2018-Annual-Report.Pdf
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2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 ANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS 1 Leadership Letter 2 Reach 4 Programming Highlights 6 Volunteers 7 Operations & Security 8 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park 10 Construction Updates in 2018 12 Snapshots 14 Development Efforts 16 Donors 22 Shimmer on the River and Soirée Sponsors 23 2018 Revenue & Expenditure Summary 24 About the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy 25 Our Board, Committee Chairs & Staff FROM OUR LEADERSHIP In 2018, the transformation of the riverfront accelerated significantly, bringing us closer than ever to achieving our goal of completing the RiverWalk from bridge to bridge. This has been an extremely exciting year for the Detroit Riverfront. In March, we announced that Michael Van Valkenburgh and Sir David Adjaye had won an international design competition to transform West Riverfront Park, bringing a visionary plan for a world-class 22-acre waterfront destination. During the summer, the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard opened for its first full season, providing an exciting new gathering space among our riverfront public spaces. And in August, we broke ground on the much-anticipated Atwater Beach. When it opens in 2019, Atwater Beach will complete our vision for a system of family- oriented park spaces along the riverfront, with each located within a short 10-minute walk. Attendance at the riverfront continued to grow in 2018, reflecting the exciting diversity of our city and region. This year, we welcomed more than 3 million visitors to the riverfront, making it one of the top destinations in the state. And the philanthropic community continues to lead with significant investments in this mission. In October, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation announced a transformational investment of $50 million in a 22-acre park that will anchor the West Riverfront and draw visitors from throughout the region. We celebrated Karen and Matthew Cullen’s unwavering support of the Conservancy with our “Shimmer Award” in June as we announced an incredibly generous gift to our endowment. This investment will support the operations of the Conservancy for generations to come. And our annual campaign reached new levels, growing by 60 percent this year. These important contributions support the cleaning, security, operations and programming along the riverfront. We are so grateful for your support. Your gifts are having a profound impact on the way our community comes together. Thank you for believing in our vision and for helping us make the Detroit Riverfront a world-class gathering place for all. Mark Wallace, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy President & CEO 2018 ANNUAL REPORT • 1 2 • 2018 ANNUAL REPORT At the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, our goal is to reach kids from young to old and create lifetime REACH memories along the Detroit Riverfront... More than Fishing Fest introduced 3 Million 650 people visit the Detroit Riverfront annually. kids to the wonders of the Detroit River, putting poles in their hands, teaching them to fish and enjoy the unique environment around them. In 2018, more than We hosted 11,500 12,000 seasonal plantings took place in seniors as they got active with the DMC River planters and flowerboxes along Walkers and our Live the Riverfront Wellness the RiverWalk during the spring, series featuring T’ai Chi, Fit Park Boot Camp summer and fall. and Moonlight Yoga classes. Each year on the RiverWalk and We welcomed Dequindre Cut, we provide more than 150 4,500 kids to GM Reading & Rhythm on free and low-cost programs designed the Riverfront, a free literacy program, to offer opportunities for education, where each child was invited to pick healthy fulfilling recreation, and out a brand new book. environmental awareness. The Detroit Riverfront was designed to help kids free senior walking pro- summer, GM River Days is played host to a number get excited about reading. gram presented by the a family-friendly three-day of excellent entertainment, R3 was hugely successful, Detroit Medical Center, weekend showcasing all health and wellness activi- serving more than 4,500 in which all seniors, 55+, the best that the RiverWalk ties this past summer. kids and their families with are invited for group has to offer. From tall ships Between exercise classes interactive children’s enter- walking and fitness to concerts, to delicious and children’s literacy tainment led by community classes on the riverfront. food and more, River events, the Detroit leaders. The kids also Days is one of the biggest Live the Riverfront Riverfront Conservancy got to enjoy a ride on the parties every year on the Wellness Series is looking forward to holding Cullen Family Carousel, and riverfront. In 2018, the The riverfront was host to a many of the same events everyone went home with a event featured classic number of other health and and some new and exciting free book. R&B group Kool & the wellness activities in 2018 programming in the coming Gang as well as the tribute