Arboretum Detroit’s green oasis in Poletown East offers vision for reforesting city

Since 2019, Arboretum Detroit has planted over 1,800 trees across more than 55 formerly vacant parcels in Poletown East, creating connected green spaces. The organization acquires land through the Detroit Land Bank Authority and private donations to protect these emerging forests from speculation or development. This ongoing effort tests what long-term stewardship of vacant urban land can look like.