Detroit Time Travel

History and development History The Globe Building played a significant role in the maritime history of the Great Lakes as a manufacturer of marine steam engines for freight and passenger vessels. Detroit Dry Dock Engine Works built six buildings on the site of what is now the Outdoor Adventure Center. The first building was erected in 1892 at the corner of Orleans and Atwater streets. After the Detroit Shipbuilding Company dissolved in the late 1920s, the former engine-building plant was used by a small stove manufacturer, the Detroit Edison Company for appliance repair, and a wholesale machinery firm, the Globe Trading Company. During the 1930s, the Detroit Police Department used Dry Dock #2 as a boat launch for the capture of rumrunners. Henry Ford worked at Detroit Dry Dock Engine Works from 1880-1882 as an apprentice machinist, learning the skills associated with his first love, steam-powered engines.

Development In the late 1990s, the State of Michigan and the Department of Natural Resources had the vision to create an outdoor recreation location on the riverfront in Detroit. In 2007, this vision began to become a reality with the creation of Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor, Michigan’s first urban state park. At this time, the DNR tried to include the Globe Building in the development but was unsuccessful. Over the following years, the DNR worked to establish partnerships to develop the space, and in 2011 they successfully bought the OAC for $13 million. On July 20th, 2015 the center officially opened to the public and included features such as a 40-foot-tall interactive tree; bicycle, kayak, canoe, off-road vehicle, and fishing boat simulators; a 3,000-gallon freshwater aquarium; a man-made waterfall with 36-foot drop; and a life-size beaver lodge and eagle’s nest.

Causes and effects Causes The development of the OAC is part of a larger restoration project revolving around Detrioit’s International Riverfront, aimed at stimulating the city's recovery and livability. In particular, the OAC was designed to encourage young people to learn about (and eventually enter) Michigan’s extensive natural landscapes safely. Additionally, in this time of climate crisis, the Department of Natural Resources hopes to promote climate-aware and responsible generations.

Effects The changes show that this center is now a place where visitors can experience and learn about outdoor activities. The effect of this is that visitors get inspired and introduced to Michigan's natural, historical, and cultural resources. Moreover, visitors, especially children, learn about how Michigan's state parks, forests, wildlife, and fisheries are managed. In this way, the center provides resources and information and encourages visitors to go outside the city, where some of them have never been before, to participate in Michigan's outdoor recreation. Since outdoor recreation has a more significant impact on the US economy than sectors such as agriculture and mining (2% of national GDP), the center also contributes to the national economy by getting urbanites outside the city and into nature.

Visit Outdoor Adventure Center On the 26th of April 2023, group 5 consisting of Emiel, Emmeline, Fleur, Giacomo, and Hans visited the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit! On this bright and sunny day, the Outdoor Adventure Center looks very beautiful. While walking up to the building, we could already recognize the structure and the space surrounding it. It felt funny to see a "familiar" building in an unfamiliar city!

After a quick look around inside where a lot of children were having the time of their lives, we could conclude that the interior has not changed since we last saw the pictures online. There are more than enough opportunities for children to play, run, and climb! Unfortunately, we (and in particular Hans) we too tall to enjoy all the structures like the children could. But we sure enjoyed watching them and reliving our own childhood memories!

Outside the Center, there is some green space and the riverside. Here, we could enjoy a nice walk and go to the lighthouse. There were quite some people who also enjoyed the outdoor space by cycling, running, or chilling in the sun. At the end of our walk, right in front of the Outdoor Adventure Center, we saw an amazing big "compass" of the Department of Natural Resources of Michigan on the ground. It was a beautiful sight next to the Center to end our visit with!

"If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you" (State motto - Michigan)