William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor
Encyclopedia
The William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor (formerly named Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor) is a state park
in Michigan
, and the state's first to be located in an urban area. Located just east of downtown Detroit along a portion of the city's International Riverfront
, it covers 31 acres (125,452.7 m²) on the Detroit River
, and includes a 52-slip harbor of refuge. A 63 feet (19.2 m) conical brick light-house tower marks the harbor entrance.
in 2004 as Tri-Centennial State Park. Phase I of the park's development, which included refurbishing the marina and construction of the light tower, opened on May 20, 2004. Construction of the 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) Phase II, or expansion, phase of the project began in summer 2008 and concluded in summer 2009. The Phase II project encompassed a parcel of post-industrial property adjacent to Rivard Plaza.
On October 22, 2009, Tri-Centennnial State Park was renamed in honor of Governor
William G. Milliken. The Lowlands section of the park was officially opened to the public on December 3, 2009.
s, intended to mimic the riverine wetlands that once bordered the Detroit River. The Michigan DNR hopes that these wetlands will be an attractive location for migratory birds. Ninety-seven percent of the former Detroit River wetlands have been lost to development
; the de-development of Detroit in the 2000s created an opportunity for wetlands restoration.
corridor. The City of Detroit finished construction on what is called the "Dequindre Extension" in May of 2010. This new section of Milliken State Park connects the park to the Dequindre Cut
.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, and the state's first to be located in an urban area. Located just east of downtown Detroit along a portion of the city's International Riverfront
Detroit International Riverfront
The Detroit International Riverfront is an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River. The International Riverfront area extends from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, extending a total of 5½-miles and encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail...
, it covers 31 acres (125,452.7 m²) on the Detroit River
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
, and includes a 52-slip harbor of refuge. A 63 feet (19.2 m) conical brick light-house tower marks the harbor entrance.
History
The park consists of the former city-owned St. Aubin Park and Marina and an adjacent reclaimed brownfield. The park area was taken over by the Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesMichigan Department of Natural Resources
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
in 2004 as Tri-Centennial State Park. Phase I of the park's development, which included refurbishing the marina and construction of the light tower, opened on May 20, 2004. Construction of the 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) Phase II, or expansion, phase of the project began in summer 2008 and concluded in summer 2009. The Phase II project encompassed a parcel of post-industrial property adjacent to Rivard Plaza.
On October 22, 2009, Tri-Centennnial State Park was renamed in honor of Governor
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
William G. Milliken. The Lowlands section of the park was officially opened to the public on December 3, 2009.
Ecology
Much of the William G. Milliken State Park has been redeveloped as restoration wetlandWetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
s, intended to mimic the riverine wetlands that once bordered the Detroit River. The Michigan DNR hopes that these wetlands will be an attractive location for migratory birds. Ninety-seven percent of the former Detroit River wetlands have been lost to development
Real estate development
Real estate development, or Property Development, is a multifaceted business, encompassing activities that range from the renovation and re-lease of existing buildings to the purchase of raw land and the sale of improved land or parcels to others...
; the de-development of Detroit in the 2000s created an opportunity for wetlands restoration.
Access
The William G. Milliken State Park's official address is 1900 Atwater Street, on the near east side of Detroit and adjacent to the Jefferson AvenueJefferson Avenue (Detroit)
Jefferson Avenue is a scenic road along the eastern part of the Detroit metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Michigan. It travels alongside Lake Erie, the Detroit River, and Lake Saint Clair. This road also provides access to many recreational facilities in the area...
corridor. The City of Detroit finished construction on what is called the "Dequindre Extension" in May of 2010. This new section of Milliken State Park connects the park to the Dequindre Cut
Dequindre Cut
The Dequindre Cut is a below-grade pathway, formerly a Grand Trunk Western Railroad line, located on the east side of Detroit, Michigan just west of St. Aubin Street...
.
Facilities and activities
- FishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
: Shore fishing in the Detroit River. - Picnicking: Picnic area and two sail-covered pavilions.
- BoatingBoatingBoating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
: The harbor offers 35 transient and 16 seasonal slips.
External links
- Milliken State Park and Harbor Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
- Milliken State Park and Harbor Detroit RiverFront Conservancy