multi-generational riverfront experience
The Shed at Valade Park
Robert C. Valade Park honors the late Detroit native and former CEO of Carhartt. The family-friendly urban park brings a playground, floating barge, and shed pavilion to the riverfront.
vision
The project includes a sandy “beach,” play areas for kids, and food and drink offerings, Atwater Beach will be created along the east riverfront between Chene Park East and Stroh River Place.
detail
The Shed pavilion provides all seasons event space complete with full-service kitchen, restrooms, and large overhead doors to open in the warmer months. Care was taken when selecting materials for the park: the beach is filled with sand from Western Michigan sand dunes; a musical garden includes chimes made from recycled materials; three playground houses—inspired by lifeguard stations—are built with Garapa wood. The seasonal floating beer barge features reclaimed Detroit lumber and tailgates.
secret
Valade Park added 30 trees, 60 shrubs, a community barbeque area, and 36,000 square feet of lawn to the riverfront while preserving 20 trees from the original lot, previously Coast Gurard buoy storage.
