Free Wi-Fi available at parks along the Detroit riverfront
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
From the detroitnews.com
Detroit — Want to take your work outdoors along the Detroit River, but need Wi-Fi? Your options just expanded.
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy announced Wednesday that free Wi-Fi is now available at Robert C. Valade Park and Cullen Plaza, which are about a mile apart, both off Atwater along the riverfront.
Wi-Fi is provided by Cronus, a local Detroit internet service provider, and funded by General Motors.
Rachel Frierson, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy programming director, said the effort to get wireless internet into the outdoor public spaces stems from how the parks were used during the pandemic.
"We noticed that more people were spending time in out parks meeting with colleagues and working remotely," Frierson said in a statement.
The conservancy has been adapting it's events on the Riverwalk since the pandemic began.
Events such as 'Work form the Park' debuted during the pandemic to encourage people to work outside while visiting the park. The event is coming back this summer 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month, and now Wi-Fi is available.
"Working in the park provides a change in the day to day and allows people to connect with their community and nature in this increasingly virtual world," Frierson said.
Detroit Riverwalk sees over 3 million visitors annually and was voted by USA Today to be the best Riverwalk in the country. The conservancy has invested in riverfront revitalization efforts since 2003.
Park visitors can accss the Wi-Fi by connecting to "Riverfront WiFi" without a passwored during park hours, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.