(WWJ) The opening date for one of the most anticipated parks in Detroit has been set.
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy announced Thursday the grand opening of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park on the west riverfront along West Jefferson Avenue will be October 25th.
Among the many attractions is a 23-foot tall bear slide, a play garden, basketball courts and water garden.
"There are some absolutely incredible and iconic play structures that were imported from Denmark all featuring Michigan animals, the most notable one is a 23 feet tall bear slide that is permanently viewable from Jefferson, or even on the river itself," Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy told WWJ's Pat Vitale.
The park is one of the most significant projects in the Conservancy’s 22-year history and is another major step forward in completing the non-profit’s goal of developing 5.5 miles of revitalized waterfront along the Detroit Riverfront.
Sullivan says the idea behind it all was to be a welcoming destination to everyone.
"Whether you're here in the city and you can walk or ride your bike to the park or if you're from Metro Detroit or even people visiting internationally, this is clearly going to be a destination that you are not going to want to miss," Sullivan said.
The Conservancy celebrated the completion of the 3.5-mile East Riverfront in the fall of 2023.
The Conservancy says the Detroit Harvest Fest will move to Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park this year and will become a free event filled with live entertainment, fall activities, food trucks and other fun. Additional details about the weekend celebrations surrounding the grand opening of the park and Detroit Harvest Fest will be announced in coming weeks.