Parks project continues

A new picnic/eating area is being created in Veterans Park, next to Yemen Cafe.

By Charles Sercombe
Veterans Park continues to look better every day.
Can you imagine enjoying a nice lunch in the park, right next to Yemen Café?
Well, imagine it or not, it’s coming.
This, and other, upgrades to the park are underway. We’ll let the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy explain:
“We’re excited to share that the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy and Yemen Cafè have teamed up to create a new outdoor patio space that’s going to be a fantastic spot for both visitors to Veterans Park and cafe goers.
“Thanks to a partnership between the City of Hamtramck, the Parks Conservancy, and Yemen Cafe, we’re bringing this vision to life (through) design, funding, and plans for future upkeep. The project features two cozy concrete patios with seating, string lights for ambience, lovely walkways, and plenty of greenery, including flowering trees, perennials, and evergreen shrubs.
“You’ll find this new patio on the west side of Veterans Park, just south of Yemen Cafe and north of the sidewalk by the Veterans Memorial.
“Construction kicked off this week, starting with selective tree removal, soil sampling, and grading. We’re aiming to have the patio ready by mid-December, with an opening planned for spring!
“This patio is just one part of our efforts to enhance the park. We hope it becomes a go-to spot for relaxation and socializing, where parents can keep an eye on their kids at Zatkoff Playground while enjoying a meal from Yemen Cafe. Stay tuned for more updates!
“This month, the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy funded maintenance to the Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park. Work completed included replacing joints on the stone platform, power washing and removing staining on the horizontal and vertical surfaces, and replacing a damaged portion of the gate and fencing.
“These repairs and (this) maintenance will not only improve the (memorial’s) appearance in the short term, but will contribute to the longevity of the memorial as well.
“The Hamtramck Veterans Memorial was erected in 1953 as a tribute to those who served and died in World War II and the Korean (and) Vietnam Conflict(s).”
The Parks Conservancy also has completed, or is working on, other projects as well: Back in spring, the Conservancy unveiled a huge new playscape. Within the next year, there will be restrooms installed next to the historic baseball stadium.
Posted Nov. 8, 2024