Riverside Park, located at the end of West Grand Boulevard in Southwest Detroit, Michigan, is situated in a culturally diverse neighborhood of mixed industrial and residential land uses. While the park’s unique riverfront location offers views of the Detroit River and the Ambassador Bridge, it has become an undervalued and neglected public space. In 2000, with funding from the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, the City of Detroit was able to improve access for fishing and other recreational activities. The National Wildlife Federation also received funding to provide education and outreach, including a habitat garden and interpretive signage. This study, completed in fulfillment of a master's degree requirement at the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan, is a continuation of efforts to enhance the park.

Our research aimed to explore what keeps Southwest Detroit community members from using Riverside Park and their vision for improving it. Feelings of a lack of comfort emerged as a major barrier to park use. This lack of comfort stems from perceptions that the park is neglected, unsafe, and incompatible with users’ physical needs. Despite these problems, residents report that they value Riverside Park’s unique features and are willing to become involved in revitalization efforts. These findings helped to guide a series of recommendations on how community ownership can be promoted and sustained at Riverside Park. Long-term success is contingent upon the ability of the City of Detroit and the community of Southwest Detroit to share in the responsibility of revitalizing this public space.