Issue 16 • Quarter 2 • 2022
A MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP Dear Friends, It’s been a fun and vibrant summer along the Detroit Riverwalk, which has been named the best in America by USA Today for two years in a row. We had a wonderful time when Al Roker brought the Today Show to Cullen Plaza to deliver six live weather reports from our “neck of the woods.” An enthusiastic crowd of Detroiters turned out to welcome Al and to show their love of the Detroit Riverfront in front of a national audience of 16 million people. This summer, our visitors have enjoyed weekly free programs including yoga, Tai Chi, herbal walk and talks, Riverwalkers, and Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront. Special events like our Riverfront Run, Kids Fishing
Fest and our Shimmer on the River fundraiser have introduced new visitors to the riverfront. We are nearly complete with the final connection of the East Riverfront, which will connect Mt. Elliott Park to Gabriel Richard Park and make it easy for people to get from the Riverwalk onto the Belle Isle Bridge. And we celebrated the groundbreaking for the Southwest Greenway and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park this spring. What’s next? This fall, our programming team will be hosting some of the most fun events in the city, including Soirée on the Greenway and the Detroit Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally. More and more people are falling in love with the BBQ at Smoky G’s
Smokehouse and Geisha Girl’s Sushi, and the bars at Cullen Plaza, Robert C. Valade Park, and the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard are always full of people enjoying local refreshments. The riverfront continues to welcome people from all walks of life every day, while our team at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is making tremendous progress on completing our vision. We couldn’t do what we do without your support. I hope to see you all along the Detroit Riverfront soon. Will Smith Chief Financial Officer