I wasn’t born in Grand Rapids. In fact, until about 9 months ago, I had never set foot in West Michigan. I mean, I graduated high school in Illinois, so the Midwest wasn’t totally foreign to me, but it was certainly a big change from the home my wife and I had built over the last decade in Austin, Texas. 

And yet, because there are so many similarities between the two places, it isn’t a total shock to the system. Both communities share a creative energy and optimism focusing on the future while being grounded in local tradition. Both communities are friendly, social, and welcoming despite being the anchor cities for a much larger metro area. And, Austinites and Grand Rapidians love being outside even when the temperatures reach extremes – albeit on totally different ends of the thermometer. 

Both places have found ways to connect their urban environment to the natural world through hiking and biking trails and world class parks systems, but there is one place where the two diverge – their rivers. Both Cities have a river as a defining attribute of their urban core, but at the moment they’re seen in entirely different ways. 

In Grand Rapids, you can walk along the river downtown in a few short segments – and you might occasionally see someone with a fishing pole casting a line in the water – but ultimately the waterway feels mostly like something to “look at” and navigate around. Most older buildings downtown face away from the river, and I got a distinct impression that over the years the river had been seen as something to be controlled instead of enjoyed. 

To be clear, what exists in Austin today is better defined as a lake. The Colorado river running through downtown was dammed off in the 1960s to create a cooling reservoir for a power plant needed to generate energy for the growing city. And for the first decade after the dam was constructed, the river was simply an obstacle to those travelling north and south. Then, in the 1970s, the community and the city came together and decided it was time to invest in transforming what was being treated as an industrial resource into a true, natural community asset. 

These days, Lady Bird Lake, as it’s known, is a key attraction for locals and visitors alike. It has a 10-mile hike and bike trail loop that is used for recreation and as a way to connect neighborhoods upstream and downstream to the city’s core. Kayaks, paddle boards, rowboats, and river cruises can be seen nearly every day as people take advantage of the numerous boat launches and park put-ins. It has even spawned restoration and revitalization along key tributaries. Barton Creek – already world famous for its natural springs – is a key connection to the river, and the newly completed Waterloo Greenway was a project that integrated stormwater control, 35 acres of greenspace (with an amphitheater), waterway restoration, and 1.5 miles of trail that connects the center of the urban core to the river. 

None of what I experienced in Austin was an accident. It took effort and imagination. It was all part of a coordinated effort between private and public partnerships – guided by a community of engaged residents – focused on creating something that would benefit everyone, and accessible by all, regardless of who they are or where they live in the city. 

So, I was excited shortly after moving to Grand Rapids to learn about the “River For All” initiative currently underway. This monumental undertaking is the coordinated effort between the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids WhiteWater, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc., among others. It is this coming together of dynamically different organizations that has the power to re-engage Grand Rapidians in their essential and foundational waterway, providing equitable access to a natural resource shuttered long ago by damming and logging.

Together, the River for All participants have a vision of a vibrant city that appreciates its main waterway once again. The GRWW’s Grand River Restoration Project seeks to return the river’s calm waters to their former zeal, a vital initiative that will serve as a catalyst for riverfront projects that increase access and attract residents and visitors to the water for decades to come.

I’d encourage everyone to explore the project – and the various pieces – to learn how you can be involved. This is generational work and it needs the voices of the people to make it a reality. I like to think of “River For All” as the aspiration, but it will take the community’s imagination to make it a reality. 

It can be hard to envision the future when it’s so far away but, trust me, reclaiming the river from its former managed state and returning it to the community as an asset which can be enjoyed by everyone is totally worth it. I’ve seen it, I’ve lived it, and there are few things better than floating down the river past the skyline on a hot day, smiling and waving at unknown neighbors, as families picnic on the banks, joggers trot along the trails, and people – from all walks of life – enjoy the heart of the City as a community.

