To start, we conducted an initial site assessment using GIS technology and spatial analysis techniques with Associate Professor Robert Goodspeed from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Using machine learning models, we analyzed the correlation between population distributions, green spaces, and existing sidewalk infrastructure in the Gratiot area revealing that areas with the highest concentrations of fragmented sidewalks and brownfields often correlated with neighborhoods characterized by lower median incomes and higher population densities.

During this process, we took into account specific contaminants in industrial brownfields, such as heavy metals and hydrocarbons, influenced our design strategy to prioritize safe and accessible trail routes.

We were able to reach out to P.h.D. civil engineering student Tanmay Vora to design a 2.5-mile public trail system around the brownfields in the Gratiot Town/Kettering neighborhood near the Packard Automotive Plant. We worked closely with UMich professors, local high school students, Visionary members, and a few local architects to draft a detailed plan.

Using CAD software and insights from our site surveys, we incorporated small connections to link existing sidewalks and pocket parks, ensuring accessibility for all community members. The design features included strategically placed benches made from reclaimed materials, solar-powered LED lighting for safety at night, strategically placed trash bins to mitigate littering, and bilingual signage.

To finance the implementation of the trail system in Gratiot Town/Kettering, we pursued a targeted approach leveraging local partnerships and grant opportunities. We collaborated with  the Detroit Greenways Coalition — known for supporting community-driven projects that enhance urban green spaces and pedestrian infrastructure.

We also secured a grant with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) under their Recreation Passport Grant Program, which provides funding for local trail projects.

With funding secured through grants from the Detroit Greenways Coalition and the MDNR Recreation Passport Grant Program, we mobilized a labor force sourced from local trade schools, community volunteer groups, and fellow high school students. This provided hands-on learning opportunities for high school students interested in the area. Once we acquired city approval and permits from the Detroit's Department of Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department, construction began.

Using local contractors and community volunteers, we cleared and prepared the designated trail routes, ensuring minimal disruption to existing ecosystems and neighborhoods. Using sustainable materials sourced locally wherever possible, such as recycled asphalt and natural stone for pathways, we also installe durable signage, strategically placed lighting for evening use, and ADA-compliant amenities like benches and accessible rest areas along the trail. Along once-empty pocket parks, we planted native vegetation.

By January, we were able to complete Sections 1 and 2 of the trail and project that Section 3 will be completed by April.

After the completion of Sections 1 and 2, we celebrated several significant outcomes. The project saw an approximate 28% increase in neighborhood foot traffic, indicating improved community engagement and usage of public spaces. Additionally, residents reported feeling safer due to enhanced lighting and increased social cohesion fostered by communal activities along the trail.

We saw a noticeable decrease in vandalism around brownfield sites, attributed to increased community ownership and surveillance of these areas. Economically, property values within a quarter-mile radius of the trail increased by an average of 15%, signaling renewed interest and investment in the neighborhood.

After the successful implementation of the trail system and green space enhancements in Detroit's Gratiot Town/Kettering neighborhood, we plan to initiate a targeted policy advocacy campaign to secure long-term support and sustainability for their urban revitalization efforts.
We hope to contact Detroit City Council member Fred Durhal III (District 7) and propose an amendment to municipal zoning regulations to mandate green space allocations in redevelopment projects, inspired by similar initiatives in cities like Portland and San Francisco.

To help us accomplish this initiative, we're partnering with the Detroit Blight Busters to amplify our advocacy efforts through joint petitions and community forums using data analytics from our site assessments and community impact reports as case studies to demonstrate how local green infrastructure can help mitigate Detroit's decades-long struggle with industrial brownfields.

The process began by reaching out to students at Crestwood High School, who spread awareness about the potential benefits of increased participation in the GLOBE program, an opportunity for students to author an environmental research report presented at an end-of-year international virtual symposium. These student leaders, alongside AP Environmental Science teacher Mrs. Diana Johns, helped bridge the communication gap between the GLOBE program, the student body, and and the school's science department.

Once we garnered initial interest, Visionary Detroit students worked with the science department to create a structured plan for better integrating the GLOBE program into the school’s curriculum.

This involved developing specific modules and projects aligned with the existing curriculum but enriched with GLOBE protocols. For example, biology classes incorporated hydrospheric research projects, while earth science classes included atmospheric data collection and analysis.

Additionally, students worked with the school to create promotional materials, including posters, flyers, and social media campaigns, at the start of the school year to continuously remind and encourage students to participate in the GLOBE program. They also set up an information booth during school events to engage with students and answer any questions.

Once we established the partnership with GLOBE and integrated environmental research into school curriculum, we focused on promoting student research projects. The aim was to encourage students to undertake in-depth studies on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and pedosphere, culminating in a final research paper that students presented at the GLOBE International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS).

Students were encouraged to choose research topics that aligned with their interests and local environmental issues. Visionary Detroit provided examples of potential projects to spark ideas and demonstrate the scope of research they could undertake. Some examples of student projects included:

• Comparing the effect of select atmospheric variables on artificial light pollution at night
  

• TerraRover 2 engineered to detect and record potential atmospheric implications of the 2024 solar eclipse
  

• Seasonal variations in select water quality parameters in a southeastern Michigan river:
  

• An analysis of select weather parameters and aircraft noise levels in Dearborn Heights, Michigan:
  

• A longitudinal study comparing select atmospheric parameters with air pollutant levels in southeastern Michigan
  

To further support these projects, we established a mentorship program where students could receive guidance from experienced researchers and professionals in environmental science. The Crestwood HS science department also set up a resource library with equipment and materials needed for data collection and analysis, ensuring students had access to the necessary tools.

We also organized an annual science fair where students could present their research findings to their peers, teachers, and the local community. This event provided a platform for students to showcase their work, receive feedback, and celebrate their achievements. Prizes, such as certificates of recognition and opportunities to attend environmental science conferences, were awarded to outstanding projects.

During the IVSS, Crestwood HS, 125 student researchers during the 23-24 school year were collectively granted 32 awards for their outstanding work.