“Field of Mars” in Latin. Does that ring a bell? That is what Campus Martius Park translates to and what I would like to share with you today. Welcome to a captivating exploration of Detroit’s green spaces. We will be visiting Denton Park. However, before we delve into the specific wonders of Denton Park, let us take a moment to appreciate the historical context that shapes Detroit’s parks.
Detroit’s park system owes a significant debt to Judge Augustus Woodward. After the devastating fire of 1805, Woodward envisioned a new Detroit. He wanted to rebuild the city following the model of Washington D C. His plan included public spaces that reflected his vision of Detroit’s future greatness. Woodward’s geometric street plan paid homage to his masonic roots. Starting at Campus Martius, he divided the city into equilateral triangles. Then he bisected each angle with a perpendicular line.
Campus Martius Park, a central element of Woodward’s plan, stands as a testament to his vision. Surveyors began at the junction of Woodward and Michigan Avenues. They called it the “Point of Origin.” The mile roads north of the park get their distance from this marker. For example, 8 Mile Road is exactly eight miles north of Campus Martius. In the mid-19th century, Campus Martius was low and marshy. But in 1847, the city filled the park with 100 yards of earth. This allowed for development.
Grand Circus Park is another example of Woodward’s influence. It was established in 1850. The park includes antique statues and old-fashioned fountains. Both Campus Martius and Grand Circus Park derive their names from Woodward’s reverence for ancient Rome.
The Grand Circus Park Historic District surrounds the five-acre Grand Circus Park. It includes the Michigan Mutual Liability Company Complex. The eastern half features the Russell Alger Memorial Fountain. Architect Henry Bacon designed it in 1921. Daniel French designed a statue of an allegorical figure that symbolizes Michigan. Also in the eastern half is a statue of Mayor William Cotter Maybury. Adolph Weinman designed it in 1922.
The western half of Grand Circus Park has the Edison Fountain and a statue of Mayor Hazen Pingree. The statues of the two mayors originally faced each other across Woodward Avenue. After the excavation of the underground garage in the late 1950s, Mayor Maybury’s statue ended up facing the opposite direction. The district has about 40 commercial buildings. They were designed and built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries by famous architects. Albert Kahn, Daniel Burnham and C Howard Crane are some of them. The buildings range from two to 18 stories. They show many architectural styles like Beaux-Arts, Neo-classical and Gothic Revival. Notable buildings include the David Whitney Building, the David Broderick Tower and the Kales Building. The Central United Methodist Church and the Detroit Opera House are also nearby.
Today, Campus Martius Park hosts various events. There is an ice skating rink in winter and live entertainment in spring and summer. The city’s Christmas tree is placed above the Woodward Fountain. The park hosts holiday celebrations like the City of Detroit Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Menorah in the D ceremony. Campus Martius is also the site of Detroit’s annual Motor City Kwanzaa kinara lighting ceremony. As we continue our journey, let us carry with us the spirit of Detroit’s parks. They offer spaces for recreation and reflection.