If you really want to show off the city to your summer visitors at its most warm-weather fun, Detroit Parks & Recreation Department’s (DPRD) got you.
The department will help you not embarrass yourself at the cookout by providing classes on all the hustles and a few more dance styles. The adult and senior hustle classes are held Mondays through Saturdays at the Adams Butzel Complex, Butzel Family Center, Heilmann Recreation Center, Farwell Recreation Center, Patton Recreation Center, Northwest Activities Center and Clemente Recreation Center. Class times vary.
Black folks have also been taking on cowboy culture and, doing as we do, making it ours, from country music and to horse riding. We might as well do the same with square dancing—and the class for that is Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Adams Butzel Complex.
For the ballroom-curious or -lover, classes for adults and seniors are held at the Heilmann Recreation Center and the Farwell Recreation Center. Class times vary.
If your dance style is more improvisational, DanceAbility might be for you. The 18 and older, al dance levels and all abilities class takes place on Tuesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Patton Recreation Center.
Now, if you’ve watched the Marvel movies and felt inspired to learn how to shoot arrows like Hawkeye, Detroit Parks & Recreation can teach you. The archery classes are at the Patton Recreation Center and are held at different times, per age group.
And pickleball is the hot new racquet sport—and, of course, you can learn the game at the Patton Recreation Center. The senior sessions are on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the 10-and-up set can take lessons from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..
How many Black childhoods were consumed about learning how to hula hoop? Relive that joy—or learn how to do it the first time—with hula hoop classes. They are offered at the Adams Butzel Complex and the Northwest Activities Center. Class times vary.
Some Black people have been exposed to swimming, but too many have not been acclimated to the water. Detroit Parks & Recreation is doing the community a solid with its water aerobics and swim classes. The aquatic exercise class is held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; the swimming classes are Mondays through Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.. The classes will be at the Northwest Activities Center—and don’t forget to go to the sauna before or after the session.
Relatedly, DPRD is offering lifeguard training. The classes are in session or will begin in May. The sessions will be held at the Adams Butzel Complex, the Heilmann Recreation Center and the Patton Recreation Center. The class times vary.
Summer is also the perfect season for team sports. The 36th annual Detroit Senior Olympics will be held June 12-14. The new events this year are archery, cornhole, dance, pickleball and pinochle. The department is also starting its flag football season. Games will be played on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 30 to July 8; the championship games will be played on July 8.
The department is also seeking coaches for the flag football teams. For more information, go to DPRDAthletics@detroitmi.gov or call 313.224.0006.
Let’s not forget about the department’s summer camp! Camp runs from June 26 to August 13 and is for children ages six through 12 and costs $450. The day camp locations are at Adams Butzel Complex, Heilmann Recreation Center, Farwell Recreation Center, Patton Recreation Center, Clemente Recreation Center and Kemeny Recreation Center. For this activity, contact Laura Wright at laura.wright@detroitmi.gov.
And this is just a sampling of the fun the DPRD has planned! Except for the specifically mentioned information, go to detroitmi.gov/recreation to find out more.
Happy Summer!
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