DETROIT — UAW-Ford will host a special Opening Day celebration to show off the newly remodeled Balduck Park on Saturday.
A parade will begin the festivities at 9:30 a.m. followed by the official ceremony at 11 a.m. The ceremony will include Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, UAW-Ford Vice President James Settles, Detroit Police Chief James Craig and Ford Motor Co. vice president of labor affairs Bill Dirksen. Several former and current Detroit Tigers also are expected to attend, including Willie Horton, Torii Hunter, Austin Jackson, and Rajai Davis. Additionally, Detroit Lions running back and Wayne State University alum Joique Bell will be on site.
The restoration of the park was made possible through a $1.8 million donation from UAW-Ford. In addition to helping create a clean, safe and completely refurbished environment for residents of Detroit’s East English Village community, the renovations included bleachers, an updated scoreboard, beautiful landscaping and brand new restrooms.
“UAW-Ford believes in giving back to the communities in which we work,” Settles said. “On behalf of UAW-Ford, we feel that it is important for our youth to have clean, safe, well organized and well supervised sporting activities in their immediate communities. We are pleased that nearly 1,000 Detroit-area youths will enjoy Balduck Park now and the years to come.”
