Metro Detroiters are encouraged to vote and keep the city’s beloved gathering place on top
DETROIT – The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) today announced that Campus Martius Park is once again in the running for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Public Square in the country. Having held the No. 1 title for the past two years, Detroit’s iconic park and an example of Downtown Detroit’s Partnership’s success in urban placemaking, is striving to uphold its ranking for a third consecutive year – and every vote counts!
A national and international destination, Campus Martius Park welcomes more than 4.5 million visitors annually. With more than 1,200 dynamic, year-round activities, entertainment and events of all sizes, the park offers something for everyone. Highlights include the annual Detroit Tree Lighting presented by the DTE Foundation, the popular Movie Nights in the D, lively parties at The Beach and The Rink, an award-winning outdoor skating rink recognized with a USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award.
In 2024, the Downtown Detroit Partnership debuted CHALET 313 designed by Gardner White at the park. The two-story, glass-enclosed lounge offered cozy seating, a vibrant bar and breathtaking 360-degree views of The Rink at Campus Martius Park and Detroit’s skyline during this past holiday and winter seasons.
“Being voted the No. 1 public square in the country for the past two years is a true honor for Detroit and we’re excited to continue showcasing the vibrancy of Downtown Detroit,” said David Cowan, chief public spaces officer for the Downtown Detroit Partnership. “Campus Martius Park is the heartbeat of the city, providing an incredible gathering place for residents and visitors year-round, and we encourage everyone to vote to help us keep this title in Detroit.”
Since 2000, the Downtown Detroit Partnership, in collaboration with the city of Detroit, has been the recognized leader in designing, constructing, programming and managing award-winning, world class and historically significant parks and public spaces across the city. Today, this includes 18 downtown parks and public spaces, including Campus Martius Park, Beacon Park, Cadillac Square, Capitol Park, The Woodward Esplanade, Beatrice Buck Park and Grand Circus Park. Campus Martius Park plays host to major events like the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, Detroit Free Press Marathon and Detroit Jazz Festival. It also served as a key venue for the 2024 NFL Draft, drawing a record-breaking 775,000 people over the three-day event.
Campus Martius Park has won countless awards for public space design, management, operations, placemaking and programming over the past two decades, including the first ULI Amanda Burton Award and International Downtown Association Award of Excellence. Located in the heart of Downtown, this famous park was created in 2003 at the site of Detroit’s point of origin, where the vision for the city’s plan was originally laid out by Augustus Woodward in 1805.
Nominees for 10Best are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers are then permitted to vote once per category, per day.
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
For more information about Campus Martius Park and the other Downtown Detroit parks and public spaces managed and programmed by the Downtown Detroit Partnership, visit downtowndetroit.org.
For information about USA Today’s 10Best awards and the list of nominees for Best Public Square, visit 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-public-square-2025.
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About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community. DDP is responsible for programming, managing and operating several of Downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces. For more information, visit downtowndetroit.org.
