Detroit has officially opened the new Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, a 22-acre recreational area that represents a significant transformation of the city’s riverfront. The park, which debuted on October 7, 2023, is the culmination of an eight-year development project backed by a substantial investment of $50 million.
Previously known as West Riverfront Park, the site underwent a major redesign starting in 2017, gaining momentum after receiving a generous contribution from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation in 2018.
At the opening weekend festivities, Alise King, lead singer of The Alise King Experience, commented on the park’s importance for the community. “You don’t always see this, you don’t always get this, but this is what Detroit needs,” she stated, emphasizing the park’s role as a safe and welcoming space for families.
The park features a play garden, sports house, water garden, and various event spaces, enhancing the already acclaimed Detroit Riverwalk. King highlighted how parks like this serve as essential community havens. “When you have parks like this, they work as a safe haven for the community to say, hey, you can bring your family here,” she noted.
Mary Wilson, a life trustee of the Wilson Foundation and the widow of Ralph C. Wilson Jr., expressed her pride in the project, stating, “Detroit deserves it. People from all over the world will come and see this park because it took great teamwork.” She reminisced about her husband’s daily visits to the site during its development, sharing that he would have been thrilled to see such community collaboration come to fruition.
Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, remarked on the park’s significance as a platform for public engagement. “This gives us the largest platform that we have ever had to engage with the public and welcome them,” he said, announcing plans for another opening in the spring of 2024.
The weekend’s opening celebrations included Harvest Fest, featuring 35 food trucks and live entertainment, drawing thousands of visitors to the new waterfront destination.
As Detroit continues to evolve, the Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park stands as a testament to community spirit and collaboration. For further details on upcoming events, visit the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s website.