With the advent of Spring in Detroit, it’s safe to say that there is no shortage of public spaces in the city. In a time when outdoor gatherings are one of the few ways people may safely gather — due to COVID-19’s continued rise — spaces like Belle Isle or the Dequindre Cut are all the more crucial.
When looking at outdoor spaces, two Detroit spots have received national recognition, being named among the best in the country. Ranked by 10 Best from USA Today, the Detroit Riverwalk has been named the top riverwalk in the nation for 2021, while Downtown’s Campus Martius was named the fifth-best public square in all of America.
THE DETROIT RIVERWALK IS NUMBER 1
Beating out spaces such as the famous San Antonio River Walk, the Chicago Riverwalk, and the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia, the panel of experts deciding the listing called the riverwalk one of the cities most exciting projects.
“The riverfront redevelopment in Detroit, a city with 14 miles of shoreline along the Detroit River, is one of the city’s most exciting initiatives,” wrote the 10Best team. “The East Riverfront of the Detroit International RiverWalk stretches from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park and includes several parks, restaurants, splash parks, and natural areas.”
Winning after spending years undergoing a transformation that saw the redevelopment of the former Globe Building and the opening of Robert C. Valade Park, the riverwalk draws in nearly 3 million visitors yearly.
Commenting on the tremendous recognition for the riverwalk, Matt Cullen, board chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, shared,
The Detroit Riverfront is a very special place for our city and we are honored by this recognition. We have a tremendous year ahead and will continue to set the bar even higher as we finish up the East Riverfront and move to the west.
Remaining open during the ongoing pandemic, the riverwalk is one of the best spaces to gather in Detroit right now, truly earning its title as the best riverwalk in the country.
CAMPUS MARTIUS NAMED ONE OF THE BEST SPACES
Take a stroll north to Campus Martius and you’ll see why it was ranked number 5 on the other listing from 10Best. Sitting behind the likes of Centerway Square in New York and Decatur Square in Georgia, 10 Best praised Campus Martius’s skyline views, proximity to great food and activities, as well as the Woodward Fountain.
In a time like we’re facing, Campus Martius offers patrons a sense of normalcy, allowing for lunch outside, beautiful views, and music during the afternoon. Having just wrapped up its extended season for the outdoor ice-skating rink, the warming weather will only bring more fun to Downtown Detroit’s nation ranking square.
But, there is so much more to Detroit beyond both the Riverwalk and Campus Martius. With the season changing, get out there and explore the sights and sounds city we all know and love.
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