Issue 9 • Fall/Winter 2019 RIVERFRONT PROGRESS CONTINUES he Detroit Riverfront has Next year, we begin our busiest philanthropic emerged as one of the construction season yet. In 2020, dollars biggest success stories in we will complete the boardwalk at throughout our region. Attracting more Riverfront Towers and we will continue our community Tthan three million visitors each year, connecting the Riverwalk from the Joe with the goal it has become a beautiful gathering Louis Arena site to the edge of Ralph C. of improving place for our entire community. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park. Later in the our great city. year, we will break ground on Ralph C. This holiday This fall, we transformed another Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park and the season, please formerly blighted space along the May Creek Greenway. consider making a gift to help us riverfront into Robert C. Valade Park. maintain the riverfront parks and This new park provides a tremendous While 2020 will be a busy year for greenways as safe, accessible and destination along the East Riverfront construction, we are also looking beautiful destinations for all of us, and will feature programming through- forward to a continued expansion and for generations to come. out the year. Valade Park includes a of our programming and operations bridge that connects Stroh River Place activities. As the perpetual steward Every donation makes a difference. with the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre of this special place, the Conservancy This work is only possible because and brings us closer to a completed maintains and operates the Riverwalk of your generosity. Thank you for Riverwalk along the East Riverfront. We and the Dequindre Cut. Our work never supporting our mission and for believing encourage you to stop by and see this ends… and it is a costly endeavor. in the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. incredible addition to the Riverwalk. There are numerous worthy organizations Matthew P. Cullen And if it’s snowing, bring your sled! and causes requesting and soliciting Chairman INTRODUCING ROBERT C. VALADE PARK The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s latest family-friendly park has officially opened along the Detroit River. And judging from the feedback so far, Robert C. Valade Park is sure to become one of the most popular destinations along the riverfront. ocated at 2670 Atwater Street, The public’s first chance to experience the community who were anxious to just east of the Aretha Franklin the new destination came on Saturday, check out the new park. Amphitheatre, the park October 26 as the Conservancy hosted its More than 1500 people came to the features an expansive, sandy popular HarvestFest Detroit celebration event and enjoyed trick-or-treating Lbeach with chairs and lots of and umbrellas, a family-friendly children’s musical “Hosting HarvestFest Detroit at Robert C. Valade activities including garden, colorful Park this year was a wonderful opportunity for the hayrides, face playscapes for community to experience this exciting destination painting, bounce kids to climb on, a during one of our most popular events.” houses, meet-and- community barbe- – Rachel Frierson, director of programming greet and photo cue pavilion and opportunities Bob’s Barge, which with superhero is Detroit’s only floating bar. The park is at the new park. Typically the event is and princess characters, live music, a also home to The Shed, a 3,600-square- held along the Dequindre Cut, but the pumpkin patch, games, giveaways and foot building that will be used for food, location was moved this year because much more. events and programming. there were so many people throughout 2 ROBERT C. VALADE PARK “It gave us a chance to see how the parties, winter activities and more. Foundation, which selected the project community interacts with the new as one its 2017 Knight Cities Challenge The park’s name celebrates native space so we can better identify winners, the Walters Family Foundation, Detroiter and former Carhartt, Inc. and activate future programming and the Mona and Richard Alonzo Chairman and CEO Robert C. Valade, opportunities,” said Rachel Frierson, Fund. The Conservancy also received and is in recognition of a gift to the director of programming. a grant for the project from Gannett/ Conservancy from the Molly and Mark USA Today Network as part of the The Conservancy plans to have Robert Valade Family Fund. “A Community Thrives” initiative, which C. Valade Park programmed all year The project has also been supported supports programs that positively impact long. Future programs include volleyball by the William Davidson Foundation, local communities. leagues, movies in the park, senior hustle the John S. and James L. Knight 3 SUMMER MEMORIES ON THE RIVERFRONT Once again, the summer season