Another connecting greenway is officially under construction in Detroit. The Southwest Greenway, which will run from the upcoming Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park along the west riverfront to Bagley Street and Michigan Central, should be completed this fall.
This .67-mile greenway is a key connection in the Joe Louis Greenway, which ultimately will be a 27.5-mile trail around Detroit and into Highland Park, Hamtramck, and Dearborn.
The project costs $8 million and partners include the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the City of Detroit, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Michigan DNR and Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Walters Family Foundation.
“The Southwest Greenway will make it easy and fun for people living and working on the west side of Detroit to get to the Detroit Riverfront,” said Matt Cullen, chairman, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. “The Southwest Greenway will provide a similar experience to the Dequindre Cut. We are tremendously grateful for Michigan Central’s partnership in this project and all of our partners for working together to make this a reality.”
Michigan Central also announced a $5 million gift for the Southwest Greenway, which will connect to their mobility hub on Bagley near Michigan Central Station.
The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy also announced that construction will officially start at the Ralph Wilson Park next month. This park was announced in 2018 and was designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates. The 22-acre park will include a large play garden, basketball courts, a water garden, and an expansive lawn with room for events.
