DETROIT, Mich.— The Huron-Clinton Metroparks is proud to announce that its director, Amy McMillan, has been appointed to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Board of Directors. The appointment highlights McMillan’s unwavering dedication to making public spaces accessible, her passion for the outdoors and her dedication to creating meaningful community impact across Southeast Michigan by connecting people to the benefits of parks.
McMillan’s (left) love for nature and the environment began at a young age growing up on her family’s Centennial Farm in Midland, Michigan. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the parks and recreation sector, McMillan started her career as an intern at the Metroparks before serving as director for the City of Ypsilanti and the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission and then
returning to the Metroparks as director in 2018. In this role, Amy is responsible for leading the Metroparks in its management of nearly 25,000 acres of land across five counties to protect and restore the biodiversity of natural spaces while balancing ecological stewardship with recreational uses.
“The Conservancy has done incredible work to transform Detroit’s waterfront into a world-class public space that connects people to nature, fosters community and drives economic development,” McMillan said. “I look forward to working alongside other Board members as we continue the important mission of transforming Detroit’s riverfront and its greenspaces into welcoming and accessible gathering spaces for all and connecting more people to the benefits that parks can provide.”
The Metroparks are made up of 13 properties spanning Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. In 2020, the Metroparks announced plans to expand its presence into Detroit through a partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. And in 2023, announced that the water feature at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park will be named the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden.
The 2.5-acre water garden is one of the four main attractions inside the 22-acre park, which is scheduled to open along the West Riverfront in 2025. The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden will be the first-ever Metroparks location within the City of Detroit and will feature numerous opportunities for visitors to experience the water through winding walking paths, tranquil seating areas, educational signage and open-air classrooms where engaging programming with students and visitors will take place.
To learn more about the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, please visit www.metroparks.com .
About the Huron-Clinton Metroparks
One of America’s premier metropolitan park systems, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks has served the people of Southeast Michigan since 1940. Managed by the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, the Metroparks are made up of 13 properties in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. The Metroparks are open 365 days a year and encompass 25,000 acres of nature and recreational facilities. Each year more than 1.5 million people engage with the Metroparks to enjoy amenities such as picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, nature study, biking, golf, disc golf, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and a diversity of outdoor programs and special events. The Metroparks also provide educational resources on science, nature, history and the environment.
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