Family fun on the RiverWalk
The Detroit RiverWalk has been transformed into an escape perfect for kids of all ages.
An exciting piece of the action, the RiverWalk Carousel – the work of sculptor Jeffrey Briggs and funded by a $1.2-million Skillman Foundation grant -- stands tall at Rivard Street Plaza and Pavilion. The carousel is hand-painted and features 10 separate species native to the Detroit Riverfront. The species include: a sturgeon, bass, catfish, walleye, egret, eagle, wood duck, snail, frog and heron. It also features two mythical creatures: the River Monster and the River Mermaid. At the center of the ride is a 33-foot mural of the Detroit River Estuary, and the outside panels feature natural wildlife scenes and species.
The carousel arrived in Detroit in late April 2007, was installed the first week of May and opened on June 6, along with other portions of the RiverWalk. Rides cost $2.00
Official grand opening of the RiverWalk was June 22 with the start of Detroit's International RiverDays Celebration. The 2.6-mile stretch will have concessions, fishing piers, paths for pedestrians and bicycles, and fountains. This will be the first significant opening for the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy of new public space on the Detroit International Riverfront since its inception in early 2003.
"The Rivard Plaza carousel is an enchanting new addition to the riverfront, and will be the source of many happy memories for children growing up in Detroit," said Sharnita Johnson, program officer with the Foundation.
