Rachel Frierson
(she/her)
Director of Programming, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

Rachel Frierson is the director of programming for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. In this role, Rachel oversees and implements the diverse program offerings that activate the Detroit Riverwalk and Dequindre Cut to create a world-class gathering space for 3.5 visitors annually.

Throughout her tenor at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Rachel has led a public programming team that provides more than 200 free and low-cost public programs on the Detroit Riverfront each year and she manages various special projects for the Conservancy.

During the pandemic, Rachel led a partnership with the University of Michigan to utilize the Conservancy's security cameras to identify how people were moving through the space, utilizing masks, and maintaining social distance. This partnership has grown to help the Conservancy identify high use areas, decide the best locations for implement new amenities and provide more accurate counts of several park spaces.

Rachel has been recognized as a Next City Vanguard in 2018 and is a member of Urban Land Institute.

Panelist: Technology for Park Management