saw an exceptional turnout of visitors along the Detroit Riverfront. To kick off the summer, River Faith Evans converged at West children get excited about Days returned for its 13th Riverfront Park. reading. This year, R3 served consecutive year - but with a Sponsored by General Motors, more than 4,300 kids and their new location and style. More one of our most popular events families through interactive than 100 food trucks and over 40 every year is Reading & Rhythm children’s entertainment and local and national acts, including on the Riverfront (R3), an early stories read live by community Smokey Robinson, Brandy and literacy program to help leaders like Congresswoman 4 SUMMER MEMORIES ON THE RIVERFRONT Debbie Dingell, THAW President Freight Yard. For adult visitors, local artists. Additionally, the Saunteel Jenkins and GM’s Terry the Freight Yard now holds a Conservancy partnered with Rhadigan. All children in attendance permanent liquor license and a local non-profits, such as enjoyed a free ride on the Cullen wide selection of beer and wines D.Cipher and Detroit Party Family Carousel and were sent are available for purchase. The Marching Band to host events, home with a free book, courtesy Freight Yard featured 16 weeks of inviting the community to gather of the Detroit Public Library. programming, including live among the shipping containers Outdoor fun returned again music, kids dance parties and to support worthy causes. this year to the Dequindre Cut vendor fairs selling works by 5 SOIRÉE 2019 A MASQUERADE AT THE FREIGHT YARD After a stormy afternoon, the clouds parted and gave way to an atmosphere of excitement and adventure at the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy celebrated its popular Soirée on the Greenway fundraiser on Friday the 13th of September under the light of a full moon. Presented by Citizens Bank, the 7th annual Soirée drew Between CANVASxDetroit interactive graffiti experience, 500 guests for an evening of fall-themed food and drink. liquid nitrogen ice cream demonstrations by Dr. Nitro and In keeping with tradition, the Conservancy commissioned pedal-powered animal bikes from Juan Martinez, this year’s a new work of art to unveil at the event as Detroit’s own Soirée was once again a night to remember. Additionally, Freddy Diaz created a mural as a tribute to the artists local chocolatiers Bon Bon Bon hosted a Build Your Own who painted on the Bon activity in which Dequindre Cut before guests could build its transformation into their own chocolate a community greenway. masterpieces. Attendees came This year’s Soirée in their favorite helped the Conservancy masquerade costume to raise more than and, to top it off, $75,000 to ensure one-of-a-kind masks that the Riverwalk created by artists from and Dequindre Cut across the country continue to be safe were provided to and beautiful spaces the first 100 guests, for everyone to enjoy. compliments of Ford Motor Company. 6 A MASQUERADE AT THE FREIGHT YARD “Citizens Bank is proud to return as presenting sponsor for Soirée on the Greenway. The work that the Conservancy is doing along the riverfront is crucial to boosting the economic vitality of the Detroit community and their efforts are bringing together people from all corners of the city.” – Rick Hampson, president of Citizens Bank, Michigan 7 DONOR SPOTLIGHT: HONORING ROBERT C. VALADE In August of this past summer, the Detroit Riverfront associated with a Conservancy announced that Atwater Beach would be part of the cultural renamed Robert C. Valade Park. The park is named in and recreational devel- honor of the late Robert C. Valade, former chairman and opment on the Detroit CEO of Carhartt, Inc., and is in recognition of a gift from River,” said Mark. “Our hope is that this park offers a the Molly and Mark Valade Family Fund. destination for families to get outdoors, spend time together and experience the city in a new way.” “My dad loved the City of Detroit and above all, he enjoyed being out on the water,” said Mark Valade, CEO of Carhartt, The newly-opened Robert C. Valade Park has several Inc. “He had a unique features passion for sailing, that make it a stand- power boating and “I know my dad would be proud to have his name associated out destination fishing. The Detroit with a part of the cultural and recreational development on the riverfront, Riverfront and on the Detroit River. Our hope is that the park offers a including a sandy Lake St. Clair were destination for families to get outdoors, spend time together beach, barbecue the best places and experience the city in a new way.” pavilion, children’s to do all of his – Mark Valade, CEO of Carhartt, Inc. playscapes, “Bob’s favorite activities.” Barge” floating bar and The Shed, Born in Detroit, Robert Valade began his career with which offers space for programming and a place to get Carhartt in 1949 in the shipping department.