The American Planning Association has recognized Campus Martius Park as one of the Great Public Spaces in the country. The park in the heart of downtown was a project of the Detroit 300 celebration and opened in 2004. Since then it has been a popular gathering place for events, winter ice skating and casual lunches.

The APA called Campus Martius a place "unique to Detroit that is gaining nationwide attention." The park was among ten that earned places on the Great Public Spaces this year.

Last spring, the Urban Land Institute also honored Campus Martius Park with its first Urban Land Institute Amanda Burden Urban Open Space Award. That award recognizes an outstanding example of a public open space that has catalyzed the transformation of the surrounding community.

At the time, chair of the New York City Planning Commission Amanda Burden said, "What makes Campus Martius Park work so well is that quite simply, it's a place where people want to spend time.  As a result, it's a magnet for investment. That's the definition of a successful urban open space."

The Downtown Development Authority contributed to the planning and construction of the $20 million park for exactly those reasons. And it has paid off. Thousands of new people are coming to work downtown as General Motors, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Quicken Loans, GalaxE and others are moving or consolidating offices here. Campus Martius is a welcoming place for them. In fact, the park attracts more than two million visitors a year.

The Detroit Council of the Urban Land Institute will honor Edsel B. Ford II and Peter Karmanos, Jr. for their contribution toward the development of Campus Martius Park at its first Placemaker Award dinner November 11 at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit.