Adams Park
Update 09.23.22: We are thrilled to invite you to visit Adams Park, now open! Please keep in mind that although we have opened the park for play, we are still waiting on park features such as benches and litter/recycling receptacles, among other items. We have temporary litter containers in place in the meantime. Also, there will be no regularly scheduled activity on the new sod for the remainder of the year, as the sod is still being established. Please be mindful of this and stay off the new sod as much as possible. Watch for a ribbon cutting/opening celebration in late October, and enjoy the redeveloped Adams Park!
Update 8.31.22: We are in the home stretch on the Adams Park project! The park is closed but nearing completion and looking more beautiful each day. The fence will remain around the park for the next two-four weeks due to fresh sod throughout the park. Staying off the sod will help ensure a healthy, durable lawn upon completion of the park renovation project.
The grass roots of the lawn bond to the soil during the first weeks of growth, so in addition to a regular irrigation regimen, the protection of the lawn during this period is extremely important. Because the lawn requires a lot of water at first, the soil will retain a consistent level of moisture. This softer soil allows for exaggerated footprints and divots to be created by park users (people, dogs, balls, bikes) as well as lawnmowers, maintenance vehicles, and service equipment. When the soil hardens back up, these divots create trip and safety hazards for park users. This can be avoided by staying off the lawn while it is established. Thank you for helping us build a better park!
Update 8.16.2022: The play area is just about complete! Trees and landscaping going in, the rain garden is installed, and the frame of the pergola is up! Take a look at the photos to the right to see progress week by week!
Update 7.20.2022: Making a lot of progress at Adams Park! Concrete work has begun, the basketball court and track and field elements are shaping up, and the beautiful, stately centerpiece tree is in place (located in the central gathering area). See the Construction Photos on the right for more details and a bird's eye view!
Update 6.29.2022: Construction began as anticipated on June 13, 2022! So far, work has included the removal of all park items such as the playground equipment, bench and trash receptacle, fencing and the retaining wall along Adams Rd. A construction fence is now in place. Significant grading work is currently taking place, and some survey work has begun. Take a look at the Photos on the right to see some before pics and construction progress!
Construction to begin in June 2022!
Plans were recently finalized and construction is slated for this summer. The Adams Park Project was awarded to Michigan Recreational Construction (MRC) at the March 28th City Commission Meeting. MRC specializes in Commercial Park and Playground Construction. Enhancements include a significant play area, a garden seating plaza, beautiful landscaping improvements with many new trees, open grassy area that can be used for field sports. a basketball court and track and field elements. We are excited to begin! Thank you for your feedback and support!
Adams Park Page Updates:
- The Adams Park Page on Engage Birmingham had about 1,800 total visits!
- 1308 Participants visited Adams park project or tool page! (Dove in a bit further…)
- We heard form 72 Engaged Participants (Engaged means they left feedback in the guestbook)
- Adams Park guestbook live comment period closed on September 30, 2021
- We are thankful for great feedback!
Summary of the Feedback:
- Most frequent query: 30% regarding Roeper school and the City of Birmingham’s relationship
- Next most popular comment-playground details
- Splash Pad input-great suggestion, wrong park, but stay tuned for future opportunities at other City parks
- Super comments from you! Glad to hear all the interest in the playground features and in park amenities and placement in the concept design!
Timeline:
- Concept Plan to go before City Commission- November 8, 2021
- Proceed with Construction Drawings/Bid Specifications.
- Bidding Process to be over the winter months to prepare for a Summer 2022 Construction Project
- Requested proposals February 2022
- Awarded Project to Michigan Recreational Construction- March 28, 2022
- The Adams Park Project page on Engage will continue to be updated with new information. Check back soon!
Announcing the Adams Park 2021 Concept Plan! Funding is now available with voter approved Parks and Recreation Bond for Adams Park improvements! Michael J. Dul & Associates and City staff re-visited the 2016 Concept plan with neighborhood associations and Roeper School and now we'd like City-wide input. Please give us your feedback!
Thank you for commenting on the Adams Park 2021 Concept Plan! We are working hard to review all of the great feedback received. To sign up for notifications about this project and anything Parks and Recreation, visit http://www.bit.ly/bhamnews.
