GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- There‘s a new blueway for kayakers, canoers and paddle boarders leading down Michigan’s longest river.
The Lower Grand River earned the water trail distinction from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources last month, meaning the entire river is now in an elite class of outdoor recreation.
There’s been a renewed effort to bring Grand Rapidians to the riverfront and activate the space with community, art and outdoor recreation.
This summer, GR Outside, part of the city’s parks and recreation, hosted family paddle nights down the Grand River.
The monthly event drew 300 participants, said Sam Truby, Recreation Program Technical Supervisor. In total, GR Outside welcomed 2,000 participants in all of its outdoor recreation events this summer.
“It is important that the Grand River is seen as a safe and accessible recreational space for everyone in our community, and this designation will encourage the Grand Rapids community to recreate and take care of the river in even more ways going forward,” Truby said.
The Lower Grand River is the 10th water trail in Michigan, including the Middle Grand River and Upper Grand River trails. In total, the Grand River stretches 252 miles across the state.
Water trails are navigable waterways that can be used by small boats, like canoes, kayaks and paddle board.
These waterways are “designed and managed to create a positive outdoor recreation experience for the user,” according to the DNR definition.
That includes well-developed access points. The Lower Grand River flows 96 miles, from Portland to Grand Haven, and features 35 public access points along the way.
Water trails are often are near significant historical, environmental or cultural points of interest and often have nearby amenities like restaurants, hotels and campgrounds, according to the DNR.
The Lower Grand River flows toward downtown Grand Rapids and fits in with the city’s promotion to “return to the river.”
At the beginning of the year, the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority provided $60,000 to the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW) to apply for the water trail distinction and bring resources and coordination to communities that want to strengthen recreation along the waterway,
The DNR designation doesn’t bring funding, but it could help LGROW and others should they apply for grants or public funds for signage or maps along the river.
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