Hilary Sheppard - Nature Trails to Break Down Racial and Economic Barriers

As my second outside of reading piece, I chose an article entitled "Breaking Down Racial Barriers with Green Space" from the October 2010 issue of Chronicle Philanthropy. The Dequindre Cut is an "urban pathway" created in Detroit to connect the Eastern Market to the riverfront (or basically the suburban areas to the more urban areas of Detroit). The path attracts hikers, bicyclists, and picnickers who not only are able to experience nature, but also admire the abundance of grafiti art that the path showcases. Detroit remains the most racially segregated city in America, and the path was created to help put an end to the racial barriers. When people get on the path, they enjoy themselves and do not recognize when they pass from the suburban area into Detroit. The plan seems to be working in aiding the community. This article was really interesting because it featured nature as a means to bring people of a community together. Its almost like communitas in the way that the people will form bonds through this path and will not notice things about people, such as race, that they would normally notice.