Page 12 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Groundbreaking ceremony at Goudy Park

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 Pole-
hanki, 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 Commis-
sioner Al Wilson, councilmembers,
and Trish Hampton from Wayne Ro-
tary Club. Construction is officially underway on the new amphitheatre at Goudy Park. Pictured at the groundbreaking ceremony are Coun-
“This is a 1.3 million dollar reno- cilwoman Larissa A. Richardson, Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib; State Senator Dayna Polehanki; Mayor John Rhaesa;
vation,” said Webb. “It really had a Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell; and Molly Tamsen from the office of County Executive Warren Evans. Plaques
lot of challenges getting here to this
day. A lot of ups and downs.” were presented to commemorate the project. Photo by Natalie Rhaesa
The amphitheater at Goudy Park thanks to all of you, we never lost
was built in 1992. It started deterio- sight of the goal,” said Mayor Rhaesa.
rating around 2014. The DPW Mayor Rhaesa also announced
patched it together for about seven that the spring of 2026 will be
years until it was finally deemed un- ground breaking for Phase Two of
safe and fenced off. improvements to Goudy Park – a
Phase One is focusing on a new $900,000 investment made possible
amphitheater with designer flatwork through grant funding.
and redoing the entire landscaping. Phase Two will include a new play
“This is phase one of a multi- structure, interactive splash pad,
phase development we’re looking to new entry archway off Second Street,
do as the city moves on. There’s and more.
many other aspects of the park we “I also want to add a special
want to improve,” said Ray Parker, Pictured at the groundbreaking ceremony are Councilman Don Quarles, Councilman thanks as well to the DDA, our city
Hennessey Engineers project archi- Rabhi Darwiche, Councilwoman Kathy Lawrence, Mayor John Rhaesa, Council- administration, and the Wayne city
tect. council both past and present, for
Foundation work was scheduled woman Deb Wass, Councilman Kevin Dowd, and Mayor Pro Tem Alfred Brock. Photo your continued support, improve-
to start Tuesday, August 5th. by Natalie Rhaesa ment, and effort in this vision,” said
“We’ll have the amphitheater up Parker. “It’s gonna bring this park pleted in September. Mayor Rhaesa.
before we know it and then we’ll back to life.” “This project of patience, persist- Be sure to drive by Goudy Park to
start working on the stage,” said Phase One is hoping to be com- ence, and forward motion, and see the progress!

12 · August 2025 · The Wayne Dispatch