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Celebrating 20 years of stewardship and advocacy for Detroit's largest park
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In this newsletter...
- Upcoming Events
- FORP Membership Meeting, October 18 at 6pm
- Fall Color Walk at Scout Hollow, October 29 at 3pm
- New Recreation Center Design Meeting, Nov. 3 at 6pm
- Artist chosen to create the Alex Jefferson Sculpture in Rouge Park
- Eagle Scout Completes Improvements to Stone Bridge Nature Trail
- Provide Your Feedback on the New Rouge Park Recreation Center
- September's Events in the Park:
- Ma'iingan Wildwood Trail Dedication & Anishiinaabe & African Music, Dance and Drum Festival, Sept. 10
- Senior Picnic at Sorensen Rec. Area, Sept. 29
- Fish & Tree Walk on the Ma'iingan Wildwood Trail, Oct. 2
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FORP Quarterly Meeting
Tuesday, October 18th at 6pm
Sorensen Recreation Area (map)
Join us for a sunset get-together around a warm fire to talk about the Friends of Rouge Park's work in the park, and how you can get more involved - we need you!
Representatives from the City of Detroit will be there seeking your input into the design for the Pistons sponsored Brennan Recreation Center.
Register here
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Fall Color Walk at Scout Hollow
Saturday, October 29th at 3pm
Scout Hollow Campground (map)
Join Detroit Audubon & Friends of Rouge Park on a hike to experience the natural beauty and the seasonal changes in Scout Hollow, Detroit's only campground while being led by bird and tree experts. The 17.4 acre campground, lies near the Rouge River and features a nature trail, and various species of birds and trees. When selecting footwear be prepared for some mud.
Register here
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Take Part in Shaping the Design for the New Rouge Park Recreation Center
Thursday Evening, November 3 at 6:00 pm
Brennan Pools Building (map)
The Pistons Foundation will build a 25,000 square foot, $20 million dollar recreation center in Rouge Park at the Brennan Area next to the pools. This meeting is an opportunity for community input into the building design and type of activities to be offered at the center. View a slideshow from the first community meeting, Fill out their survey here, and come to our Oct. 18 meeting to talk directly with City of Detroit urban parks planner, Juliana Fulton about it.
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Artist Chosen to build Rouge Park Statue Honoring Alex Jefferson
Detroit sculptor Austen Brantley was chosen to build a statue honoring the late Tuskegee Airman Alexander Jefferson at the model airplane field at Joy & Spinoza. The statue should be completed by Spring 2023. Read more here.
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Improvements to Stone Bridge Nature Trail Completed
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A raised wooden pathway along the Stone Bridge Nature Trail has been completed. The pathway passes through a perpetually wet stretch of the trail allowing hikers to reach the Stone Bridge in all weather conditions. Under the guidance of 2021 Best Friend of Rouge Park awardee David Oakley, Aaron Uchida planned and constructed the pathway as an Eagle Scout project.
Thank you so much, Aaron and David for giving back to the park so that people can enjoy this beautiful trail without getting stuck in the mud!
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Ma'iingan Wildwood Trail Dedication and Celebration with Anishiinaabe & African Music, Dance and Drum
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On Sept. 10, a re-dedication of the Ma'iingan Wildwood Trail (first dedicated as the "Wildwood trail" in 1935) was held in honor of Etta S. Wilson, world renowned ornithologist and developer of the original Wildwood Trail. The celebration was part of the Detroit Parks Coalition's Freedom Arts Festival celebrating racial justice, history, and connection to place through arts & culture at eight Detroit Parks.
The dedication was the culmination of the half day long Anishiinaabe and African Music Dance and Drum Festival organized by Black to the Land, Vibes with the Tribes and the Friends of Rouge Park. The festival included performances by Ogichidaw Kwe Singers who led attendees in a round dance, Suppynvrlydies & Soufy, and Nanou Djiapo African Drum & Dance who engaged the audience in dance. Native American and African crafts were available for sale, newly harvested wild rice (manoomin) was on display, and tacos free to all.
At the dedication, FORP's Secretary Paul Stark covered the fascinating history of this once popular trail. Soufy offered a Ma'iingan song and elder Lucy Harrison made an offering and blessed the trail. The plaque and boulder dedicated to Etta S. Wilson that disappeared in 1951 will be replaced at a ceremony on Dec. 20, 2022.
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Senior Picnic at Sorensen Recreation Area
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The Friends of Rouge Park and Senior University hosted a Senior Picnic on September 29th. Fifty attendees braved the cooler than normal temperatures and participated in the fun. Seniors were treated to a delicious free lunch from Lil’ Chuck’s Grubox, all to the soundtrack of classic soul and Motown hits. But things got serious when it was time for bingo. Twenty lucky participants went home with gift cards, and a few even won some small prizes like personal blenders, waffle irons, and kitchen scales. Bingo was made possible by our neighborhood police officers who kept things lively while calling out the numbers. We’d like to thank all the participants, the NPOs, and Senior University for your partnership in putting this event together!
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More Info...
See past newsletters and virtual presentations here.
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