CYCLISTS ROLL ALONG A BURGEONING DOWNRIVER DELTA

Wyandotte-August 13, 2021 It's been over a year since the Downriver Delta Community Development Corporation has been able to host their annual bicycle ride which brings a large group of cyclists to and through a collection of Downriver destinations. The Roll Along the River was a 17.5 mile meandering, slow-roll bicycle cruise that began and ended at the Fort Street Bridge Park, one of the City of Detroit's newest parks that's recently been adopted by the Downriver Delta organization.

"Hosting this year's ride at the Fort Street Bridge Park is very special for us," Says Gina Wilson Steward, President of Downriver Delta "So many people from an incredible group of organizations came together to design and construct this beautiful new space, and we're proud to be the group entrusted with its maintenance and programming." The Fort Street Bridge Interpretive Park was a program spearheaded by the Motor Cities National Heritage Area and is meant to serve as a memorial commemorating those killed during the Ford Hunger March of 1932. And to many involved, this park also serves as beautiful endcap of Detroit, and a dignified gateway to Downriver.

The Downriver Linked Greenways

Decades in the making, the Downriver Linked Greenways is taking great shape, as the riders came to find during the event. From the Fort Street Bridge Park and the Fort Rouge Gateway, cyclists rolled to Pepper Park in the City of Ecorse. Nestled on the northern branch of the Ecorse Creek, this waterside recreation area is undergoing a major transformation of enhanced waterfront access and habitat restoration projects led by the City of Ecorse, Friends of the Detroit River, and the Federal Fish and Wildlife Services; Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The Ecorse Creek serves as the natural barrier between the three Cities of Ecorse, Lincoln Park and Wyandotte, all of whom are collaborating on improvements and programs along the shared waterway, namely a series of Ecorse Creek Clean-Up Events.

Cyclists then made a short jaunt to and through Council Point Park in Lincoln Park and Beaver Park in Wyandotte, both also situated along the tri-city border, the Ecorse Creek. Downtown Wyandotte was the halfway point of the roll, where cyclists enjoyed food and refreshments in Wyandotte's new Social District: a defined boundary in which alcoholic beverages can be purchased and enjoyed outside in the streetscape of the business district. Joe Gruber, who serves as Wyandotte's Downtown Development Director, as well as the Vice President of the Downriver Delta Community Development Corporation formed the Downtown Wyandotte Social District "The State's new Social District Law was created during the COVID era, and was meant to get people outside after State mandates restricted indoor activities and indoor dining. We have thirteen active bars and restaurants participating in the Social District, all of whom love it. And what we've seen is a tremendously positive impact on how residents and visitors can now interact with the businesses and the built environment in our town." Cyclists enjoyed the many offerings of Downtown Wyandotte before heading back north to Memorial Park in River Rouge.

Along the way, riders enjoyed some of Wayne County's newest on street designated bicycle facilities atop a newly resurfaced West Jefferson Avenue. The Cities of Ecorse and River Rouge pursued a joint effort for this nonmotorized transportation project which benefitted from Transportation Alternative Program funding from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). Riders returned to the Fort Street Bridge Park and the groups dispersed, many pedaling onward to log a few extra miles on their bicycles.

Each year, the Roll Along the River changes its route, points of interest and destinations. But the intention of the event organizers is always the same. "There is something very special happening Downriver," says Dr. Paul Draus, professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and member of the Downriver Delta board. "We're seeing a great deal of improvements and investments in public spaces, parks and recreation throughout the region. It's exciting to see an increased focus on enhancing natural spaces in urban places for the betterment of residents' quality of life. Our Roll Along the River is meant to help provide a unique experience and exposure to these special places in our communities."

The Roll Along the River typically occurs on the first Saturday of May, which the Downriver Delta hopes to get back on track. Stay in touch and follow them by visiting Downriver Delta and Roll Along the River on Facebook!