Crary-Saint Marys

Set along the Southfield Freeway just by the intersection of the I-96 Express, Crary-St. Mary’s is a Detroit neighborhood with urban access and suburban appeal. With a focus on culture and community, Crary-St. Mary’s is a driving force with a growing voice to be heard.

“The thing about Detroit is that all the communities that are dormant are very dormant, but all the communities that are vibrant are very vibrant,” says Harrison R. Duke, a local historian and community activist born and raised in Detroit. “Crary-St. Mary’s is a very involved community with its own civic association and community council that meets regularly to develop and implement engagement activities among its residents. That’s the type of unity and community people go there for.”

While this community is located within the Detroit city limits, it has a certain suburban feel that carries through its streets. The leaves on mature trees change with the seasons, going from extreme green to red, orange and gold to snow-covered branches and back again. The community is filled with rows of brick homes in various styles accompanied by tree-dotted and hedge-trimmed lawns that are well-maintained. Cozy traditional homes feature comfy front porches and bay windows, while Craftsman-style homes have prominent dormers and front and side entrances covered by metal awnings. Rows of Tudor-influenced houses display front patios in place of full porches, and brick chimneys are a common addition to all the homes in the area. Most homes in the area are priced under $100,000, with larger four-bedrooms not exceeding $200,000.

As part of the Detroit Public Schools Community School District, students can attend Bates Academy through grade eight before enrolling at Renaissance High School. Accomplished in academics and athletics, Renaissance has a more selective admissions process and counts NFL players like the Raiders’ Ronald Bartell, the Jets’ Lawrence Thomas and Rams offensive tackle and 2022 Super Bowl winner Alaric Jackson among its notable graduates. Bates Academy holds an overall Niche grade of B-minus, while Renaissance has a B.

A paradise for sports players, Peterson Playfield makes for a great weekend visit when you want to get out and get active. From basketball and tennis courts to a baseball field where locals like to host neighborhood kickball games, the Playfield has you covered for outdoor enjoyment. There’s also a colorful playground and spray ground for the kids to enjoy on hot summer days. “There’s an ongoing effort to establish new facilities and cityscapes,” says Duke. “So many parks have been revamped, and more have upcoming upgrade projects.” Kelley Park is expanding, soon adding an outdoor fitness area, a replaced walking path and a dog park for locals’ furry friends. Construction is set to be completed in Fall 2024.

Greenfield Market is the local go-to for groceries and other everyday essentials, while CVS and Family Dollar are available for quick grab-and-go items. Treat friends and family to dinner at the 24-hour Royal Grill Restaurant, serving everything from deli sandwiches and pitas to soups, salads and diner-favorite dinner entrées. The diner dishes keep going at Nicky D’s Coney Island, where stir-fry and sandwich melts are popular, and the Coney Island specials pull people in.

One neighborhood amenity that focuses on celebrating community, culture and family throughout the neighborhood is Kwanzaa Park. Maintaining the principles of its namesake holiday, the park reinforces a sense of unity in Crary-St. Mary’s as Detroit takes great pride in its annual Kwanzaa celebration. In 2022, the city unveiled the world’s largest kinara — the seven-armed candleholder associated with the holiday — and prominently displayed the 30-foot tall structure in downtown Detroit.

Written By

Kent Olden

Photography Contributed By

Sam Adams

Video By

Antoine Allen