Fitzpatrick Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fitzpatrick Park is a popular destination in Michigan that offers a range of activities for visitors of all ages.


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Summary

Situated in the heart of Detroit, the park is easily accessible and boasts a number of unique features that make it stand out among other parks in the state. Here are some good reasons to visit and things to do at Fitzpatrick Park:

1. Playgrounds and splash pad: Fitzpatrick Park has two playgrounds and a splash pad that offer hours of fun for kids. The playgrounds are equipped with slides, swings, and climbing structures, while the splash pad is perfect for cooling off on hot summer days.

2. Trails and greenspace: The park is home to several walking trails and large greenspaces where visitors can enjoy a picnic or play frisbee. The trails wind through the park's wooded areas and offer a peaceful respite from the city.

3. Sports fields: Fitzpatrick Park has several sports fields, including baseball and soccer fields, as well as a basketball court. These are great places to get some exercise or watch a game.

4. Community events: The park hosts a number of community events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and movie nights. These events are a great way to connect with neighbors and enjoy the park's many amenities.

Interesting facts about Fitzpatrick Park:

- The park is named after John Fitzpatrick, a prominent Detroit businessman and philanthropist who donated the land for the park in the early 20th century.
- In the 1960s, Fitzpatrick Park was a gathering place for civil rights activists who held protests and rallies there.
- The park was renovated in the early 2000s with funding from the city of Detroit and a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Best time of year to visit:

The best time to visit Fitzpatrick Park is in the summer, when the weather is warm and the splash pad and sports fields are in use. However, the park is open year-round and offers a range of activities for visitors in all seasons.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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