Michigan
Detroit
(3)
International Riverfront Park Labyrinths,
Design collaboration with
Jeff Saward
(Photo by Kolby Sills)
The
city of Detroit is in the finishing stages of revitalizing the downtown
riverfront with a series of connecting parks covering
seven linear miles. This energetic reclamation project
will replace the large abandoned buildings left by the numerous auto
and tire manufacturers. Many of these companies have adopted
and funded portions of the project.
We felt fortunate to be included in the process of turning ugly into
green.
We created three labyrinths in Gabriel Richard Park, near the
bridge to Bell Island. As you enter the labyrinth
area, you are welcomed by a small nine foot wide seven path Classic.
This gives you an opportunity to reflect on the long history of labyrinths
and the countless walkers that have gone before. Many people
choose to use this little "cutie" as an energy center for
Thai/Chi and meditation. As you venture along a second
walkway, you encounter a 35' wide circular labyrinth with five circuits.
It has a larger than normal center to accommodate the third labyrinth,
which is a set of nine Greek keys in a 3 X 3 pattern creating an interesting
and
playful space.