Javanna Kolicaj

Dr. Sprague
HON1000 Wednesday
Word Count: 1029 words
Campus Martius Essay
A common ground where children, students, couples, families and friends can venture to
in order to enjoy each others company, all while enjoying the city life that Detroit has to offer, is
what Campus Martius has offer the citizens of Michigan. Originally used for military purposes,1
a goal made by former Detroit Mayor Dennis W. Archer to transform Campus Martius Park into
the best public space in the world2 set the Legacy Project in motion during September 1999.
With a hefty investment of nearly $750 million to Detroit, the American Planning Association
named Campus Martius Park as one of the 10 Great Public Spaces in 20103. With the new
renovations, the question appears to whether or not Campus Martius is an example of Detroit
leaving its past behind or celebrating its past in the present. I believe that Campus Martius Park
is an example of leaving the past behind in order to attempt to remake a prosperous future in
Detroit.
During the late 18th century, Campus Martius served as a military training ground,4 which
was tragically destroyed by a fire in 1805.5 In hopes of recreating Detroit, Judge Augustus
Woodward gathered surveyors from Canada to help plot, design, and brainstorm the citys
layout6. In 1847, the common council filled Campus Martius with 100 yards of dirt in order to
1 "Campus Martius Park." Campus Martius Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
2
3 "Campus Martius Park Named One of Top Ten Great Public Spaces." Michigan Chronicle. N.p., 27 Oct. 2010.
Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
4 "Campus Martius Park Official Website." Campus Martius Park Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
5 "Encyclopedia Of Detroit." Campus Martius Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
6

restore the land that was originally very low and unusable.7 Shortly after, the Civil War began
and the colors were given to the First Michigan Regiment at Campus Martius park, adding to the
military-based history that the park holds.8 With a better playing field, Former Detroit Mayor
Dennis W. Archer set the goal of creating Campus Martius Park as one of the best public spaces
in the world.9 A Campus Martius Park Task Force (made up of 19 members that were large
stakeholders) was created by Detroit 200 and Mayor Archer in order to plot and establish the
details of Campus Martius Park10. The mayor made the announcement of the goal and plan for
Campus Martius Park public in March of 200111, and by late summer of 2003, the Kilpatrick
Administration and City Council approved of the plan for the park creation, which was finally
completed in November 200412. Through this historical background information, it is easy to see
that Campus Martius Park has been historically significant in the military history of the United
States. It has also been through hardships along with the city (i.e., Detroit fire of 1805), adding to
the historical significance of the park.
As many know, experiencing something gives light to a new perspective in comparison to
just researching it. With that being said, I was able to understand more what Campus Martius
Park has to offer through going there. During my trip there, the workers were assembling the tree
in order to prepare for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. They were also assembling the ice
rink where people are able to ice skate while enjoying the view of the city. There were not many
people there since it was early on in the day, so the atmosphere seemed lifeless. With that being
said, I decided to plan a night to go to the park with my friends in order to fully experience what
7 "Campus Martius Park Official Website." Campus Martius Park Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
8 Encyclopedia Of Detroit." Campus Martius Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
9
10 "Campus Martius Park." Campus Martius Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
11
12

the park had to offer.

There was a significant difference when visiting Campus Martius during the night. I was
surprised at how many people were there, all various ethnicities and ages. The city seemed lively
and upbeat, with the city tree glowing and people laughing and attempting to avoid falling on the
ice rink. There were also many cafes, retail shops, and restaurants that gave people a wide variety
of places to eat during the night. The park created a common gathering place where all could
come and enjoy the city. Cities are known for their nightlife and the investment of more than
$750 million dollars13, surely helped Detroit create a more lively and inviting city environment.

13 "Urban Space That Is Changing the Face of Detroit: Campus Martius Park." Life Science Weekly. N.p., 27 Apr.
2010. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

With the research and experience that I now acquired, I was able to see Detroits way of seeing
more accurately. Campus Martius Park began as a place for military training, but is now a place
where family and friends can gather while enjoying the city by going to the heart of it. With that
being noted, I believe that Campus Martius Park is an accurate example of how Detroits way of
seeing is one of which leaves the past behind. The history of Campus Martius Park is extremely
different in the way that the park is now used today. Its past is not reflected in the park today, in
both the physical landscape and the people that visit it. This tells me that Detroiters are people
who leave the past behind in order to focus on a brighter and more prosperous future.

To conclude, Campus Martius Park is an essential part of helping Detroit celebrate the
present and move on from the past. With the special events that the park has to offer, this helps
people enjoy the city and forget about the troubles that the city has gone through. This is what
forms Detroits way of seeing which is one that moves on from the past in order to create a
better future. Campus Martius Park is an example of how Detroit is able to focus on the present
and future and have a joyful time doing it.

Bibliography
"Campus Martius Park." Campus Martius Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
"Campus Martius Park Named One of Top Ten Great Public Spaces." Michigan Chronicle. N.p.,
27 Oct. 2010. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

"Campus Martius Park Official Website." Campus Martius Park Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web.
20 Nov. 2015.
"Encyclopedia Of Detroit." Campus Martius Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
"Urban Space That Is Changing the Face of Detroit: Campus Martius Park." Life Science Weekly.
N.p., 27 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.