City of Detroit adds more beauty to Joe Louis Greenway with six new murals selected by neighbors along path

• Murals are located along Joe Louis Greenway between Warren Gateway Park and I-96
• Local businesses donated wall space and community members helped select mural designs
• Phase 2 of beautification project expected to include murals on the north end of greenway
• This beautification project aligns with Mayor Duggan’s Blight to Beauty initiative

The City of Detroit is celebrating the completion of six beautiful new murals along the Joe Louis Greenway to add to the beauty being created along the new recreational trail.  Businesses between Greenway’s Warren Gateway Park and I-96 volunteered their walls for this beautification project. 

City Walls Detroit worked with the JLG Landscaping Design Unit to identify the six walls and members of the community selected the murals, which were painted by local artists.  This $90,000 project was funded by a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) beautification grant.

“The Joe Louis Greenway is transforming vacant blighted land into a beautiful recreational trail for Detroiters to enjoy and this mural project is adding another layer of beauty that residents themselves were able to select,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “This is another way the greenway is bringing people together and strengthening neighborhoods in new ways.”  

The Joe Louis Greenway is a 30-mile recreational trail under construction in Detroit that will connect 23 city neighborhoods and connect Detroit to the communities of Dearborn, Hamtramck and Highland Park.   Approximately 3 miles of the greenway have been completed and another 7 miles are currently under construction.

"These stunning pieces reflect not only the creativity of our talented artists but also the voices and visions of the community members who selected them,” Leona Medley, Executive Director of the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, stated. "This project is more than just beautification; it's a heartfelt expression of our shared love for this city and a reminder that when we come together, we can create spaces that inspire hope and connection for generations to come."

The vision for this project was to connect neighbors along the greenway by having a collective say on the artwork created in their space and provide inspiration to envision a positive future for themselves and their children. In July 2023, artists were selected through an open bid process. Community members reviewed applications and sketches before picking the final six artists. Phase 2 of this project will include murals on the north end of JLG.

One of murals were painted on the back of Greater Southern Baptist Church.

“The murals along the Joe Louis Greenway promote healing and well-being. They provide beauty in everyday spaces, transforming underutilized walls into sources of joy and reflection. For many, these artworks serve as a daily reminder of the strength and unity of Detroit’s neighborhoods,” said Greater Southern Baptist Church’s pastor Darryl Moore.

“I grew up on Northlawn and Fullerton so it’s a privilege to give back to my community in this way,” said artist Marlo Broughton. “I take pride in sharing colorful stories through the medium of painting.”

About Joe Louis Greenway Partnership

The Joe Louis Greenway Partnership is a 501C3 organization whose purpose is making the JLG a space that celebrates the strength and resilience of its surrounding communities through inclusive programming, ongoing beautification, and intentional community engagement.