If you happen to ride in one of the 110,000 vehicles traveling on the Lodge Freeway in Southfield each day, no doubt you’ve noticed the bright red poles that line the service drive.
Installed in 2017 and named “Red Pole Park,” the poles represent the first art installation as a gateway feature on the Northwestern Highway Pathway and Greenway, a project intended to enhance Southfield’s pedestrian-friendly initiative and help bring recognition to the first phase of the Southfield City Centre Trail that now extends 8.75 linear miles.
According to Terry Croad, AICP, ASLA, Director of Planning for the City of Southfield, “The Red Pole Park signifies an abstract grove of trees as well as the city’s past, present and future as we celebrate our history, growth and potential.”
The varying heights of the poles honor ancestors, present generations and future growth, with blue lights on the tallest ones symbolizing Michigan lighthouses for safe passage. Red Pole Park was made possible through crowdfunding (Patronicity) and matching funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation using repurposed utility poles donated by DTE and designed by HED, a Royal Oak-based integrated architecture and engineering firm.
The immersive art installation was designed to engage walkers, runners and drivers on the adjacent Lodge Freeway service drive, making the area more walkable and inviting.
