Ahmad Baiyasi
Honors 1000
Dr. Buccellato
24 September 2014
Who Are We? Campus Martius
Campus Martius Park is an important gathering area for downtown Detroit. The re-established commercial center is undergoing constant renovation, with added public attractions such as new street level cafes and public sculptures to help attract Detroiters to one of the most vibrant parts of the city. Zlati Meyer states that Campus Martius helps to essentially revitalize downtown Detroit both economically and socially by getting people outside to enjoy their city (Meyer). Known as the “Point of Origin", the park is one of Detroit’s premiere areas. The historical decay and eventful rise of Campus Martius demonstrate Detroit’s own struggle for restoration. From its historical significance, physical, and behavioral aspects Campus Martius illustrates the city of Detroit and its citizens, a hopeful and persistent group of people.
Campus Martius, translated as “military ground” in Latin, was named after a 180-foot stockade in Marietta, Ohio. It served as a militia training area in the late 18th century (Campus Martius). The fire of 1805 severely damaged the city of Detroit, prompting Judge Augustus Woodward to remake the entire city on a grid plan similar to Washington, D.C (Martelle). He organized the street and park layouts, and elicited help from some of the most recognized Canadian surveyors. They established the “Point of Origin” located in present day Campus Martius. This point is now the center of Michigan’s coordinate grid system; in other words, 5 mile road is 5 miles north of Campus Martius (About Campus). At that time, the area around Campus Martius was unsuitable for industrial landscape, as it was very marshy. In 1847, the council accordingly filled the area with 100 yards of earth, allowing for the development of the park’s notable greenery (Campus Martius). The first Michigan Regiment received its colors at the park before reporting to duty in the Civil War, and the park was eventually selected as the location for the Civil War monument (About Campus). Unfortunately, the park slowly began to fade away in the 1900s as the city reconfigured the area to accommodate for an increase in traffic marked by the automobile era. The park continued its decline into the mid-20th century (About Campus). September of 1999 marks the revitalization of the park by Former Mayor Dennis Archer and the Detroit 300 Inc (Campus Martius). The city council approved the reconstruction plan in May 2003, and the grand opening of the park occurred November 19th, 2004 (About Campus). Today, Campus Martius hosts the annual ice rink, Detroit’s Christmas tree, the Motown Winter Blast, and two stages for live entertainment, all of which gather citizens together to enjoy what Detroit has to offer.
Campus Martius is a circular area of about two square blocks surrounded by several buildings. Its location makes it the centerpiece of the historic city of Detroit. A couple of banks corner the southern and eastern side of the park, while several restaurants surround the remaining parts of the area. Dining options are ethnically diverse, with Asian, Hispanic, and Russian cafes a short walk from the park. The Woodward fountain with its multiple water jets is the cornerstone of the park. The main Bistro features a French dining experience in a causal atmosphere that overlooks the fountain. Trees and flowers enclose the periphery of the park. The Michigan Soldiers and Sailors monument sits atop a tall granite base near the south end. Two Corner Markers provide visible beacons at the park entrance. The Woodward Marker is representative of industry and technology, and the Monroe Marker is representative of Arts and Culture (Campus Martius). Park gardens and tree canopies establish a tranquil atmosphere throughout the park. Above all, Campus Martius Park provides a serene and diverse setting amidst the commotion of downtown

(Ajmani).
I observed several people at the park during the day of my visit. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves. There were mainly elderly people, although there was a younger segment of the population dining at the Bistro. Most of the visitors were either playing chess in the garden, or taking a stroll and casually observing the scenery. Generally, Campus Martius is a restful social lounge in the midst of downtown Detroit.
Physical and behavioral analyses of Campus Martius reveal who we are as Detroiters. Its location as the center of the grid system, surrounded by commerce and financial activity, displays the functional practicality of the city and the citizen’s desire for organization and structure. Detroit therefore fits American city planner Kevin Lynch’s practical model of a city (Rybczynski). Putting banks around the park is Detroit’s attempt at bringing business and financial activity to help revitalize the city. The myriad of dining options demonstrates Detroit as a multicultural city. Campus Martius provides live entertainment to satisfy our need for social gatherings. The Sailors and Soldiers monument, frequently visited by the park patrons, shows our patriotism to the city of Detroit. The attitude and demeanor of the park visitors is indicative of Detroiters’ optimistic outlook on the future of the city despite its past struggles. “This is the positive side of Detroit,” explains Luaren at Detroit’s 313th birthday celebration held at Campus Martius. The celebration “was all about the good things, from new investment downtown to a growing sense of community” (Abdel-Razzaq).
Campus Martius represents a certain section of Detroiters and their history. It would be fallacious to argue that the park accurately represents all of Detroit. The small sample size of Campus Martius does not account for the poverty and crime still prevalent throughout the city. Four out of ten Detroit families live below the poverty line, making “Detroit the poorest of the nation’s big cities” (Martelle). The park can, however, serve as template for the rest of Detroit. Its downfall in the late 20th century and re-establishment in 2004 demonstrate the revitalization Detroiters are capable of.

Works Cited
Abdel-Razzaq, Lauren. "Detroit's 313th birthday party takes flight (sort of) in Campus Martius." The Detroit News. N.p., 24 July 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
"About Campus Martius Park." Campus Martius Park Official Website. DTE Energy Foundation, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
Ajmani, Virender. “Campus Martius Park.” Web Image. Updated Google Earth Imagery. Mibazzar, 25 Oct. 2007. 23 Sept. 2014.
"Campus Martius Park." Encyclopedia of Detroit. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.
Martelle, Scott. Detroit: a biography. Chicago, Ill.: Chicago Review Press, 2012. Print.
Meyer, Zlati. "Downtown Detroit Partnership throws a beach party at Campus Martius." Detroit Free Press. N.p., 28 June 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
Rybczynski, Witold. City life. New York : Simon & Schuster New York, 1995. Print.