Kresge grants $3.5M to three Detroit greenways: Conner Creek Greenway, Dequindre Cut, Midtown Loop

The Kresge Foundation has granted three of Detroit's greenways projects a combined total of $3.5 million. The money will be used to extend the Dequindre Cut north to Mack, build another segment of the Conner Creek Greenway and fund construction of the Mitdown Loop's Phase 2, the part that traverses John R and Canfield.

Todd Scott of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance says that this "challenge grant" will help the fledgling Detroit Greenways Coalition get some legs. "One of the important things we need to do is to formalize our group structure so that we can use this money to get the most bang for our buck,"  he says. "This money has pushed us to the next level in terms of being organized."

The Dequindre Cut is a trail that currently extends from the East Riverfront to Gratiot Avenue; this extension will take it into the heart of Eastern Market.

The Conner Creek Greenway will eventually connect the East Side from the Detroit River to Eight Mile. The Kresge grant will fund two phases: from Jefferson to the riverfront Maheras Gentry Park and from Harper to Eight Mile. Libby Pachota of the Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative hopes to see construction begin in the summer of 2010 for both segments.

The Midtown Loop will provide a culturally stimulating route around Midtown. Phase One, which will begin construction this summer, runs along Cass and Kirby. Read more about the design of the Loop here.

Sources: Todd Scott, MTGA and Libby Pachota, DECC
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh