Detroit RiverFront Conservancy
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Mission Statement
The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy was launched in 2003 in an effort to reclaim our city's greatest natural asset - its riverfront. With the support of corporations, foundations, and local government, the Conservancy began the work of developing a world-class public gathering place that would serve as an anchor for economic revitalization. The vision for the Detroit RiverWalk encompasses 5.5 miles from the Belle Isle Bridge to the Ambassador Bridge and is 65% complete. We also program and maintain the 1.5-mile Dequindre Cut Greenway that runs north from the river to Mack, serving as both a gateway and connector to neighborhoods such as Eastern Market, Midtown, and Lafayette Park. The Conservancy has established an impressive legacy of stewardship, providing 3 million annual riverfront visitors with a clean, safe, and inviting gathering space. We also present a full and active schedule of year-round public programming, most of which is provided free-of-charge.
About This Cause
Mission and Goals The mission of the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy is to transform Detroit's international riverfront - the face of the city - into a world-class gathering place for all: beautiful, exciting, safe, accessible, and welcoming. The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy (DRFC) is a 501(c)(3) organization responsible for the establishment, improvement, operation, maintenance, security, programming and expansion of the Detroit RiverWalk and associated green spaces. Through its public/private partnerships, the DRFC supports the development of the riverfront district and facilitates community access to the waterfront. To support this mission, the DRFC works to: • Develop a collective sense of ownership, accessibility, and responsibility. • Enhance Detroit's image by emphasizing its iconic, international riverfront. • Create and maintain an inviting destination for all. The vision for the Detroit RiverWalk encompasses 5.5 miles divided into two phases: • The East Riverfront, comprising 3.5 miles of waterfront from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the MacArthur Bridge, is 80% complete and includes three plazas and two significant fountains. • The West Riverfront encompasses two additional miles of RiverWalk from Joe Louis Arena to the Ambassador Bridge, and includes the 20-acre West Riverfront Park. The Conservancy also maintains and programs the Dequindre Cut Greenway, a 2-mile path that runs north from the river to Mack Avenue. The Dequindre Cut is a gateway to the riverfront, and connects Eastern Market, Lafayette Park, and Midtown, three districts within the City recognized for their historical significance and current rate of growth. The Dequindre Cut and RiverWalk have become leading signs of the transformation of Detroit, and point the way to an even brighter future These public spaces are often held up as examples of the progress that the Southeast Michigan community can make when business, community, and civic leaders come together behind a common goal. As a product of this collaborative spirit, the Detroit Riverfront has become a source of pride and admiration both for residents and visitors to the city. Programming Throughout the year, the Conservancy maintains a robust programming calendar, which engages local Detroiters and welcomes Southeast Michigan residents to the city. The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy focuses on four program area: Art & Culture, Family Fun, Education & Environment, and Health & Wellness. Some of the most popular programs offered by the Conservancy include: • Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront is an extraordinary literacy program that aims to positively impact the lives of nearly 4,000 children age 2 – 9 annually from throughout southeast Michigan. This interactive, family-oriented program provides musical education and literacy resources while exposing children to a welcoming outdoor environment in their community. A partnership with the Detroit Public Library allows each child to take a book home to build their own private library. • Yoga and Tai Chi classes are offered free throughout the summer, including the very popular “glowga” events that take place at sunset. • “Live the Riverfront” (LTR) is a new approach to riverfront programming in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. LTR provides a series of healthy, fun, and affordable activities on the RiverWalk including “Walk the Riverfront Wednesdays," a regular Wednesday event that offers incentives for participants to “get up and get active” on the riverfront throughout the spring and summer. This partnership has garnered significant media coverage and also resulted in a new “fitness park” on the Dequindre Cut that offers users free use of outdoor exercise equipment. • DMC (Detroit Medical Center) Riverwalkers is a group of DMC patients 1,000+-strong who walk the riverfront weekly to stay healthy – including the bump in emotional health they gain through regular social interaction with friends. • Kids Fishing Fest brings 500-750 family members from Southeast Michigan to learn about fishing and the Detroit River Ecosystem -- and to fish. Children are provided with fishing instruction, snacks, free pole rental, bait, and giveaways that spark their interest in fishing and the outdoors. • The Conservancy’s conservation programs provide visitors and residents the opportunity to learn about conservation in their own community. These programs include an Herbal Walk and Talk, Birding Tours, and Rain Barrel and Recycling workshops. • Touch-A-Truck is a national programming initiative to expose children to the vehicles and professionals in the service, emergency, and construction fields. This free hands-on family event serves approximately 1,500 participants annually and is the only program of its kind in the City of Detroit. • Harvest Fest in the D is a free Halloween “trick or treat” event for children and families, offering a huge outdoor LED movie screen playing movies and cartoons, airbrush tattoos, hay rides, and other activities in a fun and safe environment. The Conservancy has a robust social and traditional media infrastructure, and our programs are promoted through fliers, social media, email, and our website. We leverage media relationships with partner organizations, and we have been very successful in marketing our programming throughout the Southeast Michigan region. Economic Development Our investment in public space along the Detroit River has yielded significant returns in economic development. The $140 million investment in the RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut stimulated $1 billion of private investment in the first 10 years of the organization, and we have seen $243 million invested in the riverfront over the past 3 years. A recent independent study conducted by Conventions, Sports & Leisure International indicated that the "new and improved" riverfront has spurred close to 17,000 jobs with an additional $1 billion-plus in projected investment and spending. The study also estimated annual consumer spending along the riverfront at $43.7 million, with related annual tax revenue estimated at $4.5 million. Visioning The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy has led efforts to develop a vision for the future of the Detroit Riverfront. This planning work has received accolades from around the country. Over the past year, the Conservancy curated a planning process for the East Riverfront that gathered community input and aligned local priorities with resources from the City of Detroit and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. The East Riverfront Framework Plan was presented to the public with universal praise, and identifies achievable strategies that will promote public access and stimulate economic development. Over the next decade, the East Riverfront will emerge as a significant engine for jobs, population growth, and tax revenue, while remaining a beloved public gathering space. West Riverfront Park The Detroit RiverWalk has become a very special gathering place for our entire region, offering programs and amenities enjoyed by more than 3 million visitors each year. With nearly 80% of the 3.5-mile East Riverfront and the entire 1.5-mile Dequindre Cut Greenway connecting Eastern Market with the riverfront complete, our attention now turns to the west. Key to activating the 20-acre West Riverfront Park portion of the RiverWalk will be creating an inviting and innovatively designed space that meaningfully engages and connects with nearby neighborhoods and the residents who live there. Population Served and Scope of Services Offered The Detroit Riverfront has become one of the most diverse gathering places in the state. It is loved by families and residents, as well as regional and international tourists. Each year, approximately 3 million people visit the Detroit riverfront. More than 300,000 of these visitors participate in free or low-cost Conservancy public programming. By comparison, the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department engages only 230,000 people in formal annual programming throughout the city. The Conservancy has conducted intercept surveys on RiverWalk visitors which highlight the diversity of the area. Nearly 25% of the RiverWalk guests are under the age of 18 and 23% are over the age of 60. The riverfront is also a regional asset that draws from a diverse geography, with nearly 40% of visitors from Detroit, 43% from surrounding communities, and 17% from outside of Southeast Michigan. The Conservancy also draws support from a broad geography. Of the nearly 3,200 Southeast Michigan individuals providing financial support, 29% reside in the City of Detroit with 71% living elsewhere in the region.