The Metro: Detroit’s greenway continues its expansion around the city

When completed, the Joe Louis Greenway will wrap itself around the city, stretching 29 miles and connecting 23 Detroit neighborhoods with bike and pedestrian paths.

Leona Medley, executive director of the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, discusses plans to connect the Joe Louis Greenway and Iron Belle Trail at an event on the Dequindre Cut, July 1, 2024.

Leona Medley, executive director of the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, discusses plans to connect the Joe Louis Greenway and Iron Belle Trail at an event on the Dequindre Cut, July 1, 2024.

Detroit’s industrialization often cuts people off from various spaces with its grey infrastructure — roads with wide lanes, large, corporate plants, and several highways. 

That’s why some are excited about the Joe Louis Greenway. When completed, the project will wrap itself around the city, stretching 29 miles and connecting 23 Detroit neighborhoods with bike and pedestrian paths. 

But the Greenway doesn’t have all the funds it needs yet. That’s why it was a big deal when the Knight Foundation recently gave the project $7 million dollars to continue construction. 

Leona Medley is the executive director of the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership. She spoke with Robyn Vincent.

 

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Authors

  • Sam Corey is a producer for 101.9 WDET, which includes finding and preparing interesting stories for the daily news, arts and culture program, The Metro. Sam joined WDET after a year and a half at The Union, a small newspaper in California, and stints at a variety of local Michigan outlets, including WUOM and the Metro Times. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago.
  • The Metro