Ahee Jewelers Disc Golf Course at Ghesquiere Park

Major gifts from AHEE Jewelers, the Grosse Pointe Rotary, and Saucy’s Pizza, along with donations from disc golf enthusiasts in the area, have allowed us to fulfill the city’s request for a grant to install a 9-hole disc golf course in Ghesquiere Park. Disc golf can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities and has had a surge of popularity in recent years. With it’s grand opening on October 2nd, 2024, the course is a great addition to our community, offering another fun outdoor activity for individuals, families, and groups of friends. Easily accessible from the Jackson street entrance.

Equipment for the MACK aVENUE dOG pARK

The city requested a grant of $9500 from the Foundation for benches, a water fountain, a dog waste receptacle station, and play equipment for the Mack Avenue Dog Park. Generous sponsorships by AHEE Jewelers, the Rutkofske Family, Mayor Art and Lynne Bryant, the Mulder Family, and Donald Morrisett and Peter Caborn allowed all to be installed and ready for four-legged friends at the park’s grand opening on May 11, 2024. Special thanks also to Hollywood Feed for providing goodie bags for the event!

Phyllis A. Demars Tot Lot at chene-Trombley Park

In February 2022, the mayor and city council committed to a renovation of Chene-Trombley Park on Ridgemont Road, just west of Mack Avenue. The master plan for the project included a dinosaur-themed tot-lot, walking path, toilet facilities, picnic pavilion, attractive masonry entryway, and decorative fencing around the perimeter. To help cover costs, the city requested a grant from the Foundation for the Tot Lot area.

The City and Foundation were pleased to announce that the play area was to be named the Phyllis A. DeMars Tot Lot. & Swing Area Phyllis (Cracchiolo) DeMars was a resident and longtime teacher in Grosse Pointe with a particular devotion to children with special needs throughout her career. The generosity of the DeMars and Cracchiolo families, combined with donations from many individuals and local businesses, allowed for significant expansion of size and features. We presented the city with a total of $195,000 to cover the equipment and installation. There is rubber matting to accommodate wheeled vehicles, a swing set with a “friendship swing” to allow parents and children to ride together, a surface-level merry-go-round, and an accessible sand digger so all kids can search for “fossils” in the sandbox. The playground has been a busy popular neighborhood attraction since its grand opening in October 2023!

Mini Golf Course

In late 2015 the Grosse Pointe Woods City Council approved the Foundation’s concept of building a miniature golf course in Lake Front Park. The Foundation’s goal was a multi-season amenity for Grosse Pointe Woods residents and their guests of all ages and abilities. We looked to provide a new activity to be enjoyed together by families and friends. The design includes nine contiguous handicap-accessible holes, and has a nautical theme enhanced by a lighthouse, buoys, and scorecard stands resembling dock pilings. Landscaped gardens around the course perimeter were designed by Rachelle Koester, a GPW resident and master gardener, to be long-blooming and low-maintenance. The course is adjacent to the Activities building in Lake Front Park, providing restroom, snack and beverage machines, and a comfortable viewing area.

Installation of the course was made possible by the hundreds of donations received from individuals and businesses. We are very grateful to Kevin and Lee Ann Zmyslowski for their “Master’s” level sponsorship and the naming of the course in memory of their young grandson. Hole sponsors are A.H Peters Funeral Home, Peter & Lisa Ahee, Edmund T. Ahee Jewelers, Mike & Lisa Fuller, Kevin & Barbara Hendrick, The Original Pancake House, and Douglas & Margaret Rahaim.

The Foundation officially gifted the course to the city of Grosse Pointe Woods on August 3, 2019. The city operates and maintains the course, and established a $2 fee to play, with a discounted “package” of eight games for just $10. The city tallied over 2500 players in just its first three months and continues to be popular!

Avenue in the Woods Banners

The Foundation was pleased to provide funding to the Avenue in the Woods business association for the beautiful light post banners displayed along Mack Avenue.

Burke fosseE Fitness Trail

The Burke Fossee Fitness Trail in Lake Front Park opened during the 2014 Grosse Pointe Woods annual Labor Day Bridge Walk. The trail is named after Burke Fossee, a longtime resident who had a fondness for Lake Front Park, and for staying fit and active. Individual donors and a generous donation from the Fossee family made the project a reality; plaques recognizing sponsors are placed at each station.

The fitness equipment is permanently installed at nine scenic locations along the park’s 1.4-mile paved path. Included are a squat press, chest/back press, tai chi wheels, and a cardio stepper. Stations are spaced 100 to 200 yards apart, encouraging people to walk or run as they move between them. 

City Hall Clocktower

The Clock Tower in front of the Grosse Pointe Woods City Hall was purchased and installed by the Foundation in 2010. The large planters, filled with flowers in the summer months and festive greens in the winter, were also donated to the city by the Foundation.

activities building Games

When you're playing fooseball and air hockey in the activities building at Lake Front Park, you are enjoying efforts of the Foundation.