearborn residents. Nothing I like better than picking my books and videos up at Bryant and heading over to Panera’s for a coffee to read by.

Dearborn certainly has its challenges as a city but I am proud that my city places quality of life as a high priority. We are not a wealthy suburb whose residents are able to join expensive country clubs or fitness centers, or fly off to Florida. The simple pleasures of going for a swim, playing a game of tennis, running or walking through a park are very important for a healthy and well balanced life and need to be supported by our taxes.

We are in desperate need of some kind of bathroom facility at the 2 softball diamonds at Ford Field. Ford Woods field #3 needs to be redone and new player’s benches put in. The same needs to be done on field #3 at Ten Eyck. We pay alot of money to play ball in the City of Dearborn. I know many families that have taken their children out of Dearborn to play in a better run organization. We are one of those families. Dearborn baseball/softball has plenty of money banked and can afford these improvements.

We need a dog park.

We do not need a dog park! Parks are for children, not dogs. We need to be level headed and not give our politicians any reason to close any of our current facilities!

I should be able to walk my leashed dog in any park I wish, so long as I have appropriate ‘clean up’ apparatus! Dearborn is the only city I know of where I cannot do so. This is frustrating as a resident.

Need to bring back summer baseball for the kids.

The Ford Community and Performing Arts center is WAY overpriced for children’s birthday parties. Parents should NOT be charged. Everyone I know goes to other cities because we can’t even afford to have the party at the center.

I am very impressed with Dearborn Public Schools. I have raised both my kids through your institution. I have one currently at Bryant and one a Senior at Dearborn High. They both are consistantly on the honor roll and I am very informed with the information transaction at there schools. Keep up the good work ! Thank you

Your survey needs some tweeking – you can only select one item on the choice of 1-11 for good to bad on the survey. It allows only one selection rather than a selection for each of the items. Otherwise, a great survey – I hope you get the word out to ensure that we continue with our terrific parks and rec programs.

Wow, all of the comments really hit the ballpark. I agree with everyone of them especially the comments about clothing being worn into the pool without showers. Mothers going to watch kids should be allowed in with swimwear coverups, but that is the only case where clothing should be worn in the pool area. Rules should apply to all Dearborn citizens and should be enforced. Dress for the occasion or don’t use the public pools – clothing in pools is unsanitary and unhealthy and doesn’t abide by the rules.

The poor condition of Martha Myrtle Playlot sends a negative message to potential home buyers with young children. The equipment is broken and unsafe. There is no signage. The bike rack isn’t on the edge of the park near the sidewalk.

We have had a trailer at Camp Dearborn in TV2 for 13 years. Since we have always had a dog, we find the “no dog” rule extremely frustrating. My husband and I find ourselves dividing our time out there so one of us can be home with our dog or putting him in a kennel which can be expensive. If we keep our dog on a leash and clean up after him, I see no reason why he has to stay home. We would be willing to sign something stating that we assume liability if he should bite someone, etc. We have several friends that will no longer camp in the new section because of the no dog policy.

To answer Donna H, the dog park that was being proposed for Crowley Park is not going to be. The city decided to donate the 1.6 acres of land instead to the Going Green Foundation for a community garden.

I went public skating at the DISC and i felt so comfortable. There were two rink attendants on skates and one at the door. They were inforcing all the rules. Only if every place in dearborn was like the DISC. It is VERY VERY clean and the staff is very friendly. I would recommend taking your family and extended family skating. It was a great experience. They even rent skates also.

Dogs should be allowed in parks as long as they are on leash and the owner has a pick up bag. this is the only city I know of that is unkind to dogs.

My tax dollars support the parks. Please explain to me why it is fair that I cannot enjoy the park with my dog provided I clean up his messes and keep him on a leash? My dog is my best friend and I want to do everything I can to keep him healthy and well socialized with people and other dogs. The park is an ideal place to walk a dog. The park is open and away from the crowded neighborhood with parked cars and traffic. The walking path is soft for my dog to walk on and the path is shaded in the summer and plowed in the winter. By denying me the right to walk my dog in the park, you are preventing me from taking care of my best friend the best way I can.

