Robin Kay Cooke

Livonia, MI Area Guide

With a population of approximately 100,500 people, Livonia is eighth largest city in Michigan and has the fourth largest land area among Michigan cities.  Livonia is conveniently located in northwest part of Wayne County, is halfway between Detroit and Ann Arbor, and is approximately 22 miles (35 km) northwest from downtown Detroit, and two miles (3 km) from the western city limits of Detroit.  The city is connected to the metropolitan area via freeways.  Livonia is also just 20 to 25 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The city motto is “People Come First”, and in Livonia they do just that.  While being so near to both larger cities and other smaller communities, Livonia offers a rich blend of cultural, entertainment and family-friendly offerings.  Livonia offers a wonderful quality of life, all the while being close to metropolitan areas.

History

Originally inhabited by the Potowatami Indians, the area’s rich soil and abundant harvests attracted pioneers from New England and New York.  On March 17, 1835 the boarders of Livonia Township were settled by an act of territorial legislature and soon the forested wilderness had become an area of prosperous dairy farms and fruit orchards.  Livonia was sustained for the first 100 years by raising sheep and dairy cattle and growing vegetables and grain.  In the late 1940's, the area took its first dramatic step from agriculture to commerce and industry.  In 1948, the General Motors Corporation built an automatic transmission plant, soon to be followed by a Ford Motor Company parts depot.

On May 23, 1950, Livonia was incorporated into a city with a population of 17,000.  In 1949, the Michigan Racing Association built a thoroughbred harness race track at a cost of 5 million dollars.  This track offered significant motivation for Livonia to incorporate because in order for the entire area of the Township of Livonia to benefit from racetrack revenues, it became necessary to incorporate.  The track closed in 1998.
Livonia has been visited by six U.S. presidents: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush.

Livonia Parks and Recreation

The Livonia Parks and Recreation Department believes in creating a community through people, parks and programs and to offer safe and enjoyable parks that are designed and maintained to provide the highest amount of pleasure and satisfaction for everyone.  The Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life for Livonia residents by encouraging participation through innovative programs and offering recreation facilities.  

The City of Livonia has over 1,389 acres of land, which includes 3 18-hole courses, 1 archery range, 1 community recreation center within 60 park sites.  Other amenities found within Livonia Parks include a state-of-the-art community center,  32 tennis courts, 43 ball diamonds, 3 golf courses, 25 soccer fields, 3 outdoor swimming pools, 2 ice arenas (three sheets of ice leased to a private operator), 11 picnic shelters, an archery range, 7 in-line skating courts, 1 skateboard park, 10 sand volleyball courts, 3 outdoor ice rinks, 3 fitness clusters, 22 neighborhood parks with play structures and 11 designated nature preserve areas some with trails.  Livonia parks are a great place for families and groups to gather for picnics and outdoor activities.  The Livonia Parks and Recreation Department continually updates the neighborhood parks by making improvements to play equipment, tennis courts, nature trails, shelters, fitness clusters.

The Livonia Parks and Recreations’ Athletics Division offers programs for people of all ages and includes softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, hunter safety, archery, fitness, roller skating, roller-blading, in-line hockey, soccer, tennis, bowling, and golf.  Since these programs are popular, the Livonia Parks and Recreation Department suggests you register early.  The Parks and Recreation Department offers a number of year-round one day youth sports competitions.

To learn more about the Athletics Division, please click here

To find out more about the Livonia Department of Parks & Recreation, please visit them by clicking on the following link. http://www.ci.livonia.mi.us/tabid/510/Departments/Parks%20and%20Rec/home.aspx

Click here for Park Locations

Click here for the Livonia Golf Division: http://www.golflivonia.com/

Livonia Events

Livonia is home to year round spectacular events.  The Livonia Department of Parks and Recreation strives to put great emphasis on the events and programs that take place in their community.  These events play an integral role in developing community spirit, as well as a sense of family and individual pride throughout the community.  To learn more about these wonderful events, please feel free to visit any of the links below by clicking on them. 

Winter Events

Spring Events

Falls Events

Summer Events

For a complete list of events, please click here.