Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and City of Detroit host community celebration along Dennis W. Archer Greenway

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and City of Detroit host community celebration along Dennis W. Archer Greenway

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the City of Detroit are inviting residents to celebrate the Mayor Dennis W. Archer Greenway with a community-focused event today, Thursday, August 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. The family-friendly celebration will feature numerous giveaways, music, food and snacks, hustle classes, mini-tennis lessons, a basketball clinic and more.

Formerly referred to as the Joseph Campau Greenway, the greenway was officially unveiled as the Mayor Dennis W. Archer Greenway in late July by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. It is located between McDougall and Chene streets and currently runs from Jefferson Avenue to Robert Bradby Drive. When complete, the entire greenway will connect from Jefferson Avenue to Vernor.

The $4.9-million, 1.2-mile greenway provides thousands of east side residents with safe and convenient access to Detroit’s internationally-acclaimed riverfront, which was named the best in the U.S. by USA Today earlier this year. The first phase of the greenway project began at the end of 2019 and opened to the public last year. The second phase of construction is expected to open in 2022.

The Archer Greenway celebration features activations between Robert Bradby Drive and Robert C. Valade Park, which is located along the riverfront at 2670 Atwater Street.

Activations at various locations include:

• Robert Bradby Dr. and the Archer Greenway - Mini tennis lessons, basketball clinics and free basketball giveaways, vendor tables with partners from Detroit Public Schools District and Detroit Parks and Rec DEN (Detroit Exploration and Nature Center), and DJ Z-Light.
• Between Lafayette and Larned Streets - Free hot dogs, inflatable games, The Healing Memorial making station, a decorate your bike station, and free Archer Greenway tote bags.
• Between Larned Street and Jefferson Avenue - Free hustle classes and tours of the Bagley Mansion
• Between Jefferson Avenue and Valade Park - Free beach towels at Valade Park, free popcorn and ice cream, photo booths, Mogo station and giveaways from Atwater Brewery.

“We are excited to introduce Detroit’s newest greenway to the community with this festive event,” said Rachel Frierson, director of programming for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. “Detroiters told the City of Detroit they wanted better connections to the riverfront and the Archer Greenway creates the ideal pedestrian commute from neighborhoods to the Riverwalk. This event will highlight and celebrate the Elmwood Park and Rivertown residents and businesses with a lively strolling event, so come and check it out.”

Local businesses on Jefferson Avenue and Joseph Campau Street will participate, giving this a true block party feel from Robert Bradby Drive down to the riverfront.

No registration is needed for this free event. Masks are encouraged for all participants.

The Archer Greenway features a 10-foot-wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists, new benches and lighting, security cameras and call boxes, electrical power stations, several play areas for children, mile markers, green infrastructure to avoid flooding and beautiful landscaping. The greenway will be managed by the City’s General Services Department and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

For more details, visit detroitriverfront.org/archergreenwaycelebration 

About the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 with the mission to develop public access to Detroit’s riverfront and serve as an anchor for economic development. As the permanent stewards of the Riverwalk and the Dequindre Cut, the Conservancy is responsible for raising the funds needed for construction, operation, maintenance, security and programming of the public spaces located along the riverfront. The ultimate vision is for the Conservancy to develop five-and-a-half miles of riverfront from the Ambassador Bridge on the west to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle. Visit detroitriverfront.org for more information.

Contact:
Chiara C. Clayton, [email protected]