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As summer begins, a look at the Park's parks—and their boss
With Memorial Day weekend the official kickoff of summer, Terry Solomon is ready for action. As Grosse Pointe Park's parks and recreation director, Solomon oversees a system that serves nearly 4,700 people a day during peak summer season at its two lakefront facilities, Windmill Pointe Park and Patterson Park.
Every summer Windmill Pointe offers swim classes that range from toddler age all the way up to lifeguard training. They also have quite a large swim team with about 300 children participating. There are tennis lessons and tournaments, as well as volleyball leagues.
But what makes all the Grosse Pointe parks special is their access to Lake St. Clair. The Park has a sail club, 268 boat wells and races Tuesday nights and on the weekends.
In at the Lavens Center in Windmill Pointe, there are second-run movies in a modern movie theater, plus a fitness center and a full-sized gym with a variety of fitness classes.
Once a month, the park holds special events. This summer's schedule will offer a fishing rodeo and concerts are also held. And the West Park Farmer's Market is open for business, now through September, on Kercheval near Beaconsfield.
When summer ends, the park slows down, but doesn't stop. The marina and pool close and the tennis and volleyball tournaments end, but the fitness center and gym remain open along with all regular classes. During the cold-weather months, the park offers a variety of activities that include stunts and tumbling classes, karate, gymnastics and indoor golf. The park still has many ongoing special events such as lunch with Santa and a tree-lighting ceremony during the Christmas season, ice skating lessons, and Chilly-Fest in the month of February.
Solomon marked her 20th year on the job this year. She describes her job as maintaining the integrity of the park and takes pride in doing so. She also handles safety, purchasing, employee relations, and event planning.
Solomon grew up in Harper Woods and worked in the parks there after graduating from high school. She had hopes of becoming a teacher but her passion for parks and outdoors changed her college plans, and she ended up with a degree in environmental studies and physical education for the exceptional child from Wayne State University.
“People are the best part of my job.” Solomon says, “I love the contact with people… and seeing them enjoy themselves. I get to see it; I get to give that experience.”
Solomon feels she is at an advantage in that she has an exceptional staff. She “hand-picked” the entire staff, which swells to 120 in summer. “They bring great qualities to the job,” she said. Solomon now lives in Grosse Pointe Woods and has two sons, 25 and 23.
Video extra: Terry Solomon talks about her job as the Park's parks and recreation director:
Editor's note: This report was prepared by students in Professor Tim Kiska's online journalism class at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
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