East Riverfront

Robert C. Valade Park is the newest park to open along the East Riverfront.   It features an expansive, sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas, a children’s musical garden, colorful play scapes for kids to climb on, a community barbecue pavilion and Bob’s Barge, which is Detroit’s only floating bar each summer.  The park is also home to The Shed, a 3,600-square-foot building that will be used for food, events and programming.  During winter Valade Park will feature over-sized outdoor fire places, hot drinks, marshmallow roasters, the Sled Shed (featuring free sleds when it snows), synthetic ice curling, and more.

Feeling Hungry? Visit the Café at Valade featuring takeout from great local small business Smokey G's Smokehouse.
Café at Valade will be serving coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hours listed below.

Café at Valade Hours - Smokey G's Smokehouse

• Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Bar Hours 

 The Shed Bar

• Friday 4 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bob's Barge is closed for the season.

Formerly known as Atwater Beach, the Robert C. Valade Park project has transformed an industrial site along the East Riverfront into an exciting park that people of all ages will enjoy. Most recently, the 3.2-acre parcel was used as a buoy storage yard and a cement factory.  The park completes a series of family-oriented parks along the East Riverfront, each located approximately a 10-minute walk from each other.  Robert C. Valade Park includes an important bridge along the RiverWalk, which connects Stroh River Place to Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, two of the most popular destinations along the riverfront.

The park’s official name celebrates native Detroiter and former Carhartt, Inc. Chairman and CEO Robert C. Valade, and is in recognition of a gift to the Conservancy from the Molly and Mark Valade Family Fund.

The project has been supported by a diverse group of leaders, including the William Davidson Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which selected the project as one its 2017 Knight Cities Challenge winners, the Walters Family Foundation, and the Mona and Richard Alonzo Fund. The Conservancy also received a grant for the project from Gannett/USA Today Network as part of the “A Community Thrives” initiative, which supports programs that positively impact local communities.

Robert C. Valade Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Free parking is available across from the park in a gravel lot located at the corner of Chene and Guoin (enter on Gouin). Additional parking is available on nearby streets and lots. Please follow all posted parking direction signage.

Valade Park is not available for rentals, and use of the community grill area is first come first serve, you may not hold tables. There is no outside alcohol allowed at Valade Park, or on the Detroit Riverwalk. 

Learn more about Winter at Valade