m-bike.org » Detroit Riverfront Conservancy http://www.m-bike.org/blog Promoting non-motorized transportation in the Motor City Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:36:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Green jobs: American Cycle & Fitness and the Detroit RiverWalk http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2012/01/19/green-jobs-american-cycle-fitness-and-the-detroit-riverwalk/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2012/01/19/green-jobs-american-cycle-fitness-and-the-detroit-riverwalk/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:27:51 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=6889 If you’re interested in working at a bike shop, American Cycle and Fitness is looking to hire.

Their job application is on their web site.

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy also has a few jobs posted.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2012/01/19/green-jobs-american-cycle-fitness-and-the-detroit-riverwalk/feed/ 0 Detroit looks to make biking legal on RiverWalk http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/12/13/detroit-looks-to-make-biking-legal-on-riverwalk/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/12/13/detroit-looks-to-make-biking-legal-on-riverwalk/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:16:18 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=6675 It’s legal to ride your bike on most of the Detroit RiverWalk except for the portion in front of Hart Plaza.

Why? Because of this city ordinance:

Sec. 40-4-7. – Wheeled vehicles prohibited.

No wheelbarrow, handcart, automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, motordriven cycle, go-cart, unicycle, moped, solex cycle or other wheeled vehicles are permitted in Hart Plaza except as approved by the civic center department or recreation department for a scheduled event. This section shall not apply to a handicapped person in a wheelchair nor to emergency or service vehicles.

It’s a little policy issue we shared with our wonky friends, but it wasn’t a big problem on the RiverWalk since it wasn’t enforced.

Apparently it’s more of big deal now because the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will soon maintain that portion of the RiverWalk. Currently the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) maintains the RiverWalk from the Port Authority to Joe Louis Arena. The Detroit Recreation Department is developing a maintenance agreement for the Conservancy to take the reins.

The Recreation Department is asking City Council to change the ordinance’s definition of Hart Plaza to not include the RiverWalk. They said it would be the “most direct and expedient resolution.”

Doing this solves the bicycling issue and others. For example, it’s also not legal to walk your dog or roller skate on this section of RiverWalk.

We’d rather the ordinance not restrict bicycles (or unicycles!) in all of Hart Plaza except during events, but the above proposal is a step in the right direction.

We do have to wonder why solex cycles were called out in the ordinance.

 

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/12/13/detroit-looks-to-make-biking-legal-on-riverwalk/feed/ 0 42.3265076 -83.0436325 Detroit 2020 looks at trails http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/01/14/detroit-2020-looks-at-trails/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/01/14/detroit-2020-looks-at-trails/#comments Sat, 15 Jan 2011 04:07:08 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=5293 Perhaps you’ve already heard about the Detroit 2020 Project.

Detroit 2020 is a WXYZ commitment to address the challenges facing the region.  We will work side by side with our communities to listen, talk and take action.  Our goal is to unify, inspire change and help make Detroit a better place to live, work and raise families.

Yesterday they aired a segment on the RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut which gives a brief introduction to a couple of world class trails.

Yes, it’s a $300 million development project.

And the video also talks about how projects like this are true public-private partnerships. Whereas in most other cities, it’s the government leading the trail development and operations, that’s not the case here. It’s the Conservancy and their staff — and it works well. However, it does skew results when national groups try to benchmark Detroit based on the number of city employees work on biking and walking. For example, the 2010 Benchmark Report from the Alliance for Biking and Walking ranked Detroit last in this category. They wouldn’t count the 24 staff working for the Conservancy since their not city employees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al0FU6uQLiI

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is also looking for volunteers to serve as ambassadors this coming summer. If you’re interested, give them a call at (313) 566-8200 during business hours for more information.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/01/14/detroit-2020-looks-at-trails/feed/ 0 42.3310280 -83.0326996 Detroit Riverfront Conservancy looks west http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/08/28/detroit-riverfront-conservancy-looks-west/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/08/28/detroit-riverfront-conservancy-looks-west/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:39:36 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=4522 Earlier this month we attended a public meeting in Southwest Detroit to discuss the westward expansion of the Detroit RiverWalk. This would be the 2-mile segment of RiverWalk from Joe Louis to West Grand Boulevard/Riverside Park.

The interest was very high as the room quickly filled to standing room only.

The initial plans looked great to us. This portion of the RiverWalk would look more like Belle Isle than the often hard-surfaced RiverWalk East. This is due in part to the larger land holdings, including the old Free Press printing plant site and Riverside Park. Of course the railyard in between adds a significant challenge.

