A Lasting Tribute: Detroit Park Renamed for Community Advocate Marlowe Stoudamire

One of the most heartwarming articles I’ve seen while scrolling Linkedin is an announcement shared by The City of Detroit, Chief Storyteller Eric Thomas: that Troester-Hayes Park has been renamed in honor to late community advocate Marlowe Stoudamire.

I would bump into Marlowe often, especially at TechTown. He had the kind of energy that you just felt. A genuine smile from a man who genuinely made an impact on his community and the world around him. While I didn’t know him well, I certainly knew of his work.

Mash Detroit on Detroit’s Eastside, Roster Detroit, the award winning Detroit 67 project at the Detroit Historical Museum, “Learn, Play, Score,” with the Detroit Red Wings, his legacy carries on.

Marlowe worked tirelessly to move forward the city that he loved.

He was a good man, doing good things, gone too soon. Even now I don’t have the right words. So I’ll let Marlowe’s brother, Ricardo Marble, say it:

“Marlowe was a tireless advocate for the City of Detroit, sharing his love for this city everywhere he went,” explained Stoudamire’s brother, Ricardo Marble. 

“Marlowe once said Detroit is the most authentic city in the country, and he would challenge anyone who thought otherwise,” explained Marble. “To name a park after him would ensure that his legacy will continue and show everyone that grew up in the 48205 zip code as we did, that you matter and you can make a difference like my baby brother did.”

Sharing his love for the Motor City while keeping his legacy alive, officials, community leaders, and nearly 700 neighbors worked to secure the renaming of Troester-Hayes Park to “Marlowe Stoudamire Park.” It’s the park where he and his siblings grew up playing, blocks from their childhood home.

What a great way to honor an even greater man. You are missed Marlowe.

About the Park

Stoudamire Park

A 1-acre park at Troester and Hayes streets, in northeast Detroit’s Mapleridge neighborhood, the park currently has picnic tables and benches but no other recreational amenities.  The City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Division (DPRD) recently received funding for improvements at this Park.  This season DPRD will be conducting community engagement to hear what amenities would best serve local residents and families. After community engagement the project will be finalized for construction in 2023 and 2024.

Park Re-Naming

City Council recently approved the renaming of this park from Troester-Hayes to Marlowe Stoudamire, in honor of a community leader who grew up a few blocks from the park, who worked and advocated for increased opportunities and improved quality of life for Detroiters.  Read more about the renaming:  The City of Detroit announces renaming of Troester-Hayes Park in honor of late community advocate Marlowe Stoudamire