To Deb & Joseph, One other problem with dogs in the parks besides owners not cleaning up after them are the owners who allow their dogs to get too close to other park patrons. Not everyone has the same feelings towards dogs as their owners do. Some people are fearful of dogs or just want to enjoy the park without any interaction with pets at all. Keep your dog at least 3 feet away from other park users, 5 feet would be better. The asphalt paths are meant for people, walkers, joggers, roller skaters and bikers. Dogs could cause a safety issue; that is, collisions, falls.

I am extremely pleased that Dearborn does not allow dogs at their parks. I love dogs, but people DO NOT clean up after them (I know some do). The rules are there for a reason, and I am very glad about that.

Is it possible for Dearborn Hills Golf to offer Junior Golf Programs similar to Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti?

Could the City’s Summer Youth (ages 8 – 14) Tennis Program be offered earlier in the day or into the evening rather than at the current heat of the day schedule of 11:00 am – 12:30 pm?

Currently, more than 60% of Americans owns dogs and cities all across America are providing citizens with parks where they can keep their dog’s healthy. The city of Dearborn should enhance its image by becoming a dog friendly city.

To address those of you who are against allowing residents the right to walk their dogs on leash in the city’s parks, you should open your minds and your hearts to the needs of the citizens in this town that want to take good care of their beloved family members and keep them as healthy as possible.

Could the City of Dearborn, City of Dearborn Heights, and Wayne County work together to improve the sidewalk and surrounding area along Outer Drive to Hines Drive. It is a wonderful bike ride from Dearborn on Saturdays when Hines is closed to traffic yet the sidewalk is uneven and broken up especially as you near Hines – also strewn with litter and overall unsightly. It is a biking opportunity that should be well maintained and marketed as a benefit to living here.

I joined the Rec Center in early January and use it 5 times per week. I’m generally very satisfied with my overall experience. Good value. Staff is friendly and coverage is generally good despite the challenging financial times. I see staff challenging the age of young students using fitness equipment. Two things I’ve observed in the pool area: first, there are several dozen white, rectangular panels hanging from the ceiling — some by only one attachment. Not sure how much each panel weighs, but I wonder what would happen if the second attachment were to fail. Second, I sometimes notice 1-2 adults “slow walking” in the big wading pool (I forget what it’s actually called) even though there are “pool closed” signs posted and no life guards are on duty (other than at the lap pool). Maybe someone is watching from the office with the one-way glass; I can’t tell.

We agree about the pool ceiling hanging panels as have also been concerned about them dangling over our children in the pool.

My take on the rec center is that the 30 minute rule is not inforced. I have seen women standing on machines talking to someone next to them without even working out. This seems most prevalent in the mornings. My suggestion would be to take the conversation to the track upstairs and leave the equipment open for those of us who want to work out but cannot get a machine!
Thanks!

I agree – there should also be a “take a number” ticket machine like at Westborn Deli Counter so that the correct person waiting gets the next available machine. One day a patiently waiting senior citizen who was clearly next was “beaten” to a machine by a faster moving agressive 30 something disrespectful person.

The Supervised Summer Playground Program is wonderful! However, could the same number of trained playground directors be hired but instead have two directors at half as many parks. There are often groups of middle school aged boys that bike between parks just to stir up trouble. They prey on the fact the director is sometimes the only adult present and return most often to the most timid director’s park. If the directors were paired up they would have more authority and also offer more variety to the various children – one director doing games and crafts and the other sports. Also if the directors could rotate to different parks and with a different co-director each week throughout the summer it would create muct more interest and fun for the children and really the directors too.

How about having more garbage cans at the the parks? Or, at least more regular clean up by city employees. I live near a park and often find myself and my kids being the ones to clean up after kids and probably adults as well who throw their trash around on the ground. I wish everyone had as much pride in their city and concern for our environment as my family and I do. That is not the case apparently. However, maybe habitual litterers will be more apt to throw their trash in a can if they don’t have to walk 100yds to get to one.

Also how about motion detecting lights in the bathrooms of city facilities and hand dryers instead of paper towels. Both seem to be no-brainers in today’s energy saving, resource conserving atmosphere.

How about converting the Hubbard Ballroom into a roller skating rink or a indoor skateboarding area?

Erich F….YES, more garbage cans and lessons on how to deposit trash into them!
How about fines to those who litter!?

hello, my kids and I love to play tennis (all year round) it would be wonderful if the ford community & performing art center could add indoor tennis courts to their facility. thank you