JOY PARK PARKING LOT AND RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

Joy Park, a 20.6‑acre community park in Clinton Township, underwent a comprehensive modernization to upgrade aging amenities, reconstruct failing parking lots, resolve drainage issues, and build a new ADA‑accessible playground. The project focused on improving safety and circulation while incorporating green‑infrastructure strategies that reduced overall pavement by 28.4% and introduced bioswales, bioretention areas, stone shoulders, and naturalized landscape edges. Significant drainage upgrades were completed to support the new playground, addressing poor soils and longstanding stormwater challenges. Close coordination with Township DPW staff allowed portions of the work to be self‑performed, reducing overall project costs. A full stormwater “treatment train” was implemented to meet EGLE and MS4 pollutant‑reduction goals and ensure compliance with multiple grant‑funding requirements. The improvements greatly enhanced park accessibility, stormwater quality, and long‑term community use, with grants covering two‑thirds of total costs. Joy Park’s transformation earned the 2026 APWA Michigan Metro Branch Project of the Year Award in the $1M–$5M environment category.