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West Riverfront Park Design Competition: Public Exhibition

Feb 10, 2018 - 11:00am to Feb 11, 2018 - 7:45pm

This event occurs every day until Fri Feb 23 2018.

From February 10 - February 22nd at 1001 Woodward, we invite you to join us for the public exhibit of the West Riverfront Park Design Competition from the 4 design team finalists. These conceptual drawings will help guide the Conservancy in the redevelopment of West Riverfront.

The West Riverfront Park Design Competition was announced in June of last year, and has since drawn interest nationally and internationally from leading landscape architects and design professionals. After receiving 22 responses to the request for qualifications and shortlisting eight teams for interviews, four teams have been selected as finalists to advance to the Competition round.

The West Riverfront Park Design Competition incorporates a unique community-led design process in which the public has been encouraged to share their ideas and input all throughout the project. In addition to hosting several community meetings, the Conservancy assembled a Community Advisory Team (CAT) made up of every-day Detroiters who visited public places in world-class cities like Chicago, New York and Philadelphia so that they could report back on their experiences. CAT members will be on hand to engage with visitors when the public gets another chance to see the renderings and models during a public exhibition from February 10- 22. The exhibition takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1001 Woodward in downtown Detroit.

The four design firms, whose notable projects include Maggie Daley Park in Chicago, the Lurie Garden at Millennium Park, also in Chicago, the High Line in New York City and de Young Museum Gardens in San Francisco, are among the most well-respected and innovative firms in the world. Numerous Detroit or Michigan-based firms are represented among the teams as well. The four principal firms include:

Gustafson Guthrie Nichol (GGN), in collaboration with Arup and Guy Nordenson and Associates. Local partners include Rossetti (Detroit), Conservation Design Forum (Grand Rapids), Building Community Value (Detroit), Salonnière (Detroit), and Mannik Smith Group (Detroit). GGN is a landscape architecture firm based in Seattle. Notable projects include the National Museum of African America History and Culture (Washington, DC) and the Lurie Garden at Millennium Park in Chicago.

Hood Design Studio (HDS), in collaboration with Diller Scofidio + Renfro, West 8, Richter, Arup, Fluidity, Ken Greenberg, Lotus Water, Altus and Culture Lab (Detroit). HDS is based in Oakland, California. Notable projects include the de Young Museum Gardens in San Francisco and the Coastlines in Wilmington, California.

James Corner Field Operations, in collaboration with nArchitects, Sherwood Design Engineers, Milton Fearn, HR&A Advisors, Ann Zoller / Strategy Design Partners, ETM Associates and CMS Cost Management Services. Local partners include Austell Associates (Bloomfield Hills), Detroit Collaborative Design Center (Detroit), Giffels Webster (Detroit) and AKT Peerless (Farmington). James Corner Field Operations is a landscape architecture, public realm and urban design firm based in New York City. Notable projects include the High Line in New York and South Park Plaza at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), in collaboration with Utile and Mobility in Chain (MIC). Local partners include LimnoTech (Ann Arbor), PEA (Detroit) and NTH Consultants (Northville). MVVA is a landscape architecture based firm based in Brooklyn, New York. Notable projects include Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn and Maggie Daley Park in Chicago.

The site where West Riverfront Park is located was privately owned and closed to the public for nearly 100 years until the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy purchased the property and opened the park in 2014. Since then, the park has become a popular destination for people to enjoy the outdoors and striking views of the Detroit and the Windsor skylines. The park has also been the site of several large-scale concerts.

A $345,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation made the West Riverfront Park Design Competition possible. The grant comes from the foundation’s “Livable Communities” focus area that seeks to create strong and sustainable communities by supporting parks, trails and green design.

In addition to the support received from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for the design competition, riverfront planning is made possible by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, FORD/UAW, the City of Detroit, Hudson Webber Foundation, the Knight Foundation, the Kresge Foundation and the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Click here to access a gallery of design renderings

Click here to access the #FutureParkDetroit video

Read more about West Riverfront Park Design Competition: Public Exhibition

HarvestFest on the Dequindre Cut

Oct 21, 2017 - 12:45pm to Oct 22, 2017 - 3:45pm

Event Type : Festivals

Read more about HarvestFest on the Dequindre Cut

Light Up the Riverfront

Jun 08, 2017 - 6:00pm to Jun 09, 2017 - 9:45pm

Event Type : Festivals

Rivière28 is delighted to kick of their 2017 season of summer parties to benefit the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, by inviting you to Light Up the Riverfront at 6 p.m. on June 8. This casual summer barbeque brings together hundreds of (metro) Detroiters from all walks of life, along the river’s edge at Gabriel Richard Park.

As the sun sets, attendees “light up” the riverfront with bonfires and sparklers, creating a brilliant display set against the backdrop of the MacArthur Bridge and Belle Isle State Park. Barbeque fans will delight as Smokey G serves up mouth-watering portions of pulled pork sliders, grilled corn on the cob and cowboy baked beans, while the United States Bartenders Guild pours thirst-quenching craft mocktail mixers.