About the Author: David Green

A career government communicator with more than 25 years of experience, David is the Director of Communications for the City of Grand Rapids. A retired soldier, David joined the City of Grand Rapids in 2020 following his stint as the City of Austin’s Media Relations Manager.

He possesses a high cultural and generational IQ, which allowed him to develop and lead diverse communications teams through challenging situations in more than eight countries across three continents. Riots, bombings, mass casualties, and natural disasters; David is no stranger to crisis and has been lauded by leaders at the highest levels of government for his steady hand and calm under pressure. 

He is perpetually curious and has a passion for digging into complex topics with a knack for making them easily understood. From tech to defense and economics to politics, he gets a kick out of helping people navigate the world in which we all live. He specializes in hacking bureaucracies and closing the distance between people and government.

He holds a B.A. in communications from Thomas Edison State University and a M.A. in Human Dimensions of Organizations from the University of Texas. He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife of 20 years, Karyn, and their two dogs. He spends his free time reading, watching Youtube videos about ancient human civilizations, and chasing his goal of finding every remix of Blue Monday by New Order.

If you watch the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids today, its users are primarily people on the shoreline, walking the paths, enjoying open public spaces, taking graduation and wedding pictures on the bridges and enjoying the parks along the shore. Anglers who can trailer their boats to an access point downriver can fish up to the Sixth Street dam, when the water is high enough to allow passage over the four low-head dams. Many also walk into the river and line up in front of the dam to fish, and some fish off of the floodwalls or bridges. 

We hear from many folks who are excited about the revitalization of the river. We also hear from some current users of the river who would prefer to leave things as they are, who do not really relish the thought of more people in the river.  

So, how about everyone we haven’t heard from? How do the people of Grand Rapids perceive the Grand River revitalization project? 

To find the answer, a partnership between Clean Water Action, Grand Rapids WhiteWater, Grand Valley Metro Council and the City of Grand Rapids came together (with the generous support of the Wege Foundation) to connect with residents directly through a survey. Clean Water Action chatted with 10,000 Grand Rapids residents and received 2,600 completed surveys.

Everyone surveyed was a Grand Rapids resident and 44.3% of the respondents live within a mile of the Grand River.  

The results were strong and encouraging:

• An overwhelming majority of participants – 85.4% of respondents – visit the riverfront at least once a year.     
• More than half visit at least 5 times a year. 
• The group identified recreation and natural/wildlife habitat as the preferred uses of the river.
• 76.8% are aware of current efforts to revitalize rapids to the Grand River. 
• Support for the project is overwhelmingly positive.

• As is the value that participants place on the Grand River as a community asset.

When asked, “What activities would you enjoy if the rapids were restored?” respondents noted that activities such as canoeing, kayaking, rafting, surfing, swimming, wading and fishing would be the most popular.

On the other hand, the survey reflects that a majority of respondents continue to be concerned or unsure about the water quality in the Grand River despite the City’s successful efforts to clean the water over the last 20 years or so. 

Sounds like a good topic for our next narrative.

Native Americans and their Relationship to the Grand River

In honor of Native American Day, which celebrates the cultures and contributions of Native American tribes, we’re showcasing Alan Compo’s mural on the Grand River, “Anishinaabek.” 

Visit the mural, painted on the tunnel and retaining walls of the Pearl St. bridge, on the west side of the Grand River.

Created and installed in 2018, Alan shared in his artist statement:

Being a part of The First people of this area will always be a huge part of my art, as well as who I am. “Anishinaabek” is a piece that has been stuck in my head for many years, waiting for the perfect place to make itself known. This is not only my story, but a part of everyone in this areas story.

Inspired by the many I grew up with and how I remember them is how I create. Mother Earth, her waters, and everything we are Blessed with is where all our stories begin.  Everything is connected within these Circles. We are all apart of this beautiful world, and the many lessons within.

