Upper detroit riverfront Parks habitat restoration project
A.B. Ford | Lakewood-East | Mariner
A dynamic international coastal waterfront
and
historically significant Detroit Neighborhood
Explore here
The Upper Detroit Riverfront Project area is approximately 1 mile long
A "hidden gem", A.B. Ford Park lies east of Downtown Detroit and serves as a recreation hub along the Detroit River. Photo Credit: Dotti Hannum
One of the historic canals dug by Jefferson-Chalmers residents in the 1920s to connect the neighborhood with the Detroit River. Photo Credit: Kaeleigh Herstad, Rust Belt Anthropology
The Upper Detroit Riverfront Project area is approximately 1 mile long
About
The Detroit River has been identified as one of 43 Areas of Concern (AOC) throughout the Great Lakes in the United States and Canada due to severe environmental degradation.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investing an estimated $250,000 into design efforts and $5 million into build and construction to restore the riverfront wetland habitats and increase wildlife and natural areas along the riverfront.
Project Goals
The broad objective of this project is to work with community members and other partners to evaluate and design habitat and wildlife restoration for approximately 1 mile of Detroit River and canal/creek shoreline, and restore approximately 30 acres of upland, wetland, and shoreline habitat.
Why Detroit?
These three sites are public park lands that offer realistic potential to significantly increase fish nursery and spawning habitat in the area and provide additional habitat for reptiles, amphibians, and breeding and migratory birds. This will be one of the few places along the Detroit River that is protected and preserved for habitat renewal. A restored site, along with improvements to park amenities and facilities will also provide better recreational access to the Detroit River.
Get Involved
We'd love to help you get involved learning about and advocating for the Upper Detroit Riverfront Parks and Habitat Restoration Project.
The project partners will be hosting a Community Open House on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Brutzel Family Recreation Center. This is an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the habitat's Conceptual Design Drafts. All feedback will be taken into account to complete the final plans, and construction in 2019
Upcoming Events
First Friend Group Meeting!
Join community members and the National Park Service April 19th, 6:00-7:30pm to discuss the development of a Parks' Stewardship Group!
Habitat Demonstration at Miliken State Park
As the first urban park in Michigan, William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor provides a 31-acre green oasis in the midst of downtown Detroit.
The first phase of the park - the harbor - opened to the public in 2004 and offers several covered picnic areas, shoreline fishing and a 52-slip harbor.
The second phase of the park opened on December 1, 2009 and includes a wetlands demonstration area that shows how wetlands act as nature's water filtration system. Interpretative signs explain how the wetland naturally cleans the water and then returns it to the Detroit River as clean water - without going to a wastewater treatment plant.
View Conceptual Design Plans!
Review The Community Engagement and Public Input Summary From 2016
Click Here
Visit Upper Detroit Riverfront Parks
Boat Watching
Soccer Field
Picnic Area
Fishing
Handicap Accessibility
Dog Friendly (Leashed)
Dog Walking
Natural Path Walking
Fishing
Pavilions
Picnic Areas
Bird Watching
Kayaking with Detroit River Sports
Playgrounds
Soccer Fields
Picnics
Fishing
Walking
Rollerblades
Restrooms
Dog Friendly (Leashed)
Handicap Accessibility