Grand Circus Park

Alex McKinzie
Honors 1000
Section 503
Kevin Ball

Alex McKinzie

Grand Circus Park is the location our group chose to represent Detroit for who we are. I
agree with the choice our group made to show who we are because it shows a city that is
withstanding time as is the park. The park is not as glorified as it used to be. Upon visiting the
site, it seemed abandoned almost. It shows that cities, such as Detroit, can go through so much
turmoil but still survive, exactly like what Grand Circus Park has done. Having grown up in a
rural area, it was easy for me to take for granted all of the open spaces and forests surrounding
my home. The people of Detroit do not have that; the small parks that are within the citys
borders are the only places for people to appreciate nature and let their children play in the grass.
It is immensely important for the parks to remain standing.
Our group chose Grand Circus Park based on the name. It sounds so vibrant and lively.
Both of which we found out were not true upon visiting the park. I had anticipated a large park,
with huge trees and tons of people, much like you see in the movies. Neither of these were at
Grand Circus Park but I still believe it is a staple of who we are. Grand Circus Park was
constructed after the fire of 1805 which happened on June 11, 1805. The fire reduced the entire
city to nothing else one stone fort and the chimneys on houses. Fortunately, nobody died during
the great event. Grand Circus Park was a part of the reconstruction of Detroit. Since it was built
in 1850, it has withstood time and all of the detrimental effects on the city.
Grand Circus Park has withstood time. Grand Circus Park could be considered a classic
based on the fact that it has withstood time so well, unlike other buildings surrounding it. The
park is now 164 years old. It is not in the same condition as when it was first built, but compared
to how some other buildings are surviving time, Grand Circus Park is an icon for classics. Detroit
is deteriorating around it, but it continues to thrive through the depression. One of the newer

Alex McKinzie

additions to the park is the Millennium Bell, which was dedicated on December 31, 1999. It was
put in to ring in the new millennium. (Kage)
Detroit is the picture perfect idea of a city that is going through a hard time considering it
is going through bankruptcy right now. I noticed when we went to the park there it was not as
spectacular as the name made it out to be. There were a few people dispersed here and there
sitting on benches, one of the fountains was not running and there were homeless people strewn
about. Had there not been one working fountain and security guards there, it could have been
mistaken for abandoned park. The brick under foot was in good condition considering its age and
the statues on the edges facing each other had a little wear. In a way, this park parallels what the
city is going through. Detroit is going through turmoil right now as is the park. The broken
fountains seem like the abandoned buildings, there are homeless people setting up their life on
the edges of the park and empty tables representing failing businesses scattered about the once
lively park, known as Detroit. It reminds me of all of the abandoned buildings you see driving
through the city and all of the homeless people carrying their entire lives with them. Determined
in 2013, Grand Circus parks funding was cut back, along with countless other parks.
Thankfully, it was not one of 51 parks that were shut down due to lack of funding so that Belle
Isle would remain with Detroit.
The park as a whole is a half circle, which seemed like an odd shape for a park in the
middle of the city. It turns out that the park was never officially finished based off of
Woodwards original plan for the city. The plan included a full circle for Grand Circus Park. Full
circle in Latin is Circus, from where the name Grand Circus Park derived.
I do believe that Grand Circus Park represents who we are as Detroit. It could be argued
that since the Park has lost its dazzle from when it was first built, that it is not a good

Alex McKinzie

representation anymore. But seeing what Detroit is going through, I think it is a great
representation. The park is still standing, as is the city, even though both are going through a
rough time.

Alex McKinzie

Brennecke, Caitlin. "Encyclopedia of Detroit." Grand Circus Park Historic District. Detroit
Historical Society, 2014. Web. 28 Sept. 2014.
Helms, Matt. "A List of the Parks to Close or Receive Less Maintenance." Detroit Free Press.
Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Sept. 2014.
Kage. "The Post: Big Bong! Millennium Bell Ringing Is a Young Detroit Tradition." The Detroit
Times. Detroit Landmarks, 10 Dec. 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2014.