Formerly a Grand Trunk Railroad line, the Dequindre Cut is a predominantly below-street level greenway that runs parallel to St. Aubin Street, between Mack Avenue and Atwater Street, just north of the Detroit River. Well known for its examples of urban artwork and graffiti, the greenway features a 20-foot-wide paved pathway, which includes separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The extension of the Dequindre Cut that opened in April 2016 takes pedestrians into the heart of the Eastern Market. Also along this stretch, the Wilkins Street Plaza—with its soaring canopy, bike racks and a variety of seating options—provides a place for pedestrians to take a break while visiting the Dequindre Cut.
| Infrastructure Type | Railway |
| Status | Open / Ongoing |
| Opening | First leg: May 2009 Second leg: April 2016 |
| Size | 2 miles |
| Design Team | Smith Group JJR |
| Management | Managed and operated by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy in partnership with the City of Detroit |
The Environmental Protection Agency recently signed a $2.5 million agreement to clean the Detroit River and create new habitat for wildlife. The money will be used to clean contaminated river sediments and create homes for fish and wildlife in a cove area at the Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, a park being built along Detroit’s waterfront.
Parade pulled together more than 50 greenways, at least one from each state, in hopes that you’ll be inspired to meander with us through neighborhoods, parklands, woodlands, wetlands—even mountains, canyons, deserts and glaciers. Turns out, some greenways are not even green but are white with snow or ice, and others in urban corridors are filled with confetti-colored murals.
Mark Wallace, CEO of the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, discusses the major improvements coming to Detroit’s east and west waterfront.
