Tri-Centennial State Park

As the first urban park in Michigan, the 31 acres carved out on the banks of the Detroit River will offer a green oasis in the midst of downtown Detroit.

The first phase of the park - the harbor - was opened to the public in 2004 and offers several covered picnic areas, shoreline fishing and a newly renovated 52-slip harbor. A 63-foot light tower marks the harbor entrance. It is a scaled-down replica of the recently-renovated lighthouse at Tawas Point State Park, originally built in 1876.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation is preparing to break ground on the second phase of development at the park in Summer 2008. This phase will include a wetlands demonstration project, which will show how wetlands act as nature's water filtration system. Interpretative signs will explain how the wetland naturally cleans the water and then returns it to the Detroit River as clean water - without going to a wastewater treatment plant.

The RiverWalk will pass through the park in the area closest to the Detroit River, and a quiet, contemplative area with a memorial to Peter Stroh, a noted conservationist who, for 25 years, was a tireless advocate for the opening Detroit's waterfront the public, will be featured in part of the park. A bike path, with financial support from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), will lace through the area on the other side of the wetland. Fishing platforms are planned along the riverfront edge of the park.

All these exciting developments would not be possible without support from several funding sources, including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MDOT, DEQ, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan's Greenways Initiative. 

The State anticipates having the second phase of Tri-Centennial open to the public by Summer 2009.

For more information on Tri-Centennial State Park, please visit http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_24648-94491--,00.html.