Groundbreaking ceremony at Goudy Park

Construction is officially underway on the new amphitheatre at Goudy Park. Pictured at the groundbreaking ceremony are Councilwoman Larissa A. Richardson, Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib; State Senator Dayna Polehanki; Mayor John Rhaesa; Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell; and Molly Tamsen from the office of County Executive Warren Evans. Plaques were presented to commemorate the project. Photo by Natalie Rhaesa

By Sarah Shurge – On Monday, August 4th, a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase One of the Goudy Park renovation was held at Goudy Park.
Diane Webb, Wayne City Manager, started the ceremony off by listing the dignitaries attending, including: Larissa Richardson – representing United States Representative Rashida Tlaib, Senator Dayna Polehanki, Molly Tamsen – representing Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell, Wayne Mayor John Rhaesa, Mayor Pro Tem Alfred Brock, Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong, Wayne Fire Chief Mike Stradtner, Wayne County Commissioner Al Wilson, councilmembers, and Trish Hampton from Wayne Rotary Club.
“This is a 1.3 million dollar renovation,” said Webb. “It really had a lot of challenges getting here to this day. A lot of ups and downs.”
The amphitheater at Goudy Park was built in 1992. It started deteriorating around 2014. The DPW patched it together for about seven years until it was finally deemed unsafe and fenced off.
Phase One is focusing on a new amphitheater with designer flatwork and redoing the entire landscaping.
“This is phase one of a multi-phase development we’re looking to do as the city moves on. There’s many other aspects of the park we want to improve,” said Ray Parker, Hennessey Engineers project architect.
Foundation work was scheduled to start Tuesday, August 5th.
“We’ll have the amphitheater up before we know it and then we’ll start working on the stage,” said Parker. “It’s gonna bring this park back to life.”
Phase One is hoping to be completed in September.
“This project of patience, persistence, and forward motion, and thanks to all of you, we never lost sight of the goal,” said Mayor Rhaesa.
Mayor Rhaesa also announced that the spring of 2026 will be ground breaking for Phase Two of improvements to Goudy Park – a $900,000 investment made possible through grant funding.
Phase Two will include a new play structure, interactive splash pad, new entry archway off Second Street, and more.
“I

Pictured at the groundbreaking ceremony are Councilman Don Quarles, Councilman Rabhi Darwiche, Councilwoman Kathy Lawrence, Mayor John Rhaesa, Councilwoman Deb Wass, Councilman Kevin Dowd, and Mayor Pro Tem Alfred Brock. Photo by Natalie Rhaesa

also want to add a special thanks as well to the DDA, our city administration, and the Wayne city council both past and present, for your continued support, improvement, and effort in this vision,” said Mayor Rhaesa.
Be sure to drive by Goudy Park to see the progress!