Dequindre Cut Greenway

The Grand Trunk Rail line was an integral piece of the country’s rapidly growing transit system for the burgeoning industrial boom. Products and supplies that were produced needed to be delivered from coast to coast, especially from the mighty industrial Mid-West. Rail to service passengers and freight between Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana became the Grand Trunk Western Rail Line. Detroit was entrenched in factories and industry, perpetually erecting new factories and plants all over the city. With a convoluted urban road system that resembled the spokes of a bicycle wheel rather than a cohesive traffic buffer. The city of Detroit decided to run a Grand Trunk route through the inner city of Detroit right near downtown. The recessed rail line project, known as the Dequindre Cut, took about a decade to complete and resulted in construction of new street bridges. The rail relieved traffic of passengers and cargo from the bustling industrial city. 

 

In the post-industrialized Detroit context, factories shuttered while the population fled the city. Passenger service on the Grand Trunk ceased in the 1980’s and freight service shuttered soon after. The recessed rail line through the streets of Detroit was left to return to its roots. The decades after the closure of the rail, the Dequindre Cut became covered in vegetation and overgrowth. Within the past few years, the city of Detroit decided to refurbish the Dequindre Cut and turn it into an urban greenway. 

The Dequindre Cut Greenway begins near the Renaissance Center at the Detroit River Walk. The Dequindre Cut will eventually continue through the River Walk to Eastern Market, but currently is about a mile in length. The freshly paved pathway of the Cut is a nice contrast to many of the streets and sidewalks within Detroit. There are bicycle lanes as well as pedestrian walking lanes to utilize while traversing the path. The flowers that are placed along the path are quite stunning, with beautiful shades of orange, red, purple, and yellow. The cleanliness and care that is taken so seriously within the Dequindre Cut is something to be appreciated. 

The best sights to drink in are those under the overpass bridges and painted on the concrete canvases. The graffiti in the Dequindre Cut is world renowned, not just some average tags. The craftsmanship and creativity is strikingly apparent, with subtle social commentary and embracement of popular culture nuances.  One of my favorite pieces is a hooded zombie-like ghoul sporting a bow tie. He is holding a jar with the line above him “Never Out of Mustard”. One piece depicts an epic battle between some sort of sorcerer and a magical jester. The Vlassik pickles bird is crashing the party with his delicious wares. There is a fresh twist on a Frankenstein, with big curious eyes and a playful giant hole in his forehead. The little Frankenstein is still sporting a mischievous grin.

 There are plenty of gems to discover along the Dequindre Cut, from the art to the scenery. The greenway is a really great spot to enjoy a walk or bicycle ride in the city.