Having the Riverwalk handicap accessible was the dream of Jerry Conrad, MD, the initial driver of the Riverwalk project.  After much research he found that in the United States there was not a river walkway with handicap accessibility for fishing.  Being an avid fisherman, himself, Jerry felt everyone should have the opportunity to do this.

The Big Rapids Riverwalk is 1.2 miles of paved and boardwalk, handicap accessible trailway along and over the Muskegon River .  The trail includes 4 handicap accessible fishing areas: 3 wooden platforms with barrier free fishing rails and rod holders, and one paved approach to the river’s edge. 

The wooden platforms are located in the following areas:  Two at Hemlock Park, just north of Swede Hill Park and Northend Riverside Park.  The paved approach is located just behind the Big Rapids Middle School and south of the bridge.