There’s a new park on the riverfront in downtown Detroit, and you can’t miss it. 

The 22-acre Ralph C Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park is located along Detroit’s riverfront between the Ambassador Bridge and the Renaissance Center. It features a whimsical playground and splash pad, two covered basketball courts, hundreds of newly-planted trees and a water garden.

The park’s opening is the result of 8 years of outreach, planning and design. The seed funding was provided by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the project was led by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

Cassie Brenske, spokesperson for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, told WDET’s Alex McLenon that a community advisory team of 22 Detroit residents were part of the planning process early on.

“We took them across the country to New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, and gave them the opportunity to see what other parks across the country looked like and what we might want to see here in Detroit.”

Jim Boyle, Vice President of Programs and Strategy at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation told The Metro the new park connects neighborhoods that border downtown via the Joe Louis Greenway and the Riverwalk.

“It’s a regional asset that’s an economic driver for talent, and a major place where people want to be. But, it’s also a neighborhood amenity that makes living in those neighborhoods that much better.”

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Centennial Park is now open to the public on Detroit’s Riverfront.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Spooky season is here, and we’ve got Halloween celebrations for Detroiters of all ages — including hayrides, canine costume contests and frightning fundraisers. Plus, art showcases, beer tastings, grand openings and more.

Upcoming events

Diwali in the D

  Various locations in Detroit

  Monday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Oct. 25

  Free

A weeklong celebration of the Festival of Lights, featuring cultural performances, traditional foods, community art activations and interactive experiences designed to bring the community together. Participating locations include Momo Cha, Detroit Shipping Company, The Social Brews and Detroit’s Chinatown District.

Heart Land by Mary-Ann Monforton

  Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit – Mike Kelley’s Mobile Homestead

  Opens Friday, Oct. 24

  $8–$12 (free for kids 12 and under)

A solo exhibition by Detroit artist Mary-Ann Monforton that reimagines icons of American wealth and ambition through playfully imperfect sculptures. Together, the works establish a dialogue that questions what it means to aspire, acquire and belong. Admission is $12 for the general public, $10 for seniors, veterans and educators, $8 for students, and free for kids 12 and under. MOCAD’s Mobile Homestead is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

16th Annual Boo Fest at Green Oak

  Green Oak Village Place in Brighton

  Friday, Oct. 24

  Free

A free, family-friendly evening of safe trick-or-treating, hands-on games and festive entertainment throughout Green Oak shopping center. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume to receive candy and giveaways from retailers while supplies last. The event goes from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Detroit Harvest Fest & Wilson Park Grand Opening

  Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park in Detroit

  Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26

  Free

Two days of free, all-ages fun featuring three live music stages, fall activities, 35 local food trucks and more. This year’s Harvest Fest also marks the grand opening of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park, a new 22-acre park on the Detroit Riverfront. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m., and the festival is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

16th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival

  Eastern Market in Detroit

  Saturday, Oct. 25

  $60 in advance, $70 at the door

A beer tasting event highlighting local Michigan breweries. There will also be live music and food available for purchase. Tickets include a sample cup and 15 tasting tokens with additional tokens available for purchase. The festival goes from 1–6 p.m. This event is 21+.

Belong Lending Fall Fest & Trick-or-Treat Community Bash

  Belong Lending Headquarters in Detroit

  Saturday, Oct. 25

  Free

A community Halloween celebration hosted by Belong Lending, a Detroit-based, community-centered mortgage company. Festivities include pumpkin giveaways, candy bags, face painting, donuts and cider, a food truck, music, and coloring books for the kids. This event goes from noon to 3 p.m. and is open to all ages.

12th Annual Howl-O-Ween Costume Party

  Grand Circus Dog Park in Detroit

  Saturday, Oct. 25

  Free with registration

A Halloween party for dogs and their humans featuring a costume contest with five categories, themed games, a live DJ, photo opportunities and treats for all attendees. Winners will get prizes from local businesses courtesy of Strategic Staffing Solutions, Michigan Humane and Premier Pet Supply. Festivities go from 2–4 p.m., and the costume contest begins at 2:30 p.m.

IronBody Studios Grand Opening & Community Celebration

  IronBody Studios in Madison Heights

  Saturday, Oct. 25

  Free

A community event celebrating the newly expanded IronBody Studios, a fitness brand led by Detroit-based entrepreneur Hannah Haynes. The grand opening will feature complimentary class demonstrations, free fitness food, an open bar, a vendor market, a professional photo booth and gift bags for the first 50 guests. Festivities go from 2–6:30 p.m. and all ages are welcome.

Halloween Monster Bash for WDET

  Kuhnhenn Brewing Company in Clinton Township

  Saturday, Oct. 25

  $20

A Halloween benefit for WDET hosted by Modern Music host Jon Moshier and organized by friends of the station. There will be a costume contest, classic horror films and live rock n roll performances by The 3-D Invisibles, The Amino Acids and the F-Hole Wreckers. Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. and the costume contest is at 8:30 p.m. This event is 21+.

Boo Bash at Heritage Park

  Heritage Park in Farmington Hills

  Sunday, Oct. 26

  $15–$22

A family-friendly outdoor Halloween celebration featuring costumes, hayrides, a trick-or-treat trail, themed crafts, bounce houses and a bonfire. Admission is $15 for Farmington Hills residents and $20 for non-residents, and s’mores kits are available for an extra $2. The event goes from noon to 4 p.m.

CONTAINER Tour: Stop Three

  Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in Detroit

  Thursday, Oct. 30

  Free

A showcase of Detroit talent featuring live music from Bryce Detroit and bites by Smokey G’s Smokehouse, Fried Chicken & Caviar, and Chef Jermond Booze. The event goes from 6–9 p.m.