DECC’s signature project is the Conner Creek Greenway; a planned nine-mile path connecting from Eight Mile south along Conner to the Detroit River. DECC has constructed seven of the nine-mile path resulting in over $3.5 million of improvements. In addition, DECC supports a green jobs workforce-training program to maintain the greenway led by the Greening of Detroit.
DECC also partners with stakeholders to present programs including: Detroit River kayak tours, Camp Greenway, youth and adult walking clubs, earn-a-bike programs, kite day, yoga, vacant lot replanting, art and theatre performances, bike tours, and health fairs. “Cycle into Spring” is now an annual 20 mile bike tour of the Conner Creek Greenway taking place each May in partnership with Tour-de-Troit. Thousands of families are provided with active living opportunities along the greenway each year.
Summer Events for Everyone Along the Conner Creek Greenway
Make sure to check out the calendar of events to the right for Summer Happenings along the Conner Creek Greenway. Are you looking for activities for youth? Check out the Earn a Bike program, Camp Greenway with the Greening of Detroit, Nortown’s Olympian “U,” and Free Tuskegee Airmen Flights with Friends of City Airport. Are you looking for ways to get out and active in Detroit? Check out Kayak trips on the Detroit River with Riverside Kayak Connection and Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Tours. Call DECC at (313) 571-2800 x3495 for more information.
The Conner Creek Greenway
The Conner Creek Greenway will stretch from 8 Mile Road south to the Detroit River, tracing the original Conner Creek. It links people, parks, greenspaces, neighborhoods, schools and shops. The Conner Creek Greenway will improve Detroit’s eastside by creating: pedestrian and bike paths, beautification with plants and flowers, historical signage, spin-off business opportunities and a better environment. 
The trail system will connect the eastside communities with greenways along the Detroit River and across Southeast Michigan. The Conner Creek Greenway unites the eastside in celebrating the past and welcoming the future.
The Conner Creek Greenway was initiated by the Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative (DECC) to connect eastside residents and visitors to the Detroit River. DECC has completed almost five of the nine planned miles of path to date. The first phase of the Conner Creek Greenway is the delightful little Milbank Greenway, passing through the abandoned Milbank right-of-way between Van Dyke and Conner near 8 Mile Road. Other completed sections include a mixed-use biking and walking path beginning at Conner Playfield at Conner & Harper and ending at Coleman A. Young International Airport, bike lanes along St. Jean from Mack to Jefferson, a mixed-use biking and walking path along Conner and Clairpointe south of Jefferson, improving Maheras Gentry Park, and improvements between 6 and 8 mile Roads along Outer Drive and Conner St.
Summer 2015 a new connection from East Outer Drive to 8 Mile Road along Van Dyke will be constructed to make it easier for riders to travel north across 8 Mile Road. The vision for the Conner Creek Greenway is to eventually link all the eastside communities, social agencies, schools, recreation areas and businesses. For example, a student at Osborn High School could meet her friends at the Lipke Recreational Center, stop at the Warren Conner Shopping District and continue on to a family picnic at Maheras Gentry Park.