Background on Adams Park and Roeper School:
The City of Birmingham purchased this 1.46 acre green space from Roeper school in 2006 using bond proceeds from the 2001 Parks and Recreation Bond issue for park purposes. The purchase agreement provides that the park property be used for a public park. In addition, Roeper School is permitted to use the park during the school year for activities currently undertaken by the school on the grounds, at the time of purchase. The City works with the school on coordinating activities during the school year. Additionally, the agreement states that before park improvements are made to the park, the City will provide information about the park improvements to the school in order to secure the school's input.
Review the Concept Plan and Give Us Your Feedback!
The 2021 Adams Park Concept Plan is ready for review! Funding is now available thanks to the voter approved Parks and Recreation Bond! Michael J Dul & Associates together and in cooperation with City Staff, surrounding Neighborhood Association's, and Roeper School, revisited the 2016 plan and updated it with some modifications. Enhancements to Adams Park will include a significant play area, a garden seating plaza, beautiful landscaping improvements with lots of new trees, an open grassy area large enough for a soccer field, a basketball court, shot put, discus, and a long jump area. Take a closer look at the 2021 Adams Park Concept Plan and Renderings and let us know what you think!
Looks absolutely amazing! I live in triangle district and the one thing we feel like we are missing for our son is a close by park, this will fill that void. We are so excited for this! Thank you so much for doing this.
Yes!!!! Those of us in the Triangle District have been asking for a real park for years. As a soccer player, coach, and fan I like the idea of the fields, but agree with those who are saying it may be too small of an area to include a legit field. The important part of this concept is the play area, as that is much needed for our neighborhood. That should be given the most space and attention. Instead of the soccer field I would love to see a garden of some sort. But... regardless, I am sure you will do a great job. Thank you very much for making this happen Birmingham.
I seriously question why the City’s taxpayers are funding private school facilities like discuss and long jump areas that have never been part of any other city park? I’d favor splash pad consideration (like west Bloomfield’s); it’s warm-weather-only usefulness is what it is, but it’s hardly disqualifying and represents a use that is not otherwise provided in the city.
Adams Park has been neglected for far too long, and it is encouraging to see these plans that will be the road to improving it. However, the playscapes suggested in this plan fail to address the needs of ALL children: Adams Park should have playscapes that are universally accessible so that children of ALL abilities can use and enjoy the park.
I've already submitted some thoughts on this, but upon driving by the site, I feel that the location of the playground is disruptive to the homes on Ridgedale and the soccer field seems to be too tight in there. Discus and shotput are odd choices, and I'd worry about people getting hurt, as this space is not as big as it looks in this diagram.
Lovely park! I, personally, think the mid level bushes (or ornamental grass) and trellis between the play area and the soccer field could be improved on. The park appears to offer a number of areas for children to play. I see them as either limiting parents view or limiting where children play. I think opening it up would be better.
We are so thrilled to have this park being improved!
We would NOT be interested in a splash pad.
I echo the other requests for more athletic "ninja" style play equipment, rather than the typical slides/structure we see in Birmingham. I also echo the concerns about taxpayer dollars funding the Roeper students' play areas and the concerns about maintenance. The Roeper garbage cans are always overflowing. Will it be safe for kids to play with discus flying?
I always support maximum tree coverage to maintain the beauty of Birmingham. Think about including trees in the middle of the park, not just perimeter, for shade. Poppleton Park is a good example of this.
I just drove past the park and the renderings make it appear to be a much larger space than it is. I don't believe the soccer field will accomodate anything larger that a 7X7 game? My concern is the trees/benches on the east side of the soccer field. Seems dangerous to have trees planted so close to the sideline. Players are moving fast and the trees could be a potential hazard. If you have attended youth soccer games, parents typically bring their own chairs and sit on one sideline while the teams/coaches sit on the opposing sideline. There also needs to be rooms for the officials to run up and down the sideline. I think the benches would be better served being moved to the playground area.
I am also not a fan that Roeper will be utilzing the park. Their existing property does not appear well maintained. Please make sure there is sufficent trash/recycling recepticles and that they are maintained on a regular basis. The schools kids will eat lunch there and will not be returning to the school to dispose of their trash.
