Public Invited to Help Reshape Former Northville Psychiatric Hospital Site
NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN – The future of the former Northville Psychiatric Hospital site is in the hands of the public, as officials of Northville Township has extended an invitation for community input to transform the site into a recreational space – the Legacy Park.
The Site’s History
Northville Township acquired the Seven Mile Road property in 2009, six years post the closure of the Northville Regional Psychiatric Hospital. The site spanned half a square mile and included the 252,174-square-foot psychiatric hospital, 20 buildings, a water tower, a power plant, among other structures. Successful demolition efforts started in 2012, marking the end of the hospital’s nine-story structure in 2018, with the last remaining structures razed in 2022.
Plans for Legacy Park
The 350-acre site is being envisioned as Legacy Park, a tranquil and restorative space where the community can come together for peace and healing. Taking respectful cognizance of the site’s past, designated efforts are channelizing into turning the expanse into a recreational place. It promises benefits like mental and physical relaxation, exercise, and a chance to immerse oneself in nature.
Director of the Parks and Recreation, Derek Smith spoke of the park’s proposed plans which include 16 miles of trails for mountain bike races and a generous spread of wooded areas for nature walks. Stating that the park was a blank canvas, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to involve the residents in the design process. “And that’s where the goals come from,” Smith said. “Just being able to connect with those residents and provide them quality of life services for the long term.”
HD3: Bridging Public Participation
Meanwhile, to gain an understanding of what residents envision for the use of the new park, Northville Parks and Rec is hosting a series of public input sessions. These sessions are aimed to help address residents’ concerns, answer their questions, and solicit their thoughts and ideas. The first among these meetings is scheduled at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 16, at the Northville Township Hall Assembly Room, located at 44405 Six Mile Road, near Sheldon Road.
NNC4: As the planning phase picks up, the community’s curiosity rises, awaiting the transformation of the infamous psychiatric hospital into an accessible Legacy Park for relaxation and togetherness. With the public invited to contribute their ideas to the project, the Legacy Park stands as a token of community collaboration and shared visionary efforts.
