One of the most exciting things about moving back to the Midwest has been the return of hockey in my life.  It has been eight years too long since I last suited up and I told myself that if I ever moved back I would have no excuse not to play.  Luckily for me in Detroit there are many hockey offerings to choose from; watching games at the Joe, to playing in leagues and coaching youth at Clark Park.  I found out about Clark Park Coalition from last year’s interview trip and kept it in mind if I had the chance to move to Detroit.  Clark Park is located in Southwest Detroit and serves as a community anchor to the neighborhood.  It offers year round programming for youth ranging from soccer and tennis to photography and art.  It also boasts the only regulation-sized outdoor hockey rink in Metro Detroit!  

The Clark Park Coalition hockey program is part of NHL’s hockey is for everyone program that focuses on providing children of all backgrounds the opportunity to play hockey.  I have been volunteer coaching at Clark Park since January and am in awe at the enthusiasm and dedication that these young kids have for the sport.  Some come in having never skated before and after three or four practices they are cruising around the rink with no help at all.  Being part of this program I have experienced firsthand how everyone treats each other like family, with the older players helping teach the younger children how to skate and becoming their new mentors.  Any bad day can be turned around the second you skate onto the ice, your only worry is the weather cooperating! 

Everyone from the staff, the volunteers, coaches and parents are all dedicated to Clark Park Coalition’s mission: “To provide an array of diverse, high-quality recreational, educational, social and mentoring programs for southwest Detroit families promoting skills development which helps our youth grow into responsible, self-confident adults.”

Come down to Clark Park and see for yourself all of the exciting events it has to offer!