Natural Spaces
Original Landscape
Detroit's pre-settlement landscape (as described in this 1702 letter from Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac to Louis XIV) is largely lost, but traces of it remain somewhat intact. Below is a list of the seven largest "virgin forest" sites in the city, as determined by local landscape architect and historic tree preservationist Jim Meyers. Each site includes a patch of land at least the size of one city block containing remnants of the pre-settlement oak/beech savanna landscape. Please note that some of these sites have become known for criminal activity in recent years. You should use caution and your best judgment when visiting. For more information about any of these sites, contact Jim Meyers at jimmeyers3.14@gmail.com.
- Witherell Woods
- Located inside Palmer Park at 7 Mile and Woodward
- Pitcher Woods Nature Area
- Located inside O'Hair Park at 8 Mile and Evergreen
- Eiza Howell Park
- Specifically, the west Rouge River ridge and northeast valley
- Riverside Park
- Jefferson and West Grand Blvd
- Rouge Park
- Specifically, the southwest corner of city corp line and Chicago Blvd
- There are also great sycamores along the actual river, further south
- Tuttle Playground
- 8 Mile and Evergreen
- Patton Park
- SW corner of Vernor and Woodmere, on the hill
Detroit River
The 32 mile Detroit River has coursed for more than 10,000 years from Lake St. Claire to Lake Erie. Today, portions of the river in the city of Detroit are easily accessible via the Riverwalk, as well as Hart Plaza and the following parks, listed west to east:
- Riverside
- William Milliken (State Park & Harbor)
- Chene
- Mt. Elliott
- Belle Isle
- Gabriel Richard
- Owen
- Stockton
- Reid Memorial
- Maheras Gentry
- Alfred Brush Ford
- Riverfront-Lakewood
- Mariner
William Milliken State Park, just east of downtown, includes a small wetland demonstration area.
