RIVER FOR ALL

RIVER FOR ALL

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REIMAGINING THE RIVER
WITH YOU

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Reimagining the Grand River can’t be done alone. Since 2002, thousands of community members have shared their vision for the future of our river. See some of their visions for the future of our river below.

Anishinaabe Input Session

On January 29, 2018, twenty six tribal members participated in a focus group session that included dinner, a presentation, and round table discussions with participants who provided guidance and direction to the River for All design team with respect to the opportunity sites and the design guidelines for the river trail.

Public Input Responses

“Opportunity for signage to explain the various clans that govern the Anishinaabe: eagle, sturgeon, bear, turtle, etc.”

“Sacredness and beauty of entire river corridor should be protected while enhancing access to water and sturgeon fishing”

“A place for native artists to display works.”

“Having more history plaques about the Anishinaabe would help, especially stories about the original burial grounds”

“Safe river access points along the trail at Riverside Park, especially near the pow-wow grounds. It’s important to maintain a relationship (access, visual corridors) between the pow-wow site and Owashtanong (the river)”

River For All Input Sessions

At ArtPrize 2017, an engagement station was installed to connect the public to the River for All project and encourage them to offer their feedback about the future of the Grand River Corridor. The 4-day installation spanned along 450 feet of the southern-most eastbound traffic lane on Bridge Street Bridge.

Public Input Responses

“Create better, barrier-free connections to support access by all wheeled devices, with immediate need for at-grade street crossing improvements.”

“Provide wayfinding that addresses ADA accessibility and creates a unique identity for the river corridor.”

“Incorporate educational opportunities, especially through signage and water access, to connect visitors and residents to the river.”

“More trees and plants – keep and encourage the natural river edges.”

“Multi-generational, active, and passive recreation spaces.”

GR Forward

A major goal of Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc.‘s GR Forward plan is to “Restore the river as the draw and create a connnected and equitable river corridor.” This includes reinforcing the Grand Rapids Whitewater initiative, establishing Grand Rapids as the hub in a regional trail system with universal access along the river on both sides, enhancing neighborhood access to the river, and creating an outdoor adventure city.

Public Input Responses

“Restoring the Grand River is an absolute must; this will be an additional and sustainable source of revenue and recreation for the community, will add to the beauty of the city, and create more outside interest.”

“Make a way for cyclist and pedestrians to get under the bridges at Ann and Leonard like they can at North Park.”

“I would appreciate safe, bike-friendly river access. Can I put my children on a cargo bike and go to the river? If not, something needs to change.”

“Solve flooding concerns with natural processes. Avoid concrete wherever possible.”

“In Downtown there is the opportunity for all ages to learn about the river, on the river, cultural, ecological, and connection to Great Lakes.”

Making the Vision a Reality

Read below how our partners are using public input and participation to drive the development of a more welcoming and equitable River for All.

Existing

Planned

  • Protected ceremonial fire rings for Anishinaabe and Great River Bands of Ottawa Indian use along the river’s edge
  • Signature Owashtenong bench seating along the river trail
  • Historical and cultural markers along the corridor to be created in partnership with local tribes
  • Grand River Band/City of Grand Rapids/Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. partnership to establish a riverfront plum tree memorial
  • Ah-Nab-Awen Park renovations which recommends the establishment of a proper ceremonial space to replace current mounds
  • Re-establishing critical habitat for the sturgeon, a species of significant spiritual importance, through river restoration
  • Tribal representation around the future Grand River governance committee table

Existing

  • The City of Grand Rapids continues to create policies and systems for river projects that support the use of micro-local business enterprises, create wealth focused on reducing disparities through river business development and support, and embed equity in the City’s request for proposals, contracts and hiring
  • The City of Grand Rapids is using a $300,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to embed racial economic justice in the restoration of the Grand River

Planned

  • Creation of an Equitable River Restoration Advisory Board to promote engagement opportunities and address existing systems that can make it difficult for communities of color to engage along the river both as business owners and/or as residents

Existing

  • Boat launches and fishing platforms along the river’s edge
  • Fish cleaning station at Canal Park

Planned

  • Stepped river access
  • Angling and wading access steps at Fish Ladder Park to link the River Trail to the bank below the future rapids
  • Potential small craft portage to allow boat passage once the Sixth Street dam is removed and the proposed adjustable hydraulic structure is installed to prevent invasive sea lamprey migration

Existing

  • 200+ acres of park space and 7+ miles of pedestrian trails along the river
  • Pedestrian bridges for safe and easy access across the river
  • The Grand Rapids Public Museum
  • Public art installations along river edge parks

Planned

  • Elevated forested canopy trail
  • Log-jam inspired nature playground
  • Sculptural play areas
  • New boardwalks, overlooks, and picnic groves along the river’s edge
  • Water-based play features
  • The ‘woods’ adventure play area. Illustrates the historic lumber industry while providing a unique river edge nature play experience within a lush riparian habitat

Existing

  • 555 Monroe – Downtown GR’s newest and only skate and bike facility 

Planned

  • Permanent skate park beneath I-96 near the current 555 Monroe site

Existing

  • Paved, ADA accessible pathways at Sixth Street Park, Canal Park, and Riverside Park
  • Accessible outdoor hand cycler exercise station at Sixth Street Park
  • Accessible ramps to the river edge walk at Ah-Nab-Awen Park and Fish Ladder Park

Planned

  • Accessible kayak launch at the Riverside Park lagoon
  • Additional ADA and universal access improvements to increase accessibility for everyone to the river’s edge

Existing

  • Ballfields and soccer fields at Riverside Park
  • Disc golf course at Riverside Park
  • Outdoor exercise stations in Canal Park and Sixth Street Park
Planned
  • Flexible terraces that can be used for recreation and sports like soccer and volleyball
  • Tubing/kayak launch sites
  • Accessible kayak launch at the Riverside Park lagoon

Existing

  • Park spaces, pedestrian bridges and shelters for event rentals
Planned
  • Winter lodge for year-round educational and cultural events
  • Repurposed water storage tank for events and daily use
  • Flexible plaza spaces for a variety of events and community gatherings
  • Event pavilion/lawn for concerts, markets, and more

Existing

  • Natural stormwater management and green infrastructure along the river’s edge and throughout the grand river watershed
  •  Water quality monitoring at multiple sites along the river
  • Natural turf care at river edge city parks to reduce runoff
  • Native landscaping
Planned
  • Restoration of the namesake “rapids” for a more natural river landscape and ecology
  • Protection of the endangered snuffbox mussel during in-river construction
  • Lower boardwalk river trail that provides river access while protecting sensitive habitats
  • Barrier to replace the aging Sixth Street dam and prevent further migration of the invasive sea lamprey

Existing

  • Paved multiuse trails connecting the White Pine Trail to Riverside Park
  • Paved multiuse trails connecting Leonard Ave to Downtown Grand Rapids and Beyond
  • Pedestrian bridges connecting the east and west sides of the river
Planned
  • Key paved trail connection from Leonard Street to Ann Street with underpasses for safer crossing
  • East side river trail connection the the larger Kent trails system
  • East side river trail connection to Plaster Creek Trail
  • West side river trail connection to the Fred Meijer Millennium Trail Network
  • Added bike stations along the river