The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park is a transformative 22-acre development along the Detroit River. Once home to a Detroit Free Press storage facility and a temporary riverwalk, this underutilized site has been reimagined as a vibrant regional destination for recreation, education, and community gathering.
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. worked with PEA Group as a subconsultant to support the park’s development through engineering services, detailed topographic and ALTA surveys, as well as a bathymetric survey of the Detroit Riverbed within the project limits. The park features a wide array of attractions, including a 2-acre water garden, amphitheater, sledding hills, landscaped pathways, covered basketball courts, a Great Lakes-themed play garden, active recreation areas, picnic shelters, a children’s water play garden, and a combined park administration and restroom facility. Extensive landscaping and shoreline enhancements support wildlife, promote native vegetation, and improve habitat.
PEA Group also designed the stormwater conveyance system for the park to treat stormwater runoff onsite and eliminate any discharge to the City of Detroit’s sewer system. This sustainable infrastructure not only reduces the load on municipal sewers but is expected to save approximately $60,000 annually in stormwater fees.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park brings new life to a public space already honored as the Best Riverwalk in the United States by USA Today in 2021, 2022, and 2023.