William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William G. Milliken State Parkand Harbor |
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View of the harbor and lighthouse (October 2017)
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| Location | Detroit International Riverfront, Detroit, Michigan |
| Area | 31 acres (13 ha) |
| Elevation | 584 feet (178 m) |
| Established | 2004 (renamed in 2009) |
| Administered by | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Michigan state park |
| Named for: | Governor William Milliken |
| Website | Milliken State Park and Harbor |
The William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor is a fun outdoor spot right on the Detroit River in Detroit, Michigan. It's part of the city's beautiful Detroit International Riverfront. This park is a great place to visit, covering about 31 acres.
You can find lots of cool things here, like wetlands, paved paths for walking or biking, and a harbor where boats can dock. There's even a special lighthouse! It's a 63-foot tall brick tower that looks like a smaller version of the Tawas Point Light. This lighthouse helps guide boats into the harbor.
Contents
Park History: How it Started
This park used to be two different areas. One was called St. Aubin Park and Marina, owned by the city. The other was an old industrial area that was cleaned up, known as a brownfield.
In 2004, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources took over these areas. They created Tri-Centennial State Park. This name celebrated the 300th anniversary of Fort Detroit, which was founded in 1701. It was the very first state park in Michigan to be located in a city!
Building the Park: Phases I and II
The park was built in stages. The first part, called Phase I, opened in May 2004. This included fixing up the marina and building that cool lighthouse.
Then, in 2008, they started Phase II. This part added another 6 acres to the park. It was finished in the summer of 2009. This new section was built on more old industrial land next to Rivard Plaza.
A New Name for the Park
On October 22, 2009, the park got a new name. It was renamed in honor of William G. Milliken, who was a very important Governor of Michigan. The "Lowlands" section of the park, which includes some of the wetland areas, officially opened to the public in December 2009.
Nature at the Park: Wetlands and Wildlife
A big part of William G. Milliken State Park has been turned into special wetlands. These wetlands are designed to look like the natural river wetlands that used to be along the Detroit River a long time ago.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources hopes these new wetlands will be a great stop for migratory birds. Many years ago, almost all the original Detroit River wetlands were lost because of building and development. Now, thanks to projects like this park, some of these important natural areas are being brought back!
Finding the Park: Location and Access
The William G. Milliken State Park is located at 1900 Atwater Street in Detroit. It's on the east side of downtown, close to the Jefferson Avenue area.
In 2010, the city finished building something called the "Dequindre Extension." This pathway connects the park directly to the Dequindre Cut, which is a popular greenway for walking and biking. This makes it even easier for people to get to the park!
Fun Things to Do at the Park
William G. Milliken State Park offers many activities for visitors of all ages.
- Fishing: You can enjoy fishing right from the shoreline.
- Picnic Areas: There are nice picnic spots with special sail-covered shelters, perfect for a meal outdoors.
- Harbor: The park has a harbor with 52 boat slips. Boaters can use these slips for short visits or for longer periods during the boating season.
