Find your way to this park!
Mariner Park
Located at 14702 Riverside Blvd. is Mariner Park, a small green space which features a football/soccer area, playground, and fishing dock. Wednesday was a beautiful day to be by the water and enjoy the nice breeze. Families were out BBQing, fishing, and watching the many sailboats pass along the Detroit River.
Here I met James and Richard, two fishermen who have been fishing on the Detroit River since they were teenagers. James, now 60, recalls how fishing and getting to nature has helped him cope with stressful times in his life.
“Being out here is twofold. One, it allows us to catch fish for food, but it also allows us to meet in public in a relaxed atmosphere,” he told me. “As black men, this is important because there is so much that stresses us out these days, It’s important to have time to relax.”
Following the pandemic, studies show the importance of having access to green areas and recreation spaces positively affects mental health. In urban areas, it’s often difficult for people of color to have access to these spaces. Mariners Park is one place where these Blac men can feel comfortable and at one with nature.
The Parks Report is part of a Planet Detroit series that focuses on a new Detroit park each week. Follow Zaire’s journey on Instagram @planetdetroitnews for more!