Detroit Greenways Study
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Building the Riverfront Greenway The State of Greenway Investments Along the Detroit River The vision of a continuous greenway along future projects. In fact, many additional the Detroit River seemed like a dream only a projects are already in the planning and few years ago. But today, communities and design process. businesses in Greater Detroit are redefining their relationship to the river and champion- There is a growing desire to increase access ing linked greenways along its entire length to the Detroit River as communities and — from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie, across to organizations work to overcome the historical Canada, and up key tributaries like the Rouge, separation from the river caused by a nearly Ecorse, and Huron rivers. continuous wall of commercial development. Now, trails and walkways are being Working in partnership with the Metropoli- incorporated along the river, improving the tan Affairs Coalition and other stakeholders, aesthetic appearance of the shoreline and the Greater Detroit American Heritage River reaping the resulting recreational, ecological, Initiative has identified linked greenways as and economic benefits. In its mission to one of its top six priorities. This report create linked riverfront greenways, the Greater presents 14 such projects, all of which have Detroit American Heritage River Initiative begun or been completed since June 1999. is actively partnering with the many organi- zations that share this vision, including the When all fourteen greenways projects are com- Greenways Initiative of the Community pleted, they will be unique destinations that Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, link open spaces, protect natural and cultural the Automobile National Heritage Area and resources, and offer many picturesque views the Canadian Heritage River Initiative. of Detroit’s great American Heritage River. Together, they will go a long way toward The Detroit River has been rediscovered as enhancing the region’s quality of life and an incredible asset and a key element for making it more attractive to residents, visitors, enhancing the quality of life of the metropoli- and businesses. tan area. A transformation of the riverfront is underway, as linked greenways become a And these fourteen projects are just the reality and establish a unique legacy for beginning. By celebrating these recent achieve- future generations. ments, this report aspires to be a catalyst for © Metropolitan Affairs Coalition 2001 A Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition Project i Detroit River 1 1 Greenways 2 3 5 4 6 8 7 Project Locations 1 Maheras/Gentry Park 2 UAW-GM Riverfront Joint Training Center 9 3 Saint Aubin Marina/East Riverfront Greenway 10 4 General Motors Global Headquarters 5 Detroit Riverfront Promenade Improvement Project 6 Riverside Park Promenade 7 Port Authority Public Dock and Passenger Terminal 8 Rouge River Gateway Project/Oxbow Restoration 11 9 River Rouge’s Belanger Park 12 10 Lincoln Park’s Council Point Park 13 11 Trenton’s Linked Riverfront Parks Project 12 Wayne County’s Elizabeth Park Riverwalk 13 Grosse Ile Greenways 14 14 Brownstown’s Woodruff Corridor Bike Path ii Building the Riverfront Greenway Table of Contents Maheras/Gentry Park .......................................................................................................... 2 UAW-GM Riverfront Joint Training Center .............................................................. 4 Saint Aubin Marina/East Riverfront Greenway ...................................................... 6 General Motors Global Headquarters ..................................................................... 8 Detroit Riverfront Promenade Improvement Project ................................. 10 Riverside Park Promenade.......................................................................................... 12 Port Authority Public Dock and Passenger Terminal................................... 14 Rouge River Gateway Project/Oxbow Restoration ................................... 16 River Rouge’s Belanger Park ...................................................................................... 18 Lincoln Park’s Council Point Park ............................................................................. 20 Trenton’s Linked Riverfront Parks Project ......................................................... 22 Wayne County’s Elizabeth Park Riverwalk ............................................................ 24 Grosse Ile Greenways .................................................................................................... 26 Brownstown’s Woodruff Corridor Bike Path...................................................... 28 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................ 30 A Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition Project 1 Detroit’s Maheras/Gentry Park Improvement Project The Maheras/Gentry Park Improvement On the island, benches are planned for Project presents a distinctive opportunity to visitors to relax and enjoy views of the park enhance fish habitat and improve recreational and river among natural prairie plantings. trails in an historic urban waterfront park, Trees will be added to the pond area of while addressing stormwater and sanitary the park to provide visitors with shade. Inter- sewer concerns upstream in Conner Creek, a pretive signage at various locations will explain small tributary to the Detroit River. Covering the intent of the pond, the ecology of the 53-acres, Maheras/Gentry Park is unique wetland plantings and fish habitat, as well among Detroit Recreation Department’s as the importance of the freighters on the riverside parks, being the largest of four Detroit River. parks upstream of Conner Creek, as well as a designated City of Detroit Historic District. The project area encompasses approximately 8.5 acres of the south end of the park and is This $2.3 million project includes a perimeter designed to provide much needed fish habitat sidewalk that will link the park’s features, along this highly developed stretch of the including a substantial pond with an island Detroit River. The creation of a substantial formed by inlets to the Detroit River, a scenic pond with an island and inlets to the Detroit overlook, and barrier-free fishing access points. River will allow water and fish to circulate The overlook will be furnished with benches, through the pond and improve fishing access picnic tables, and a picnic shelter. The side- and park amenities where few recreational walk will lead visitors around the pond to the activities exist. bridges that bring pedestrians onto the island. Views of present day Maheras/Gentry Park. 2 Building the Riverfront Greenway MAHERAS PARK PARKING OVERLOOK FISH HABITAT NATURAL ISLAND DETROIT RIVER MAHERAS PARK FISH HABITAT MITIGATION Rendering prepared for Detroit Water and Sewerage Department by Hamilton Anderson Associates, and Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. The pond will be sculpted with a deep water The Maheras/Gentry Park fish habitat miti- hole and shallow shelves along the banks. gation is being undertaken as a Michigan Plantings of wetland vegetation and the addi- Department of Environmental Quality re- tion of underwater shelters made from tree quirement to mitigate the habitat loss root masses will improve fish habitat and cre- resulting from constructing the Conner Creek ate fish spawning and nursery areas. Stone Pilot Combined Sewer Overflow Control blocks, boulders, and wildflower plantings are Facility. Detroit Water and Sewerage Depart- design elements for the area surrounding the ment is funding the entire $2.3 million cost pond. Stone blocks will be placed in a stair- of the Maheras/Gentry Park project. Creation way fashion creating flat surfaces that will of the fish habitat will occur during the allow people to access the water’s edge. construction of the Conner Creek Pilot Combined Sewer Overflow Control Facility, which will begin by December 31, 2000 and is to be completed by December 31, 2004. A Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition Project 3 UAW-GM Riverfront Joint Training Center The International Union, United Auto Work- previously housed in three separate suburban ers (UAW) and General Motors Corporation locations. The UAW-GM joint programs and (GM) are collaborating on an exciting, new activities that will be run from the complex riverfront development that will enhance ef- are directed toward providing work-related, forts to create a system of linked riverfront family-related, and employee educational- greenways extending from the MacArthur development information and assistance to Bridge at Belle Isle to the Ambassador Bridge. approximately 140,000 UAW-represented GM workers. In early 2001, the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources is opening a modern Since 1984, GM and the UAW have commit- education and training complex with 900 feet ted approximately $3 billion toward education of riverfront greenway on 16 acres of land and training, making the UAW-GM Center between Atwater Street and the Detroit River. for Human Resources the largest privately This state-of-the-art office complex will serve funded educational program in the world. In as the national headquarters for UAW-GM its new location, the UAW-GM Center for joint programs and activities focused on health Human Resources proudly takes a place in the and safety, training and skill development,