Oxygen Alley - Arboretum Detroit

Detroit, Detroit (FUA), United States

City population: 4048421

Duration: 2023 – 2023

Implementation status: Completed

Scale: Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)

Project area: 3642.17 m²

Type of area: Previous derelict area, Residential, Waste disposal site or landfill, Vacant or abandoned land

Last updated: October 2024

The Oxygen Alley project, developed by the NGO Arboretum Detroit, is a green space located in the Poletown East neighborhood of Detroit. Spanning four formerly abandoned lots, the project, completed in 2023, serves as a significant environmental and community initiative aimed at improving local resilience and promoting environmental justice. Named in recognition of the closure of the Detroit waste incinerator—a major source of pollution for over 30 years—the project replaces a long-abused landscape with a thriving greenway that enhances both the ecological health and social well-being of the area. Key features of Oxygen Alley include the planting of air-filtering trees and the creation of a shaded greenway lined with wildflowers, benches, and walking paths. This new green space not only provides a recreational area for residents but also functions as a natural air conditioner, stormwater sponge, and wildlife habitat. It addresses the neighborhood’s lack of tree cover, offering shade and cleaner air while helping mitigate the effects of climate change. The project also underscores the neighborhood's longstanding struggle for environmental justice. The removal of 400 feet of asphalt and the remediation of a polluted landscape highlight the community’s efforts to reclaim and revitalize their environment. Oxygen Alley serves as both a functional green space and a monument to the residents’ victories over the waste industry, symbolizing their continued fight for clean air and livable spaces. Supported by grants from the City of Detroit, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and DTE Energy Foundation, among others, the project was brought to life through over 300 hours of volunteer labor. The creation of this greenway not only improves the neighborhood’s walkability but also offers a vision for a more sustainable and equitable future, serving as a model for urban revitalization projects across Detroit and beyond. (Ref.1,2,3)

Boulder ring at oxygen alley

Arboretum Detroit

Overview

Nature-based solution

Green areas for water management
Swales and filter strips
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces

Key challenges

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Environmental quality
Air quality improvement
Soil quality improvement
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Water management (SDG 6)
Flood protection
Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Social interaction
Environmental and climate justice

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Soil degradation and loss
Air pollution
Land use and Socio-economic change
Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
Disconnection from nature

Key priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Creation of any other green urban spaces, Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens), Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Soil remediation and revegetation, Remediation activities of sites with very poor environmental quality, Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat restoration, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Landfill reclamation, Transformation of vacant land into green spaces, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities

Project objectives

To plant air-filtering trees that absorb pollutants and produce oxygen, contributing to cleaner air in the neighborhood, especially following the closure of the Detroit trash incinerator. To create a natural system that absorbs rainwater, helping to reduce flooding and manage stormwater runoff. To restore a heavily polluted and desiccated landscape by removing asphalt, remediating soil, and planting trees, wildflowers, and shrubs to revitalize the ecosystem. To establish a space that supports biodiversity, including native plants and habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife. To address the neighborhood’s lack of tree cover by providing shaded spaces that lower local temperatures, ensuring equitable access to green spaces. To offer a public park with walking paths, benches, and natural beauty, fostering social interaction and community pride. To serve as a monument to the community’s successful battle against pollution, promoting awareness of environmental justice issues To improve the neighborhood’s walkability by creating a greenway that connects the community from east to west. To involve the local community in decision-making processes (Ref.1,2,3)

Implementation activities

In 2023, implementation work was conducted on Oxygen Alley by members and volunteers from Arboretum Detroit, along with partnering organizations such as Greening of Detroit. This initiative added 0.9 acres of new public green space to the existing 2.5-acre footprint of the Arboretum, acting as a storm water sponge to keep the alley dry. Throughout the project, 20 tons of concrete, rubble, and asphalt were removed, enhancing the area’s natural environment. Additionally, 21 boulders were placed to create natural features within the landscape. To improve soil quality, 100 yards of soil amendments were tilled in, providing a rich foundation for new plant life. As part of the effort to enhance biodiversity, 80 trees and shrubs were planted, contributing to a greener, healthier ecosystem. Accessibility was also prioritized, with the installation of 250 feet of ADA-accessible crushed limestone path and three benches for community use. Furthermore, a 400-foot wood chip walking path was created to connect Treetroit 1 to Callahan Bird Park, promoting recreational opportunities for visitors. Finally, 0.5 acres of native wildflower meadow were seeded, further supporting local wildlife and enhancing the area's ecological diversity. This comprehensive work not only enriches the community’s green spaces but also fosters a sense of pride and connection among residents. (Ref.4)

Climate-focused activities

Climate change adaptation:

Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity restoration:

Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore native species

Main beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups

Governance

Management set-up

Led by non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Taskforce groups
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The project was a collaborative effort led by Arboretum Detroit, a local NGO that led the project, driving both its vision and implementation. The surrounding community played a vital role, dedicating over 300 hours of labor to bring the project to life. Several government entities provided essential support. The City of Detroit contributed through the Neighborhood Beautification Grant, while the Michigan Department of Natural Resources provided funding specifically for tree planting. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation supported the development of a native wildflower meadow. Key funding and support organizations also played important roles. The DTE Energy Foundation, representing Detroit Edison, contributed funding for tree planting. The Greening of Detroit, a local NGO, shared expertise in tree planting efforts, and the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center provided support for environmental justice, specifically advocating for the closure of the incinerator. (Ref.1-3)

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown

... a national policy or strategy? Unknown

... a local policy or strategy? Yes (City of Detroit’s Neighborhood Development Grant, a local strategy aimed at supporting neighborhood revitalization and beautification by providing grants to community organizations, nonprofits, and resident groups. (Ref. 3))

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, Collaboration with other projects that implemented NBS, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

Public local authority budget
Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Private Foundation/Trust

Type of funding

Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of land
Provision of labour
Provision of expertise

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

Climate change
Lowered local temperature
Expected lowered local temperature
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Expected improved air quality
Improved soil quality
Achieved improved soil quality
Water management and blue areas
Improved stormwater management
Expected improved stormwater management
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Achieved increased green space area
Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
Achieved increased conversion of degraded land or soil
Increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed
Achieved increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed
Restoration of derelict areas
Achieved restoration of derelict areas

Economic impacts

Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)

Socio-cultural impacts

Social justice and cohesion
Improved liveability
Expected improved liveability
Improved access to urban green space
Achieved improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

Arboretum Detroit (2023). Oxygen Alley. Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link];

Sherman, J. (2023). Grassroots greenspace projects expand Detroit’s open space network. Planet Detroit, Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link];

Arboretum Detroit (n.d.). Arboretum Detroit Blog. Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link];

Arboretum Detroit (2023). Annual Report 2023. Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link];

Perryman, R. (n.d.). About Poletown East. Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link];

Green, R. (2022). Arboretum Detroit is building a forest and ‘green loop’ of nature spots in Poletown East. Metro Times, Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link];

Robinson, S. (2023). What to do in Detroit for Earth Day. Axios, Accessed on September 4, 2024, [Source link];