Macomb Township's Pitchford Park dedicated to family

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At a small ceremony on the morning of June 9, the final piece of Pitchford Park was unveiled.

Macomb Township Supervisor Frank Viviano and Clerk Kristi Pozzi pulled the cover off Pitchford Park’s dedication plaque, which reads, “Pamela Pitchford and Joe Kay dedicate this lovely park to honor Joyce, Bill and Todd Pitchford for their love of nature, art and community.” The ceremony was almost seven months to the day after the park was opened.

The idea for Pitchford Park, located on Romeo Plank Road between 22 Mile and 23 Mile roads, began on a phone call between Pamela Pitchford and Salvatore DiCaro, Macomb Township’s parks and recreation director.

“She said that she and her husband, Joe Kay, wanted to donate a parcel of land X, this parcel of land X, for us to develop a park,” DiCaro said. “I could tell right away this call was going to be different. After further discussion it was clear Pam and Joe truly wanted to do something nice for the township, memorializing and honoring their family.”

The original land donation took place in 2021, and an adjoining property owned by the Fischer family was purchased in 2023 to bring the park’s size up to 14.1 acres.

“So often a park is named after somebody famous, but I wanted to bring light to regular families, which is my own family,” Pamela Pitchford said. “I think if you look at any family, you’ll find extraordinary stories and efforts made by people that make every family special.”

Joyce and Bill Pitchford moved to Macomb Township after their retirement and lived in the Maple Villas neighborhood for 22 years. Bill served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and Joyce was a teacher for Utica Community Schools with many of her students still living in the area. Both were active members of the Presbyterian Church of Utica. Bill died in September 2020, and Joyce died in February 2021. Todd Pitchford, brother of Pamela, was a stained-glass artist. Todd’s work can be found in a variety of businesses, residences and churches. Todd died in 2002.

Macomb Township’s first park south of 23 Mile Road features a number of amenities including two playscapes, pickleball and tennis courts, a dog park with area for large and small dogs, a pollinator garden and a trail that rings the park. A bridge crossing a drain provides a direct connection to the park from the neighborhood to the south, while private bridges allow people to access the park from the west.

Within the park are various signs spotlighting the families that have contributed to the park. Inside the large doghouse that welcomes guests to the dog park, two dog bones reading the names Heidi and Buster are displayed. Heidi and Buster were the dogs owned by Joyce and Bill, Heidi being a dachshund and Buster being — as Pamela describes him — “a very homely” shih tzu. A garden located where the Fischer family’s house once stood bears the family’s name and recognizes the Fischer, Rewoldt and original homesteading Liebig families for their contributions to Macomb Township since 1855. A wooden frame surrounds a stone planter where the house was.

Township residents and visitors were positive about Pitchford Park.

“It’s great,” resident Paul Grewal said. “It’s great for the community and I’m thankful to the Pitchford family for donating and doing this great thing for the community … It’s nice to walk over here and play tennis and my kid can play in the park. These two things are great.”

Visitors to the township were also impressed by its offerings. Susan Palmer said there was nothing like Pitchford Park around the New Haven/Chesterfield area.

“I love that there’s two separate play zones for the big kids and the little kids,” Palmer said. “And they have all these swings, conveniences for all the kids who need assistance with swings, and all these things, so I think it’s a great park for kids.”

Palmer’s husband was one of Joyce Pitchford’s fourth grade students. Palmer has plans to return to Pitchford Park with her two kids in the future.

“I think more people need to realize how convenient the location is, and the opportunities that they have for kids,” Palmer said. “Not many parks have all these experiences, and a lot of parks don’t offer the amenities for parents with kids with special needs or impairments.”

With Pitchford Park open and active, Macomb Township Parks and Recreation is shifting its focus toward developing other parks in the community. Lucido River Park, located on North Avenue between 23 Mile and 24 Mile roads, is a particular focus.

“Right now, we’re renting it on the inside, but we’re looking to expand with a trail down (by) the river, and to expand some of the outdoor offerings there,” DiCaro said.

The former Lions Club meeting house at Lucido Park is available for rent through parks and recreation.

Outside of expanding Lucido Park, Macomb Township Parks and Recreation has its sights set on its slate of summer events and activities.

DiCaro said he always has an ear open for those looking to donate land for more township parks.

“We’re always looking for park land,” DiCaro said. “We’re always looking to grow, and things are going really good right now.”