DMC River Walkers through the Live the River- season. band Beatlemania Live! Every Tuesday and Thursday front Wellness Series. This Reading & Rhythm on morning in June, July and series included fun classes Kids Fishing Fest the Riverfront August 2018 you may have like T’ai Chi and Moonlight The Kids Fishing Fest held One of the most popular seen the DMC RiverWalkers Yoga. People of all levels on June 10th at Milliken events held by the Con- strolling along the River- were invited to meet along State Park and Harbor servancy in 2018 was front or enjoying an the Detroit River to enjoy was a special opportunity Reading & Rhythm on the exercise demonstration a fitness class and even for parents, grandparents, Riverfront (R3), an early from the DMC Rehabilitation learn a new skill. guardians and families of literacy program sponsored Institute of Michigan. The all kinds to spend GM River Days by General Motors that DMC RiverWalkers is a quality time with their kids As the official kick-off to 4 • 2018 ANNUAL REPORT creating fun and lasting quickly became one of the food trucks, music and summer of 2018, riverfront memories. The most popular destinations space for local artists and the “Terrace” as it is Fishing Fest included among the public spaces entrepreneurs every Friday affectionately known, children’s games, a DJ, the Detroit Riverfront through Sunday. was the site of the free snacks and even Conservancy manages. D. Cipher Music Series, Campbell Memorial Terrace free bait and pole rental Located between Wilkins which featured an eclectic for those without the and Division streets along The Campbell Memorial line up of entertainment, equipment. the Cut and situated Terrace is the Conservancy’s including rhythm and blues, around nine repurposed outdoor performance space rap and funk musical acts, Dequindre Cut Freight Yard shipping containers, the located along the Dequindre as well as poetry slams. The Dequindre Cut Freight fun and eclectic Freight Cut near the Lafayette Yard opened in May and Yard featured a biergarten, Street entrance. During the VOLUNTEERS The Detroit Riverfront Throughout 2018, With a relatively small as Riverfront Ambassadors, Conservancy is fortunate Conservancy volunteers full-time staff, the Conser- staffing information booths, to have a volunteer corps logged more than 6,800 vancy would not be able to leading kids’ arts and crafts that boasts more than 380 hours in service, with the provide the diverse offering activities, checking wrist- active members. That’s majority of those hours of special events and bands at events, handing significantly more than many taking place in the warmer programs along the river- out fliers, setting up events organizations that are twice weather months. The value front that it does without and assisting in the office. the size of the Conservancy. of the hours equate to the help of volunteers. The Conservancy salutes its Each year, those numbers more than $170,000 Throughout the year, volun- many dedicated volunteers. continue to grow. in service! teers can be found serving Thank you for all you do. Visit detroitriverfront.org/volunteers if you’d like to volunteer. 6 • 2018 ANNUAL REPORT OPERATIONS & SECURITY The Detroit Riverfront Meanwhile, the Security Conservancy would like to team works closely with all extend a huge “thank you” law enforcement agencies, to all the hardworking indi- including the Detroit Police viduals who make up the Department, Homeland riverfront Operations and Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Security teams. Completing Michigan State Police, routine year-round mainte- Wayne County Sheriff, U.S. nance tasks, the Conser- Border Patrol and General vancy’s Operations team Motors and Renaissance ensures that the RiverWalk Center security to ensure stays in tip-top shape that the riverfront is a safe for visitors. and secure destination for everyone. Despite the growing number of people Creating a safe, beautiful space on the riverfront for our community to gather who visit the riverfront each year, the Conser- is only possible thanks to our amazing operations team and our community of vancy’s Operations and annual supporters who help us fund their work. Security teams always rise to meet the challenge. – Cassie Brenske, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Chief Development Officer RALPH C. WILSON, JR. CENTENNIAL PARK Since 2017, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has been working hard along- side the Detroit community and world-renowned architects to reimagine West Riverfront Park into a beautiful, family-friendly oasis. West Riverfront Park, which spans 22 acres between Rosa Parks Boulevard and Eighth Street, has been renamed the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park in honor of the late Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Mr. Wilson’s namesake foundation has played an integral role in getting this project on its feet. In October 2018, the foundation extended its support in the form of a $50 million gift to further construction and long-term he creation of this new park will be one of the sustainability efforts along most significant public space projects undertaken the riverfront.