Dequindre Cut Walk Info.

I received this post on an email group that I belong to. I think that a hike down the Dequindre Cut might be very interesting. It's June 24th.

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris L. [mailto:clesnies@...]
Sent: Fri 6/8/2007 7:52 PM
To: clesnies@...
Subject: Re: Dequindre Cut Walk

Hello all, Sorry about the lack of updates. Been a little busy with other things at the moment. Ok, so we have scheduled the Dequindre Cut walk for Sunday, June 24th. While there were some good suggestions for parking, I think that parking near the new Staples on E. Jefferson on Joseph Campau might be the best choice. There's some condos over there, the Atwater Block brewery is there, and it's a reasonable distance to the southern entrance of thecut. Be prepared to be there at 10am. We'll nail down a specific meeting spot as the date gets closer. As far as what kind of attire should be worn, I would suggestfull-length jeans/Dickies along with a long sleeve shirt. You can pickup some button-ups cheap at thrift stores and they'll keep you relatively cool. I would recommend thick-soled shoes; no flip-flops, sandals, or slip ons. We'll be walking on rocks, dirt, assorted brush, in addition to whatever has been accumulated down there over the years(paint cans, glass bottles, rail spikes, rail ties, etc). I've included a Google Map of the walk in the bottom of this e-mail. This shows the approximate meeting location and highlights the actual cut in green. The cut itself is about 1 to 1.5 miles long. Factor in the walk from the meeting spot and you have a 2-mile walk at least. Expect to be out and about for 2 to 3 hours. Because of this, I would suggest bringing some water and some snacks - granola bars, trail mix, or pretzels work well. Someone asked about breaking off from the group during the tour. While I cannot stop anyone from staying at a bridge or deciding they need to leave in the middle of the hike, I would advise against it. There's pretty much only a couple easy ways in, and we'll be using two of those entry points on our hike. The issue of safety also comes into play here. One or two people alone are easier targets than a mob of 10-20 people. As far as talking points go, most of it will be informal. I'm not going to make everyone stand around for an hour while I blather on about nothing in particular. At each of the bridges there will be opportunities to stop and photograph the artwork.. While there we'll probably inform tour-goers of the particulars about the pieces at that spot. So there won't be continuous blather but expect bursts of it at each bridge. If you think that someone you know may be interested in hearing about this project, or may wish to contribute to the Dequindre Cut Walk in any way, send their e-mail address my way and I can include them onfuture e-mails.

Regards,Chris Lesnieski
E-mail: clesnies@...
Cell: 734-945-0280
Link:http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=102278440991339833954.00000112814a725467e82

Chris L. wrote:> Hello all!>> First off, I'd like to thank you for your interest in this project. > The more people we have involved or engaged in this project, I believe> the more successful and unique experience the walk will turn out to be.>> This initial e-mail is primarily for giving you my contact information> (found at the bottom) and to throw out a couple of ideas to everyone. > As this project becomes more fleshed-out, I will send out e-mails> updating everyone on the specifics of it. Of course, your input is> more than welcome on any of these issues or anything else you may> foresee!>> One issue which might seem to be the most problematic is the issue of> when. In terms of time of day, ideally it would be nice to conduct> this walk in the morning when it's cooler and when we are less likely> to encounter other people down there. In terms of a calendar date, we> will probably be looking at sometime in July. Holding it in two or> three weeks (early to mid-June) may be a bit of a rush. The Detroit> fireworks will happen the last weekend of June, so I don't believe we> need to make that weekend any busier as it is.>> The other issue - for now - is more logistical in nature. Mainly,> where will people park, get picked up at, enter and exit the cut, and> if anyone can provide transportation. It has been suggested that we> park somewhere close to the RenCen, possibly at McNarney's on Franklin> St. From there, entering the cut on the south end at E. Jefferson,> walking the entire cut to a few blocks north of Gratiot, where we will> come top-side on Division. For the trip back to everyone's cars,> having a bar or establishment that has some sort of bus shuttle us> back would be ideal. Vivio's was one name thrown out there that I> will be looking into.>> Now, here's some links to get people caught up on the background, the> location, and the types of things to experience down in the cut.>> Probably the most-linked article in regards to the cut:> http://www.modeldmedia.com/features/dequindre.aspx>> An update on the cut which links to a Freep article:> http://www.modeldmedia.com/inthenews/dequindrecut9207.aspx>> Google Map showing path to be walked:> http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=102278440991339833954.00000112814a725467e82> <http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=102278440991339833954.00000112814a725467e82>>>>> If you think that someone you know may be interested in hearing about> this project, or may wish to contribute to the Dequindre Cut Walk in> anyway, send their e-mail address my way and I can include them on> future e-mails.>> Regards,> Chris Lesnieski> E-mail: clesnies@...> Cell: 734-945-0280>