It was noted that being able to bike and walk under the Ambassador Bridge would be quite a sight and quite a unique draw. It was good to see Dan Stamper of the Detroit Bridge Company in attendance to show their apparent support of the RiverWalk West concept.

A recent Model D article also added:

Faye Alexander Nelson, president and CEO of the Conservancy, had to remind the audience on several occasions that the planning is beginning now and the community will be a big component of the process.

“This will be challenging,” [Conservancy Chair Matt] Cullen says. “But a real exciting opportunity.”

The Conservancy says they’ll continue to have public meetings as the process for the West Riverfront moves a long.

Raising the millions in funding for this project is a major task, but the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has a track record of getting it done. We see no reason why this won’t come to fruition.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/08/28/detroit-riverfront-conservancy-looks-west/feed/ 0 42.3175507 -83.0854492 West Riverfront Community Meeting http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/08/04/west-riverfront-community-meeting/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/08/04/west-riverfront-community-meeting/#comments Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:04:56 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=4402 With the RiverWalk being mostly completed from Joe Louis Arena to Belle Isle, it’s time to start discussing the west portion. This runs from Joe Louis Arena, beyond the Ambassador Bridge and over to W. Grand Boulevard. There are already some conceptual ideas on paper, but the Riverfront Conservancy wants to hear from the community.

Here are the meeting details:

We want to hear from you! The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is hosting a community meeting on Thursday, August 12 at 6:00pm to discuss our conceptual plans for the West Riverfront. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy values your input as being critical to our success; we invite you to share your thoughts as we move forward with the vision to transform Detroit’s International Riverfront, the face of Detroit into a beautiful, exciting, safe, accessible, world-class gathering place for all. To RSVP, send an e-mail to?rsvp@detroitriverfront.org or call 313.566.8248.

Please RSVP by August 9th.

The meeting will be held at the Delray Senior Pavilion at 275 West Grand Boulevard.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/08/04/west-riverfront-community-meeting/feed/ 0 42.3175507 -83.0854492 Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CEO wins award http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/06/15/detroit-riverfront-conservancy-ceo-wins-award/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/06/15/detroit-riverfront-conservancy-ceo-wins-award/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:49:15 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=4085 The Detroit Free Press has some nice behind-the-scenes coverage of Faye Alexander Nelson, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy — the group responsible for the Detroit RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut.

Nelson speaks with pride and pleasure as she points out various attractions — the RiverWalk’s patio-pretty pavement dotted with parks, pavilions, play spaces and gardens; docking space for boats at Michigan’s first urban state park, and a paved trail that officially opened Thursday that allows people to go by foot, bike or Rollerblade from near the river to the Dequindre Cut, a former railroad track transformed into a nonmotorized trail.

It’s fitting that Nelson is at the helm of that bridge-to-bridge development. People who know her say she is indeed a bridge builder, uniting a diverse group of people behind the $300-million-plus project that is an undeniable bright spot in the issues-saddled city of Detroit.

“She has been a forceful and integral part of transforming Detroit’s riverfront into something spectacular,” said Hugh McDiarmid Jr., spokesman for the Michigan Environmental Council, which awarded Nelson the William and Helen Milliken Award for Distinguished Service on Wednesday.

And speaking of the RiverWalk, it’s home once again to the 2010 Detroit River Days event, which begins this Friday and runs through Sunday. River Days includes the Green Path (presented by Bank of America), which is numerous of environmental groups at Milliken State Park. The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) has a booth where you can get the latest information on Detroit biking and walking news. You will also be able to register your support for a Complete Streets policy in the city of Detroit.

And River Days wraps up with one of the world’s largest fireworks displays at 10:06pm on Monday. Afterwards, vehicular traffic is at a standstill which means it’s a perfect to bike to. It seems many more Detroiters are biking to the fireworks each year, not only because it’s fun, but because it’s faster.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/06/15/detroit-riverfront-conservancy-ceo-wins-award/feed/ 0 42.3310280 -83.0326996 Did you get your Dequindre Cut holiday card? http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/12/24/did-you-get-your-dequindre-cut-holiday-card/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/12/24/did-you-get-your-dequindre-cut-holiday-card/#comments Fri, 25 Dec 2009 01:23:30 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=3290 If not, then you’ll want to join or renew a membership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. It’s tax deductible too!