Guests are encouraged to BYOB (bring their own booze and blankets). All food, mocktails, life-sized yard games, bike valet provided by Wheelhouse Detroit and “light-up” elements are included in the ticket price.

Online registration is closed. Tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

Read more about Light Up the Riverfront

Detroit Touch-a-Truck

May 20, 2017 - 10:00am to May 21, 2017 - 2:45pm

Event Type : Family/Kids

West Riverfront Park will feature some heavy-duty metal on Saturday, May 20 as the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy hosts the third annual Touch-a-Truck!

Touch-a-Truck is a FREE hands-on family event that will provide children with the opportunity to explore large vehicles of all types, including those used by professionals in construction, public safety, transportation, landscaping and other industries.

Children will be allowed to get behind the wheel of these vehicles and meet the people who help to build, protect, beautify and serve our community. Crafts, and games will also be part of the day’s entertainment.

Interested in providing a vehicle for the event? Contact the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy at info@detroitriverfront.org for more information.

Touch-A-Truck will take place at our brand new West Riverfront Park, located just west of Joe Louis Arena at 1801 W. Jefferson. The new West RiverWalk, located between 8th street and Rosa Parks along Jefferson and the Detroit River’s edge, features 20 plus acres of lush greenspace, a 30-foot extra wide path, benches, security call boxes and our iconic marine railing. This location is ideal for large events or recreation activities such as fishing and biking.

More than 25 vehicles on display
Arts & Crafts
Free family fun
Get up close to large vehicles
Meet emergency and service personnel

All children must be accompanied by a parent grandparent or legal guardian who will be required to sign a Release & Waiver on-site for each participating child.

Pre-registration is now closed. However, all attendees are welcome to register onsite! Avoid the lines and click the button below to download your participation waiver!
Touch-A-Truck Waiver

Read more about Detroit Touch-a-Truck

Riverfront Run sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Jun 10, 2017 - 8:30am to Jun 11, 2017 - 11:45am

Event Type : Sports Activities

The much-anticipated Riverfront Run sponsored by Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Michigan will be held on June 10, 2017, this 5K & 10K run and walk showcases the Detroit RiverWalk and Milliken State Park, and provide a healthy, fun experience for participants. Proceeds benefit the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, the stewards of Detroit’s historic and international RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut Greenway.

The Riverfront Run sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan includes both a 5K run/walk and a 10K run. All participants will receive a performance T-shirt, a commemorative medal and a one-day admission pass to the Conservancy’s upcoming Detroit River Days festival. Early Bird Registration for the 5K run/walk is $30 per participant. The 10K run is $40 per person. (if registered by 5/9/17) Registration will increase to $35 for the 5K and $45 for the 10K after 5/9/17)

Winners: The top female and top male participants in each age group will receive a special award! Award grouped by age: 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+

Parking: Free parking will be available at the River East garage located at the corner of Rivard and Atwater St. across from the race start line. Parking will be available to all participants between 6 AM-12 PM. Cars must exit the structure by 12 PM. Due to street closures for the race, we suggest all participants arrive onsite by 8:30.

Race Route: Click here for a course map!

Packet Pick up: Packet pickup will be Thursday, June 8th from 12-7PM at the Run Detroit store located 441 W. Canfield, Detroit MI 48201. You may also pick up your packet on Race Day, at Rivard Plaza, the race start and finish line, between 7:30-8:20 for the 10k, and 7:30-8:50 for the 5k.

Free parking will be available race day at the River East garage located at the corner of Rivard and Atwater St. across from the race start line. Parking will be available to all participants between 6AM- 12PM. Cars must exit the structure by 12 PM. Due to street closures for the race, we suggest all participants arrice onsite by 8:30.

Can't make the race but still want to participate? Check out our Virtual Race option.

How it works-

Step 1- Register online for the 5K or the 10K. There is an option for choosing the Virtual Run on the registration website.

Step 2 - Your shirt, bib, & finisher medal will be mailed to you between June 10 - June 17. Virtual run participants not eligible for packet pick up.

Step 3 - Run your Virtual 5K or 10K anytime/anywhere between June 1 - June 17. (Ex. treadmill, favorite park, on the RiverWalk on a different day)

Note - Virtual Racers are not eligible for race awards and there is an additional $5 shipping and handling fee.

Click for 2017 Race Results

Read more about Riverfront Run sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

#GivingTuesday

Tuesday, Nov 29, 2016 - 12:00am to 11:45pm

November 29, 2016

What is #GivingTuesday?

Occurring this year on November 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick-off the holiday giving season, and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

Last year, more than 45,000 organizations in 71 countries came together to celebrate #GivingTuesday. Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities. We invite you to join the movement by making a gift this November 29th!