DETROIT -- The city began demolishing its old Animal Control building this week to make way for an expansion of Riverside Park.

A new dog park and skate park will be built on the 3-acre site, Mayor Mike Duggan's office announced Monday.

Detroit Animal Care and Control moved late last year to a former Humane Society of Michigan shelter off the Chrysler Service Drive, north of Grand Boulevard.

Riverside Park, along Detroit's west riverfront, has been closed for years, but the city has been working to reopen it since a 2015 land swap with Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun.

Moroun wanted a portion of the park for his long-shot bid to build a second bridge span, and the city agreed last year to transfer the property to his Detroit International Bridge Company in exchange for $3 million and 4.8 acres of riverfront land to the west.

On those a 4.8 acres, an old Detroit News warehouse was demolished last year, and the first phase of construction began on a new basketball court, soccer field, playground, picnic shelter and a softball diamond, which is open.

A third phase of the project will begin this summer, with plans for an amphitheater and sledding hill, according to the mayor's office.

Later on, the city plans to create more playgrounds, a festival promenade and the Riverside Park boat launch.