by Donna Robertson
August 28, 2026
Past Walk Participants at Community GardenAn east side Detroit neighborhood is coming together for the annual Walk the Block event, a community initiative focused on strengthening the neighborhood, encouraging resident involvement and promoting peace.
Organized by the Harding Street Block Club, the event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
Participants will walk through a portion of Detroit’s Greater Warren/Conner area, observing neighborhood strengths, identifying areas that could use improvement and spreading a message of peace.
Longtime resident Willie Mae Gaskin is helping spearhead the event. Gaskin said the goal is to achieve the same types of improvements she has seen taking place in other areas of Detroit.
Nearly half of Greater Warren/Conner residents live below the poverty line, while the area contains more than 7,000 vacant residential properties, according to the city's neighborhood framework study. At the same time, nearly half of occupied homes are owner-occupied, highlighting the presence of longtime residents invested in the area's future.
“This is our community,” Gaskin said. “People are still here, and we want to see things done, like tearing down houses and fixing streets. We are inviting others who once lived in the community to come back and walk with us.”
Participants will also have an opportunity to connect at a neighborhood community and butterfly garden, a welcoming space that encourages community pride and engagement.
“We stop and look at the community garden,” said Gaskin. “There’s a butterfly garden, and community events are held at the location. It’s one good example of what can be done with neighborhood properties to improve the area.”
The Detroit Police Department’s 5th Precinct is expected to escort participants during the walk, continuing its longstanding support of the event. At the conclusion of the walk, firefighters from the French Road/Shoemaker Fire Station, Squad 6, will welcome families to the station, greet children and provide tours of the firehouse, giving young people an opportunity to connect with local first responders.
The walk will begin at Trinity Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, at the corner of Lemay Street and Shoemaker Avenue. Participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Richard Houston will welcome participants before the walk begins at 10 a.m.
Houston said as the leader of a neighborhood church, he believes it is important for the church to serve and invest in the surrounding community.
“I’ve been involved over the last five years,” Houston said. “I think it’s important for people to see you serving. Walk the Block helps us to meet the people. Not only do they want to hear what you have to say, they want to see action - something that you’re doing. We can learn from each other, discuss certain issues and support each other.”
The event is open to supporters of all ages and will feature kid-friendly activities.
No registration is required. Participants are encouraged to simply show up, walk and support the cause.
Organizers are also encouraging community members and local businesses to support the event through donations of food, supplies or other resources to help make the day possible.
Community Partners
Pastor Richard Houston, Trinity Memorial Church
Pastor Beal, Faith Temple Church
Detroit Police Department – 5th Precinct
French Road/Shoemaker Fire Station – Squad 6
Pastor Richard Houston, Trinity Memorial Missionary Baptist Church
Donna Robertson is Publisher and Editor of FocusDetroit.net. A native Detroiter, Donna has been writing professionally for over 25 years. She is a graduate of Rochester Christian University where she studied Mass Communication/PR, and Specs Howard School of Media Arts where she studied Broadcasting.
No comments:
Post a Comment