The Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative (DECC) mission is to transform the Eastside of Detroit by creating active greenways that connect people and communities. The DECC founded in 1992 is a community development organizations dedicated to revitalizing Detroit’s Eastside with a focus on non-motorize transportation urban pathway development, greenways that support cycling, running, walking, re
creation, the arts and culture. DECC is committed to providing access to greenways designed for clean, safe, and sustainable recreation and alternative transportation. DECC hopes to foster economic development, improve quality of life and encourage healthy lifestyles in residents and visitors. DECC serves Detroit's Eastside bounded by the Detroit River on the south, Woodward Avenue on the west, Eight Mile Road on the north, and the city limits on the east. DECC’s signature project is the Conner Creek Greenway which is a planned nine-mile biking and walking path connecting from Eight Mile south along Conner to the Detroit River. The goal of the Greenway is to reconnect Eastside neighborhoods; give people safe and easy access to the environment, promote healthier lifestyles, improve air and water quality, increase the natural habitat, provide incentives for economic development and enhance the overall quality of life. To date DECC has partnered with the City, County and State to constructed eight miles of the nine-mile path resulting in over $3 million of public improvements. An additional mile is expected to be completed by mid-summer 2015 connecting the Conner Creek Greenway along Van D**e across eight Mile road into the City of Warren. DECC is also working with City of Detroit officials and other organization to design greenway paths along East Jefferson from Lakewood to East Grand Blvd. Maintenance: In addition to designing and building the Conner Creek Greenway, DECC is responsible for maintaining and programming the trail. To date, maintenance has been a partnership and workforce-training program for green jobs with the Greening of Detroit. The Greening hires a greenway crew from local neighborhoods to work solely on the Conner Creek Greenway and two other Detroit trails. Seasonal worker on the trail maintenance includes, mowing, tree trimming, landscaping, trail sweeping, litter removal, graffiti removal, and removal of illegal dumping. The Gratiot Triangle is also included in the trail maintenance plan. Programming: DECC is also responsible for programming the greenway to encourage active living by Detroiters. DECC has partnered with a variety of organizations and local residents to present programs for youth and adults including: kayak tours of the Detroit River, Camp Greenway, youth and adult walking clubs, yoga, vacant lot replanting, art and theatre performances, bike tours, bike repair projects, health fairs, kite days, and self-guided auto history tours. The demand for more programs is growing as evidenced by the demand for mini-grants to host events on the greenway. Each year there is more demand then, there are resources. “Cycle into Spring” a 20-mile bike tour of the Conner Creek Greenway just completed its third year and hosted 700 participants. Earn-A-Bike
One of the programs that is gaining in popularity is DECC’s Earn-A-Bike project, a two-week program for youth ages 12 through 16, where youth that participate:
• Learn to repair and maintain bicycles,
• Receive bicycles for completing the program,
• Receive instructional training on bicycle safety, and
• Conduct community service on a local greenway
Technical Assistance Provider for Detroit Greenways
While several greenways are planned or designed across the City, they are not yet connected or planned in the most sustainable fashion. DECC has been asked to partner with the Detroit Greenway Coalition to act as an implementation resource for groups working on greenway projects, which requires expansion of current capacity. At a baseline level this will include developing a coordinated implementation and funding strategy. In addition, DECC provides technical assistance as needed to local sponsors to help them design, build and manage their greenways.
