What to Expect When Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park Opens This Month

Detroit’s newest riverfront attraction a decade in the making, the park will offer new ways for Detroiters to connect with the river and nature in a family-oriented environment.
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The lush 22-acre Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park was once the site of the Detroit Free Press printing plant, before it was bought by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in 2007.
The lush 22-acre park was once the site of the Detroit Free Press printing plant, before it was bought by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in 2007. // Photograph courtesy of Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, the latest addition to Detroit’s award-winning riverfront, is set to open on Oct. 25 with a two-day Harvest Fest. Once completed, the park will be a major step towards creating 5.5 miles of public riverfront access. This will span the distance from Gabriel Richard Park to just west of the Ambassador Bridge.

Since buying the 22-acre property in 2007, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has partnered with charitable foundations to invest $80 million into building the park. Named in honor of the Detroit native, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation donated $50 million dedicated to the construction and preservation of the park.

Layout of Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park

The park is split into four unique zones, each offering unique attractions and sponsored by a local business. The Delta Dental Play Garden is a five-acre space consisting of swing-sets and three larger-than life animal play structures. These structures were built by Monstrum, the Danish playground company. The highlight is a 26-foot-tall otter, which allows kids to climb inside the wooden structure and exit through the attached slide.

Furnished by the Danish custom playground maker, Monstrum, the Delta Dental play garden features a 20-foot Bernstein Bear slide and jungle gym.
Furnished by the Danish custom playground maker, Monstrum, the Delta Dental play garden features a 20-foot Bernstein Bear slide and jungle gym. // Photograph courtesy of Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

A short walk away is the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden, the first Metroparks location in Detroit. The water garden is filled from the Detroit River. It uses a pump system to regularly cycle water through the waterway. Detroit Riverfront Conservatory CEO Ryan Sullivan stressed the importance of providing Detroiters with access to the river outside of Belle Isle.

“One of the things people in the community spoke about, was wanting to have more access to the water,” Sullivan says. “This was the concept behind the water garden.”

The DTE Foundation Summit is the highest point in the park. It offers sweeping views of the skyline and both the Ambassador Bridge and the Gordie Howe International Bridge. It will also be the site of the Jacksons performance on opening day, Oct. 25.

Named after the former owner of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock, the William Davidson Sports House is a covered pavilion with two full-sized basketball courts. Protected from the weather, it will also serve as a hub for events and other recreation activities.

An expansive open air pavilion at Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park houses two full-size basketball courts, and will serve as a hub for recreational programs and events year-round.
An expansive open air pavilion at Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park houses two full-size basketball courts, and will serve as a hub for recreational programs and events year-round. // Photograph by Will Reaume

With plenty of activity space, there is also no shortage of places to relax and unwind while exploring the park. The park contains 80 benches and 900 trees, providing ample opportunities to take in the riverfront views.

Connecting to Michigan Central Station

The park will also be connected to the newly revamped Michigan Central Station via the half mile long Southwest Greenway. The walking and biking trail is a part of an expansive 27.5-mile Joe Louis Greenway. This will connect 23 neighborhoods to downtown Detroit.

Matthew Cullen, the chairman of the board at JACK Entertainment and chair of the Detroit Riverfront Conservatory, is credited with spearheading the park’s creation. He attended the Oct.1 media preview event for the project he envisioned over 20 years ago as a GM employee.

The Charles & Sarah McClure Slide Bay features a variety of slides suitable for all ages and abilities.
The Charles & Sarah McClure Slide Bay features a variety of slides suitable for all ages and abilities. // Photograph by Will Reaume

“When I was at GM, you couldn’t walk from the Renaissance center to the river, because it was all blocked off and there was no access,” Cullen says. “It was just about pulling together the right players to take on a project like this.”

Cullen facilitated the partnership between the city of Detroit, GM, and the Kresge Foundation. Together, this would become the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in 2003. The partnership has been instrumental in transforming the riverfront. It was named the best riverwalk in the nation in 2021, 2022, and 2023 by USA Today. Cullen and his team took inspiration from other parks and riverfronts around the globe. However, he believes none come close to what Detroit offers.

“We took a lot of pieces from other places, but here we thought we had the opportunity to do more,” Cullen says. “I don’t think there’s anything like it, and that’s why we’ve been picked as the best river front in the United States.”

The DTE Foundation Summit offers views of the Detroit skyline and both the Ambassador Bridge and the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The DTE Foundation Summit offers views of the Detroit skyline and both the Ambassador Bridge and the Gordie Howe International Bridge. // Photograph by Will Reaume

For more information about the Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, the Detroit Riverfront Conservatory, or the Harvest Fest celebration, visit detroitriverfront.org. 

 
 




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