Building the Riverfront Greenway
The state of greenway investments in Greater Detroit

What are greenways?
Greenways are open spaces, including habitats and trails that link parks, nature reserves, cultural features or historic sites with each other. In Greater Detroit, greenways are beginning to punctuate a nearly continuous stretch of commercial development. Greenways allow access to the waterways, improve the aesthetic appearance of the shoreline and have recreational, ecological and economic benefits.

The vision of a continuous greenway along the Detroit River and western Lake Erie seemed like a dream only a few years ago. But today, communities and businesses in Greater Detroit are redefining their relationship to the river and championing linked greenways along its entire length - from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie, across to Canada, and up key tributaries like the Rouge, Ecorse, Raisin and Huron rivers.

The Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative, working in partnership with the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition and other stakeholders, has identified linked greenways as one of its top six priorities. These pages present some recent greenways projects.
When these and other greenways projects are completed, they will be unique destinations that link open spaces, protect natural and cultural resources, and offer many picturesque views of Detroit's great American and Canadian Heritage River. Together, they will go a long way toward enhancing the region's quality of life and making it more attractive to residents, visitors, and businesses.

Acknowledgments
The Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition gratefully acknowledges our community and business partners, and consulting firms who contributed information, renderings, and photographs. See list.