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/12/24/did-you-get-your-dequindre-cut-holiday-card/feed/ 0 Photos from the Tri-Centennial sneak peek http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/09/27/photos-from-the-tri-centennial-sneak-peek/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/09/27/photos-from-the-tri-centennial-sneak-peek/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:20:25 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=2861 Today Detroit Riverfront Conservancy members were treated to a sneak peak of the Tri-Centennial State Park’s latest expansion.

This will be an amazing addition to the RiverWalk. It’s certainly softer and more natural than the other sections. All of the plantings are native to Michigan.

There was an initial concern that geese would try eating many of the early plantings, but the DNR was able to prevent that. Now there is a muskrat that has been digging up the young plantings. He may be trapped and moved so that the plants have a better chance of establishing themselves.

You may notice the monarch butterflies on the purple coneflowers. There were quite a few there today as they make their way south towards Point Pelee, Ontario. The butterflies gather at the Point and make the flight across Lake Erie in large groups.

There was no official word on when this portion of the park will open. The bike path still needs to be paved and landscaped.

The state park will be renamed after former Govenor William Milliken Accessible steps to the wetlands Monarch butterflies visiting the purple coneflowers Overlooking the Peter Stroh reflecting ponds

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/09/27/photos-from-the-tri-centennial-sneak-peek/feed/ 0 42.3310280 -83.0326996 Tri-Centennial State Park special opening this Sunday http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/09/23/tri-centennial-state-park-special-opening-this-sunday/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/09/23/tri-centennial-state-park-special-opening-this-sunday/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:59:21 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=2803 Tri-Centennial State Park on the Detroit RiverWalk

A new section of the Detroit RiverWalk is set to open this Sunday, but only for members of the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. If you’re not a member yet, you have until Friday to join and get your free pass.

From the DRC web site:

The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy is hosting its first Member Appreciation Open House on Sunday, September 27 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Rivard Plaza. The event will feature a sneak peek tour of the soon-to-open, new 6-acre section of Tri-Centennial State Park. Tours will begin at 15 minute intervals throughout the afternoon.

This family-oriented Open House will feature a variety of interactive nature exhibits from the Nature Discovery (Michigan amphibians & reptiles), Wildlife Recovery Association (Michigan birds of prey) and the Howell Nature Center (Birds of prey and Michigan mammals). Michigan Sea Grant and Riverside Kayak will also be onsite to showcase kayaking and fishing on the Detroit Riverfront.

Conservancy members will be able to enjoy complimentary refreshments from the RiverWalk Cafe and free carousel rides. Diamond Jack will provide complimentary river tours for members.

This new section of the state park helps close some of the gap between the RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut.

Model D also has additional coverage of this event.

There is also discussion underway to rename Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor to the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor. That seems like a fine idea given the former Michigan governor’s dedication to environmental preservation.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/09/23/tri-centennial-state-park-special-opening-this-sunday/feed/ 1 42.3310280 -83.0326996 RiverWalk and Macomb Trails in the news http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/08/04/riverwalk-and-macomb-trails-in-the-news/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/08/04/riverwalk-and-macomb-trails-in-the-news/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:23:27 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=2542 Tri-Centennial State Park update from the Detroit Free Press

Detroit RiverWalk

The Free Press article, Detroit park to offer walk on the wilder side, provides a detailed update on the Tri-Centennial State Park Phase II expansion along the RiverWalk.

The planned 31-acre park will help plug a central gap in the city’s 3 1/2 -mile RiverWalk promenade on the east side.

Running about 1,000 feet along the waterfront, the new phase will feature walking paths winding through a created wetland planted with native grasses and other plants. Grasses will be left uncut to create a look similar to what the French found when they settled in Detroit in 1701.

Along with this much welcomed addition are additional details on the largest missing portion of the east RiverWalk: the Uniroyal site between the bridge to Belle Isle and Mt. Elliot park. According to Faye Nelson, Executive Director for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, construction could begin as early as next year.

Extending the RiverWalk across the barren site known as Uniroyal will await an environmental cleanup there, Nelson said. But she said she was optimistic that a cleanup might begin next year.

Macomb County Trail Loop

WWJ is reporting $2 million dollar in funding has been allocated for the Macomb County Trail Loop. This money would be put towards the 17 miles that are not completed across the entire 70-mile loop, which includes the Macomb Orchard Trail and Metropolitan bike path.

The funding is attached to a jobs growth bill thanks to the work of Senator Debbie Stabenow. The Kettering Gateway Project in Flint also received $1.2 million through this same bill.

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