From Healing Grounds to Community Park

The land that is now Legacy Park has a long history full of healing and renewal.

Since 1952, it’s been a space of healing for many. It once housed the former Northville Psychiatric State Hospital. When it was built, it was touted as Michigan’s first attempt at scientific treatment of mental illness. An innovative art and music therapy program captured the attention of many. Patients put on plays, sang or learned to play instruments. Other patients gardened, studied mechanics or worked in hospital facilities. The hospital closed in 2003.  

Those healing roots are emerging again. The 11 buildings have undergone remediation, where crews removed the asbestos and hazardous materials. Safety is a top priority here. Northville Township hired a specialist to complete this in such a way that our residents are protected by keeping the materials from becoming airborne and disposing of the materials properly.  

Asbestos Abatement Incorporated of Lansing, and its subcontractors, completed this task by late fall 2023.

One building remains and will be repurposed. A feasibility study revealed Building 14, the former psychiatric hospital’s laundry facility, needs up to $4 million to get to a state where it can be renovated. A new build may be more cost effective, so our newly formed Capital Development Committee is evaluating this and awaiting a second opinion on it. We’re also hosting a study session on Legacy Park March 16, 2026, to start the discussions

With the demolition complete, the fun began. Planners studied the topography and mapped out park trails, nature areas and other amenities. This was after working with the Township’s Legacy Park Committee, who surveyed residents, spoke to recreation organizations and consulted the Seven Mile Park Master Plan that was adopted in 2012. Making the best use of this land is a priority. 

One lesson Northville Township -- and all communities -- learned during the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of the outdoors. Residents love it, use it and need it. Legacy Park will offer that to you.

With removal of all the buildings, we were left with nearly 63 acres of available space. The Township consulted with various professionals to develop a plan for the open fields. Along with seeking grants to fund re-forestation efforts and re-establish native vegetation.

A public Input Meeting was held at Township Hall July 16, 2024. Residents and prospective park users were encouraged to speak with planners and provide direct input into the development of Legacy Park. This gathering included a presentation from land development experts Spalding DeDecker.

We also created the Legacy Park Master Plan, which is a long-term strategy that maximizes the property's uniqueness while establishing priorities for park improvements spanning the next 20 years or so. To help guide that path forward, we hosted public input sessions and gathered feedback from the community and key stakeholders to glean guidance in creating this public park. The input was integral to creating a vision for the park.

Second Water Tower

The expansive property at Legacy Park also accommodates an additional elevated water tower within the Township’s system. Aside from proving redundancy and better pressures, this translated to significant savings on water costs. The extra 500,000-gallon tank decreased the Township’s peak water demands. By reducing our peak demands, we realized significant cost savings through the Great Lakes Water Authority’s rate methodology.

The tank was completed and became active June 1, 2024.