Love love the idea of finally improving the park. Living by Roeper I see the students using this area during the school day, not just at lunch/recess/etc.
They take over the swings meant for younger neighborhood kids. It’s intimidating for young preschoolers who want to use the playground alongside high schoolers. Not sure if this has been addressed, but it definitely should. Roeper students seem to have an open campus concept so many student groups congregate throughout the park, unsupervised.
Again, intimidating to young moms and preschoolers. Observing daily how Roeper has neglected to maintain their property (especially along Adams), I'm not sure how capable they will be to help oversee and maintain this improved park area.
Again, love the idea of this much needed neighborhood family park, but would love to hear if there are any restrictions applied to the usage of this expensive renovation by the Roeper student body.
It seems it definitely will be more of an advantage to Roeper (M-F, 8:00-4:00).
I’m very excited this park is getting a makeover. I didn’t even know it was a public park. I always thought the space belonged to Roeper. Is that the case? Will non-students be allowed in the park during school hours?
I see a lot of calls for a splash pad, but I absolutely vote NO splash pad. My family recently visited the brand new splash pad in Royal Oak - it was packed with people, the water pressure was off so half of it didn’t work, and we live in Michigan, so outside of three months it’s just a concrete waste of space. (Most splash pads turn off after Labor Day.)
I agree that a modern concept, like more athletic/climbable structures, like Sullivan Park in Beverly Hills or something like Innovation Hills in Rochester, would be preferable to the regular/boring plastic slides and structures you see at most parks in the area. I think you really have an opportunity to think outside of the box here.
I’m unsure about the space dedicated to track and field, discus, etc. Isn’t the soccer field a large enough space for school use? Roeper doesn’t have that large of a student body. There needs to be more seating and gathering space. At Booth park, it’s hit or miss to find a table, so many parents sit along the wall. Perhaps a walking or meditation path or flower garden would be a nice addition as well.
Really looking forward to hearing more information on this re: anticipated completion date, plans for the playground and how this will be utilized by public residents and private students.
During the spring, there is often water seeping from this property, long after other areas are dry.
The trees between the sidewalk and Ridgedale have never been healthy and most have died off, I believe because they are not suited for moist ground. I recommend taking this into consideration when the species are selected for the Ridgeway parkway.
Nice to see improvements to this space. I agree with giving consideration to including a splash pad here. From a city park and Birmingham resident perspective, I suspect this would be more in demand than shot put/long jump/discus area. As others mentioned, I am wondering if Birmingham residents will be able to utilize the space during school hours given the Roeper student presence.
The update looks nice.
However the playground is dated. Take a look at Innovation Hills playground in Rochester Hills.
We are missing in a splash pad. Take a look at Lily Pad Springs in West Bloomfield.
With high tax dollars in Birmingham, this is not impressive.
I’m glad to see all the trees and benches. Will any of the play equipment be adaptive / special needs? The adaptive swings at parks seem popular.
Plan looks good! Love the variety of areas for different sports and play. This park desperately needs an overhaul. Please include park benches, picnic tables and lots of deciduous trees that will grow large and provide shade!
Adding a splash pad to this would be a great idea since we do not have any in Birmingham!
The park and the play structures look great. I live nearby and my children even 30 years ago enjoyed going to that park to play soccer or basketball. I'm glad to see it's being improved. We are lucky to live in a city that cares about improving and updating the local parks.
Thank you for moving this wonderful plan forward - much appreciated! Michigan weather varies greatly, be sure to include both natural tree shade and full sun areas for play structures (not just perimeter). Agree with the recommendation to use a more attractive fencing option other than chain link. Good luck with the project!!
Beautiful, well organized concept. Long overdue. Please consider natural playground design rather than the brightly colored manufactured equipment ordered out of a catalog.
https://www.screenfreeparenting.com/these-photos-explain-why-people-in-london-spend-more-time-at-more-natural-playgrounds/
Why is our tax money being used to provide playing fields for Roeper? I really don't think the average resident will be utilizing the shot put, but clearly Roeper would for track & field events. This seems tailored to the school, not residents.