When traveling to Eastpointe I had no idea what to expect. I’ve been there many times throughout my life, but each visit has been to see family or friends. It wasn’t until recently that I was able to explore the city and its sights.
Eastpointe is full of hidden dens of beauty and tranquility. The Eastpointe library for instance, is a beautiful place to visit. It features a quaint little garden where you can sit down and read in peace while also enjoying the fresh air and scenery. Across the parking lot is the Eastpointe Children’s Garden which you can stroll through as well. Adorning the area are fun sculptures, benches for relaxing and a large mural painted by Wendy Popko titled, the Rainbow Maker.
Down the street on Gratiot, past the little clocktower, is Eastpointe City Hall, which has an open courtyard behind it where anyone can walk or ride their bike.
If you have a dog that you want to take out for some fun in the sun, Eastpointe also has the MiDog Park. There, your canine can frolic and play. More information on how to access the park can be found here.
After a good workout, a gratifying place to stop is Foxy’s Ice Cream, a family-owned business that’s been open for 60 years. The parlor has feasible prices and delicious ice cream. You can read more about my trip to Foxy’s in the National Ice Cream Day blog!
If you are in the mood for a nice meal, Eastpointe has tons of places to go. All along Gratiot, especially between 8 and 10 mile, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. The dine-in option I chose was Cloverleaf Bar and Restaurant. Cloverleaf is more than just a pizza place. Since the 1950s, this restaurant has been a staple of the community, with many loyal customers who have been coming since they were children. The pizza is delicious too! I highly recommend giving it a try.
After having a nice meal, I decided to stroll through the Eastpointe Community Garden, an initiative run by volunteers. Near the entrance, a robot-like sculpture sits amongst a patch of greenery, welcoming you in. Within the grounds there are enough places to sit with friends or family, if you so wish. The garden also has plots of raised beds that community members are able to rent out to grow their own vegetation. However, it’s not a necessity that you plant something in order to make a visit. It’s delightful enough to witness the growing produce and bask in the peaceful atmosphere!
If you would like to find a place to stop at with the kids, I also recommend Eastpointe’s many parks. For instance, I paid a visit to John F. Kennedy Memorial Park and Spindler Park. The JFK Memorial Park is large with fields to run around in, playscapes to play on and lots of shade to sit under, either from the trees or the pavilion. There’s also a roller hockey rink!
Eastpointe’s Spindler Park is a great place to go, too! Some of the perks of the park include a play area for the kids, tennis courts, a trail that extends around the whole park, a volleyball net, and ample amounts of shade and seating. There’s even a large hill that is perfect for sledding during the winter time.
My trip to Eastpointe is over, but I’m sure there is more to explore. What other places should I visit next time?
Rachel Dearing is an intern for Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.