Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park is poised to become one of Detroit’s most transformative public spaces.
Once home to a bustling rail yard and a later printing facility, the area fell into disuse and neglect during Detroit’s economic decline. Now, as part of a broader revitalization of the Riverfront, it is being reimagined into a vibrant public park that blends recreation, ecological restoration, and community connectivity.
As the Director of Communications for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Marc Pasco has been deeply involved in this visionary project. Here, he shares with Detroitisit his insights into the park’s progress, its unique features, and its potential to reshape Detroit’s riverfront for generations to come.
MARC PASCO
DII: Could you provide an update on how the park has progressed since the groundbreaking in May of 2022?
Pasco: The progress has been incredible. Week by week, you can see the transformation happening. Over the past three to four months, it’s become even more visible. If you drive down Jefferson Avenue, you’ll notice the trees, pathways, and play structures taking shape.
Each of the park’s four zones is coming together beautifully.
The Delta Dental Play Garden features stunning play structures such the 2.5-story bear, otter, and fish. Some slides are already installed, and work on the treehouses is ongoing.
The William Davidson Sport House will have two full-sized basketball courts. The foundations have been poured for the floor and the seating areas and the backboards are in place.
The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden is nearly complete, with sloping terrain, tree planting, and other landscaping well underway.
Finally, the DTE Foundation Hill is shaping up to be a green, hilly space ideal for sledding, events, and year-round enjoyment. Many trees have already been planted there.
Along the water’s edge, the riverwalk has been poured, with the asphalt top scheduled for spring. Two comfort stations on the east and west sides are also nearing completion, with plumbing and fixtures in progress.
DII: Is the park still on schedule to open in the Fall of this year?
Pasco: Yes, we’re on schedule and couldn’t be more excited. Fall 2025 will be a momentous time as we celebrate this park with a community event. This park will truly be unlike anything else, not just in Detroit but anywhere in the world.
Detroit already boasts incredible public spaces like Belle Isle, Campus Martius, Eastern Market, Valade Park, Cullen Plaza, and the Riverwalk. Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park will be the latest jewel in this crown, complementing the “necklace” of spaces along the Detroit Riverfront – each with its own unique vibe and identity.
DII: One of the park’s goals is to restore natural habitats and “soften the shoreline.” Can you elaborate on what this entails and its ecological benefits?
WILLIAM DAVIDSON SPORT HOUSE
Pasco: Restoring and remediating the shoreline has been a collaborative effort with partners like the EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Great Lakes Legacy Act. Much like the work we did at the Uniroyal site in 2023, this involves environmental cleanup and creating spaces that are more accessible and aquatic-friendly.
To “soften” the shoreline, we’ve incorporated features like riprap, which is essentially large chunks of concrete placed along the water’s edge to create nooks and crannies for birds, fish, and other aquatic life. We’ve also added reef balls and root wads – bundled tree pieces strategically placed in the water to encourage and enhance habitat. These elements, combined with LED lighting throughout the park and an abundance of trees and native plantings, contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.
DII: The Water Garden has been described as a centerpiece. How does this feature support the ecosystem and enhance visitor experiences?
Pasco: The Water Garden, a partnership with Huron-Clinton Metroparks, is truly unique. It’s the first Metropark within the city of Detroit, and it’s designed to be both functional and educational. Fresh water from the Detroit River will be pumped in and circulated, ensuring it remains clean and fresh.
The intention is to allow visitors to get up close, and really experience the water – if desired. It’s designed with outdoor classrooms where school groups and others can engage in hands-on learning.
A vital piece of the park’s mission is to connect people with nature while fostering environmental education and this spot facilitates that.
DII: How does this park fit into the broader Detroit greenway system?
Pasco: Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park is a vital piece of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s vision to create a 5.5-mile revitalized riverfront from bridge to bridge. This park represents 22-acres along the two-mile long West Riverfront. It will also make the connection to the Joe Louis Greenway and through the Southwest Greenway, link the West Riverfront to Michigan Central and the Corktown and Mexicantown neighborhoods.
This connectivity is a big focus and it’s very exciting. Greenways provide access to nature and facilitate interactions between people. The connections also provide alternate ways for people to navigate the city, whether on foot or by bike, and reduce reliance on passenger cars and trucks.
DII: What does this park represent for Detroiters?
Pasco: It represents a great public space we can be proud of as a city. It’s a place where everyone is welcome, a space to read a book, bring kids to play, enjoy live music or a movie in the park, or simply connect with nature. It’s a testament to Detroit’s resilience and creativity – a public space that embodies the city’s rich history and that will give generations of Detroiters the opportunity to enjoy nature.
And going back to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s mission that was set twenty years ago … the park represents two miles of the 5.5 mile revitalized riverfront. It’s our next step in creating great public spaces for our community and for all who visit Detroit.
FIRST TREE PLANTING
DII: Are there any fun statistics or data points about the park’s development that you can share?
Pasco: Some fun facts include: There will be more than 800 trees planted across the site. More than 250 trees have been planted to date. The first tree planted was a cherry tree in November. Trees include Cherry, Willow, White Pine, Swamp White Oak, London Plane, and Burr Oak. Approximately 625 tons of steel was used in building the William Davidson Sport House. Ralph Wilson Park will feature 350,000 square feet of sod when finished and have 417,000 square feet of lawn irrigation. Additionally, 70,000 cubic yards of topsoil have been delivered to the site.
Q: What aspect of the park’s development are you personally most excited about?
Pasco: I’ve been in this position for thirteen years and been a part of many groundbreakings and grand openings. I have a place in my heart for every one of them. But this one is extra special.
Seeing the first tree planted this fall was an emotional moment for me – it symbolized the beginning of something truly special as we get closer to celebrating the opening. This is a park unlike any other park in the world.
Connecting people with public spaces and with nature and to each other is our mission, and this park is a colossal part of that mission. As with all our projects, I’m also hopeful it will lead to economic development in and around the area.
I truly can’t wait to share it with the community and to see it all come to life this fall.
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