Courtesy of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s.
First-of-its-kind facility in Michigan Grand opening – October 6, 2025!
(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – October 2025 ) Yesterday, October 6, 2025, the Kirk Gibson Foundation (“KGF”) proudly hosted the official grand opening ribbon cutting celebration for The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness (“the Center”), a first-of-its-kind in Michigan. Located at 31440 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills, MI, the Center is a world-class facility providing a supportive community where those impacted with Parkinson’s can access a wide range of activity-based and educational programs, completely free of charge.
The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness,
began construction in March 2025 and was transformed from an office building for an automotive organization to the state’s only standalone wellness center focused on Parkinson’s. The 32,000-square-foot facility spans two levels, each offering distinct programs that focus on movement and cognitive therapy. The Center also houses the headquarters for the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s, who moved their offices into the Center to further provide combined team support. The renovation was in partnership with the Detroit based team and the world’s most influential architecture, design and planning firm, Gensler. With the goal of creating a Center that provides physical, emotional, and social support for those living with Parkinson’s, Gensler designed the new facility’s thoughtful applications of color and patterns, as well as light levels, creating spaces that are accessible, navigable, and spacious throughout the Center.
The Center is strategically and intentionally located within a 30-minute driving radius from 70 percent of the Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, providing access to an estimated 8,000 living with Parkinson’s in Metro Detroit. The Center anticipates as many as 70,000 visits annually and in its first month of full operations, will offer approximately 75 hours of weekly programming, providing much needed physical, emotional, and social support to those living with the disease and their caregivers.
Since initially announcing the Center was opening back in 2024,
there has been remarkable interest from the Parkinson’s community, where the demand to join has already far exceeded early expectations. Nearly 900 individuals have already registered, with more than 300 members onboarded and over 200 now actively participating in classes. This extraordinary response has confirmed what Kirk Gibson envisioned: a place where members are not only accessing resources, but also building a culture and community of their own.
Guided by a “Movement Matters” concept, the barrier-free interior features a large gathering hall with an overhead 360-degree oval walk/run track; a gym for strength and cardio; a boxing therapy zone; various rooms dedicated to targeted exercises such as yoga, tai chi, Pilates, and dance; general fitness areas, as well as a full multi-purpose gym. Across its spaces, the center offers formal and informal therapy programs, such as table tennis, ping pong, and foosball, as well as dedicated rooms for speech, music, and art therapies; classrooms for fall and kitchen safety, nutrition, and wellness; private counseling spaces; a community lounge; and supporting amenities (specialized changing rooms, offices, storage, kitchen, laundry). Programming is free and focuses on exercise, learning, and social connection. The main area of the Center features a custom graphic that spans the top of the space, underscoring the Foundation’s mission with words of motivation: “Movement Matters”.
The Center’s core programming is a series of activity-based programs,
most of which were developed by InMotion, a Cleveland based leader in evidence-based programs tailored for people with Parkinson’s. Using over 10 years of experience, InMotion has been a vital partner in developing the programs, systems and culture of the Center. Through leveraging the InMotion ApproachTM, the Center will provide an integrated, holistic system of wellness programs designed to counteract the symptoms of the disease and to improve the quality of life of those people living with the disease here in Michigan. Another key feature of the Center’s approach to programming will be its direct collaboration with the Michigan Parkinson Foundation to provide educational and support services. For over 40 years, MPF has been a pillar in the fight against Parkinson’s providing care, support, respite, and education throughout Michigan and will bring this experience and expertise to the services offered at the Center. Together, MPF and the Center will offer Parkinson’s Disease (PD)101 classes, programs for those with late-stage PD, wellness workshops, book clubs and support groups that are geared toward those with PD and care partners, and much more.
Courtesy of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s.
The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness is poised to become a model of collaboration for Parkinson’s care nationwide, demonstrating the power of aligned organizations united to provide better care for the Parkinson’s community. An example of a collaboration that amplifies support and showcasing the community coming together is the Center’s partnership with Planet Fitness. EPIC Fitness Group, a Planet Fitness franchise division, generously donated a range of cardio and strength equipment, including treadmills, recumbent bikes, resistance machines, and free weights.
The Center’s impact is being amplified through the amazing dedication of volunteers, generous donors,
and the broader Parkinson’s and medical communities, whose continued support ensures that all programs and services remain free of charge. A baseball-themed donor wall is featured that honors these contributions. Together, these efforts reflect a strong and growing community, driven by connection, empowerment, and hope.
“The opening of this Parkinson’s Center is more than just a building, it’s a center of hope and provides a sense of community for everyone in the battle with Parkinson’s”, said Kirk Gibson, Founder of the Kirk Gibson Foundation and Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness. “This has been part of my mission, and I am honored to be able to open the doors and welcome everyone to our center where they can empower each other in a place filled with comfort and support”.
The opening of the Center has been made possible by Gibson and his foundation who have been fundraising with the goal of opening a wellness center. This milestone was made possible by a lead gift from Mrs. Marian Ilitch and ongoing contributions from generous donors. While the grand opening marks the start of an exciting new chapter, the KGF will continue fundraising to expand programming, enhance accessibility, and ensure long-term sustainability.
For more information about The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, becoming a member or volunteer or to support the mission, please visit: www.KirkGibsonCenter.org
About the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s:
The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s was formed by former professional baseball player and manager, Kirk Gibson, after his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in 2015. Gibson spent most of his career with the Tigers, but also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Gibson now spends his time supporting his mission and vision of spreading awareness for Parkinson’s and providing inspiration and hope to others who are living with Parkinson’s. The foundation was originally created in 1996 to provide college scholarships to both athletes and non-athletes at Waterford Kettering and Clarkston High Schools, where Kirk’s parents, Robert and Barbara, taught for many years. After being diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2015, Gibson expanded the mission of the foundation to improve the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s through the development and delivery of activity-based programs. Kirk’s vision is to provide inspiration, hope, and help to those living with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones. Since that expansion, the foundation has raised more than $3 million towards research grants and programs to support the Parkinson’s community.
Additionally, the Foundation wants to create awareness and understanding about Parkinson’s disease. Too many individuals are in denial about the disease or fear a stigma associated with Parkinson’s and delay seeking medical help. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide years that are virtually symptom-free. It’s imperative to know that life expectancy is about the same as for people without the disease. While life will change with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, many symptoms can be managed with proper medication and movement therapies, and patients can still live an active and enjoyable life. The foundation will continue to fund and grow outreach programs as well as improve awareness through hosting special events and by increasing fundraising activities.
For more information, please visit www.KirkGibsonFoundation.org
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