New Book Chronicles Oak Park’s Rise and Rebirth, Sales Benefit Library
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 30, 2025)
Oak Park, MI – One thing that writer Jack Lessenberry would like people to know about Oak Park is that it’s possible to turn a city around.
Lessenberry, a seasoned journalist and author, is the co-author of a new book called Oak Park’s Rise and Rebirth. The book is a labor of love started by Keith McClellan – also a writer, as well as the husband of current Mayor Marian McClellan. Keith died in Nov. 2022, before finishing the project. Wife Marian said she was delighted that Lessenberry agreed to pick up the baton and finish her hubby’s project.
“Keith did a lot of research, and Jack used his talent to turn it into a wonderful story,” she said.
That story is one that civic-minded readers from any town could learn from, and of course that any Oak Parker could take pride in.
It goes back to the days when Oak Park was swampland with potential, that developed without the deed restrictions that kept many other Detroit suburbs segregated. As soldiers returned from World War II with GI Bill funding, many chose Oak Park to put down roots. And as the automotive industry boomed in the 1960s and 70s, so too did the city’s population. The location attracted a large Jewish population, as well as people with diverse backgrounds who weren’t permitted to buy homes elsewhere.
But as the automotive industry began dis-investing, it left many working-class communities with high rates of joblessness and defunct businesses. As property values declined, Oak Park struggled to maintain properties, services, and amenities.
Through good times and bad, Oak Park has been a community with lots of love, and stories to tell. Like the history of the pedestrian bridges over I-696 designed to accommodate Jewish devotees on their walks to Temple. Or the stories of famous resident like including attorney Geoffrey Fieger and his brother Doug Fieger of the rock band “The Knack.”
The comeback story has enchanted Lessenberry in particular though, because there is so much to learn from it. It chronicles Marian McClellan’s first run for Mayor, and the hiring of City Manager Erik Tungate twelve years ago – and the changes this pair and their team has made to make Oak Park a destination location.
From the warm and fuzzy feel of intentionally-placed sunflowers, to the ending of prohibition, to the redesigning of streets and addition of parks and streetscapes – the decade-long journey has led the City to a place of not just stability, but prosperity.
And as construction begins on a project to develop the municipal property to include including a new event hub with a band shell, and a community center with an indoor pool, it’s a perfect time to look at the journey that got them there.
Oak Park Rise and Rebirth costs $25 and is available at the Oak Park Library and at BookBeat on Greenfield/Lincoln Center, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of the Oak Park Library.
Lessenberry be selling and autographing the book at the a Detroit Festival of Books in Shed 6 at Eastern Market from 10 to 4 pm on Sunday, July 20.
There is a book signing and author talk at the Oak Park Library on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 6:30pm. More info: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/1717800352195129/
There will also be a book signing and event, “Hops for History,” at Dog and Pony on Eleven Mile at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 20.
Anyone who can’t come to one of these events who wants to buy a book can contact Lessenberry on Facebook messenger or via Omblade@aol.com. Cost for mailing the book is $34, payable in advance.
