Knudsen Family Members Judith Christie & Karen Vanderkloot DiChiera Meet With 8MBA Executive Director Jordan Twardy At Knudsen Park

A transformation is well under way at a struggling yet symbolic Detroit park that is quickly becoming a revitalized playground for local children and residents. Knudsen Park, named after William S. Knudsen, is being rehabilitated thanks to a grant from Tom’s of Maine’s “50 States For Good” Program. 8MBA has brought together Tom’s of Maine and the City of Detroit Recreation Department to restore this small neighborhood park at the convergence of Eight Mile and I-75 to the neighborhood gem it once was. New playground equipment, an interactive human sundial, walking path, signage, fencing, picnic tables and a refurbished basketball court are all being installed as part of an effort to change perceptions of travelers as they enter the city limits.

Project Timing:

The project is set to occur in two phases, with new play equipment and basketball court improvements to be installed by Halloween 2014. The City of Detroit will follow suit with a $50K investment over the next several months, including a brand new fence, ADA-compliant pathway, official park sign and more.  Click here to view the site plan.

Get Involved:

Fueled by the Tom’s of Maine marketing team and 8MBA social media channels, word began to spread about the project, attracting the attention of the Knudsen family, whose relative, William S. Knudsen, is the park’s namesake, as well as hundreds of followers social media, including Detroit’s own Mike Posner. You can get involved too! Click here to learn more about the campaign and help us prioritize the amenities we’re bringing to Knudsen Park.

About William S. Knudsen:

The family of William S. Knudsen is very excited to have their namesake park returned to its original state as a wonderful urban space for local families. William Knudsen was an immigrant from Denmark who made his mark in the burgeoning auto industry in Detroit. His production genius led President Franklin Roosevelt to ask Knudsen to lead the war effort in terms of war materiel production for World War II. He was eventually commissioned as a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army, the only civilian ever to join the Army at such a high initial rank.  Learn more about William S. Knudsen by clicking here.