Restoration of tornado damage at park celebrated

    A ribbon-cutting and tree planting ceremony at Heritage Park in Canton Township will mark the reopening of pavilions destroyed by a 2023 tornado.

    Officials from the National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Canton Township at 10:19 Aug 24, 2024 and produced 80 mph winds. The tornado touched down just north of the Pheasant Run Golf Club, then tracked southeast and crossed numerous roads. It dissipated just north of the Lower River Rouge.
    The tornado is estimated to have traveled a path of 1.7 miles and a maximum width of 200 yards.
    Dozens of trees were downed and uprooted and the popular splash pad in Heritage Park damaged. The facility has been closed for repairs since the damage occurred.
    The reopening event is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 and will mark the official reopening of the three pavilions destroyed during the tornado. The ceremony is open to the public and Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak along with members of the board of trustees and other officials will be on hand to celebrate the completion of the final tornado restoration project. New trees, new picnic tables, trash receptacles and repairs to the splash playground were among the repairs and replacements accomplished during the restoration effort.

    “Canton is grateful to finally be able to fully restore all of our Heritage Park amenities that were affected by severe weather that occurred back in August 2023,” stated Greg Hohenberger, Canton Leisure Services director. “Heritage Park remains one of our most popular community parks that welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year and we’re excited to have these pavilions available for our 2025 rental season.”
    In the spirit of Earth Day, a native Michigan tree will be planted near the Heritage Park South Pavilions, that can be found on Veterans Way behind the Canton Administration Building, located at 1150 S. Canton Center Road. This year marks the 55th Anniversary of Earth Day and its theme of: Our Power, Our Planet. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22, around the globe in more than 193 countries.
    In addition to the splash pad and pavilions, the 105-acre Heritage Park offers several playscapes, a gazebo, large scenic ponds, 1.5 miles of walking paths, an amphitheater, baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, a sand volleyball court, fishing pier, and much more, officials said.
    For more information, visit www.cantonmi.gov or call (734) 394-5360.
    Heritage Park is located just west of the Canton Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton Center, Road.