On November 6, 1980, the City held the official dedication ceremony was held for the new Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park built to commemorate Dr. King as one of America’s most prominent Civil Rights leaders and honor his influence on the Nation, specifically in Detroit. Located at the intersection of West Grand Blvd. and Rosa Parks Blvd, the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony was Mrs. Rosa Parks herself. 

In 1981, the City installed a memorial bust of the likeness of Dr. King that still sits in the existing MLK Park today. However, the state of the plaza and surrounding space have not seen significant improvements in the last several decades. 

The City of Detroit, with funding awarded from the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”), will now begin an initiative pursuant to the development of a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park befitting of the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Detroit Parks and Recreation