PHASE I

Phase I of 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 aggregate fishing terrace which allows access to the river’s edge.  Additionally the Riverwalk connects 4 parks: the White Pine Trail State Park , Northend Riverside Park , Swede Hill Park and Hemlock Park .  The entire project, which was community led, raised over $1,000,000 and included financial support from the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust Fund, The Michigan DNR Trust Fund and the City of Big Rapids along with support of over $250,000 from the citizens of our community.

Additional Features:

“Access for All” Commemorative Area
(located near Mitchell Creek Bridge in Hemlock Park ): 
Mecosta County Youth Advisory Committee Area (located behind B.R. Middle School & funded by the Mecosta County Youth Advisory Committee)

Braille Signage (throughout the Riverwalk):  
Funded by the Big Rapids Lions Club                          

Maple Street Mural (located underneath the Maple St. Bridge):
Created by Michael Anne Erlewine, funded through a grant obtained by ArtWorks from the Fremont Foundation, Ice Mountain , and a private donor.  

B. R. Housing Commission Spur (access to Riverwalk for Housing Commission Residents):
Funded by the Housing Commission

 

PHASE II

Phase II of the Big Rapids Riverwalk is approximately ½ mile (2,900 ft.) of paved and boardwalk, landscaped, handicap accessible trailway along the West bank of the Muskegon River .

The trail includes a picnic shelter/gazebo and a 20 space parking area with access off of Osceola on the West side of the river, a picnic shelter/overlook located in Hanchett Park, 2 aggregate fishing terraces which allow access to the river’s edge, and interpretive displays highlighting dam history and area wildlife.

Phase II of the Riverwalk connects with Phase I to create a loop utilizing the 270 ft. bridge over the Muskegon River .  It also continues the connection with Northend Riverside Park , Swede Hill Park , Hanchett Park , Hemlock Park , and spurs to the White Pine Trail State Park.

The Funding for this segment of the Riverwalk again was supported by the Citizens of the area (Access for All Committee), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund as well as the City of Big Rapids .

Some Interesting Facts:

>> Driving the hollow core steel pilings for the boardwalk behind Simonds Industries was particularly difficult due to the lack of access for machinery.  This mobilization difficulty drove the cost of the project up.  A Department of Environmental Quality Permit was obtained to perform the work in the river.

>> Consistent with Riverwalk Phase I, the board walk is made of pressure treated timber and the railings are a recycled composite. Winter of 2005 brought quite an unusually large ice jam to the Muskegon River which tested the integrity of the construction.  We are happy to report that no damage was done as the jam reached the top of the pilings.  Also of concern to the City was the walk under the Baldwin Street Bridge which came through the ice jam unscathed.

>> The local Garden Club created a “Rain Garden” near the Picnic Shelter/Gazebo off of Osceola and area organizations have adopted parts of the trail for maintenance and beautification.