a COOL gang

Looking at the abandoned bicycle racetrack, the Dorais Velodrome, in the northeast section of Detroit one could see a maze of shrubbery, trees, tires, and paint cans without ever imagining that bikes were once ridden there.

That all changed when the Mower Gang showed up one day. The Mower Gang, founded by Tom Nardone, was created to revive unkempt public land in Detroit. This project was their first, "I can't believe that this has been abandoned in time," Tom said as he over looked the track. At first the task seemed daunting as twenty-some years of non-use left the concrete almost completely covered with flora. With donated power tools the gang worked under a relentless sun and the track began to resemble its old self.

Jon Hughes, owner of Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop and the grandson of one of the men who helped build the velodrome back in 1969, seemed amazed, "I'm super impressed with what they've done in just a day." Jon rode the track again for the first time in years as he reminisced about past national and world champions that once competed on the track.

"It's really not about getting some 45 year-old guy a better place to ride his bike. It's more about getting 10-,12-,13-year-old kids a better place to spend an afternoon," said Tom as he reflected on the gang's mission.

The Mower Gang's next mission is at Riverside Park on Aug. 28-look for them as they will be wearing their shirts with the motto, "Winning Detroit's Other Turf War."

Here's to you Tom and the rest of the Mower Gang, keep mowing-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of the Mower Gang's efforts to clean up unkempt public land in Detroit?