Creating my piece “Anishinaabek” was a very humbling experience. I cannot speak before my elders or for others. This is my version of stories and how I remember. I am Blessed to be but just a tiny part of such a Great People, humans. Painting, and thinking about all that has gone on along the shores and within this mighty Grand River is surreal. To think about what continues, and what has been forgotten is a huge undertaking to respectfully paint. My hope for this piece is that it has the viewer feeling the same incredible awe that I do as I live among such stories and do my best to allow them to flow in a good way.

This mural is only one story of a plum orchard which grew along the River long ago. A natural Native garden for the Anishinaabek, where the kwek (women) would go.  To think about the beauty and the scenes of life that played out here is incredible. Stories within stories that continue to move into today. I hope that this paint I’ve put on these walls will help bring the viewer into that place of wonder and beauty that I try to see and feel myself. Miigwetch for allowing me to create in such a beautiful spot.

Throughout this entire mural I included the tiny round plums that were said to have grown along the Grand River. There were circles of trees of yellow, red and purple plums. My plum trees are a bit abstract, but I wanted them to stand out, and for people to see them. On the river side of the tunnel I did my best to continue the water line as if the river could be seen thru the walls. The women painted in blues behind the floral pattern, on the bottom represent the kwek, women of the past, who have shaped us today. The dancers in color in the front of the bottom floral, represent the ability to be ever present and moving forward with our traditions, and culture. I did my best to represent as many clans as possible throughout. Family clans such as the Crane, Bear, Turtle, Sturgeon, Martin, Deer, and Loon. I myself am Turtle clan which is part of the Fish clan. We use the clan system to help determine were someone might come from and consider others in your clan family.  Many stories and amazing history come from these teachings. Most of the Anishinaabek life is learned through being and listening to the stories while being in the moments.  

Being apart of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians I feel a deep connection to the Grand River. It was how our people lived and traveled. Much respect was and is paid to how amazing it truly is. I had to paint the man moving down the Grand in his birch bark canoe. I could think about all the canoes that have traveled along this River, and all the meeting spots that were on these banks. Meeting spots for all Three Fires Nations, and others as well. Marriage ceremonies, funerals, or visiting friends and those that had passed made this River a busy place. Many Natives would bury their loved ones along the banks for the ease of being able to come pay respects later, and to include them in the many ceremonies and gatherings of the many tribes that took place here. Grand Rapids was a huge meeting place for the people of the Three Fires to meet. It was the perfect place to come in from Lake Michigan and all directions. It was a central spot.  

Within this mural I tried to place many stories. I painted the muskrat, and hints of our creation story. How this animal, so thought of as being so lowly and weak, was the one who went down to the bottom of the waters and fetched a tiny morsel of land to help recreate the land on top of the turtle. In doing so he gave his life. I think about the many lessons learned in many of these stories and how beautiful and connected they are. I see the many flood stories in all the other Nations around the world and know that we are all connected to Mother Earth. I like to show the many gifts of Mother Earth, and the ways that I see the Anishinaabek use, such as sweet grass, birch bark, and the quills of the porcupine. I remember and see the baskets in my mothers’ cabinets that were used and traded by my Great Grand Mother. Using all-natural elements, she would weave incredible designs taught to her by her mother, and family. Traditions continue, and develop, and its just my way of using art to keep that line of tradition going. I come from artists.

There are so many stories within this mural. I like to hint at many of the Nanaboozhoo stories, who was a bit of a trickster, but would always seem to somehow learn or create something in life. I love the stories of the Thunder Bird and Water panther, and how many stories that may seem to end in tragic ways, are learning experiences. I love to depict Mother Earth, many times I will do so with a turtle, and strawberries. The strawberry is always that first little flower and fruit we see in the spring. Like the plum garden, many Native gardens grew naturally with the Earth. Everything was only used when needed and always gathered with respect for what was being taken. The plants, the animals, all are living in this world too, and we depend on them for so much.

Music plays a huge part in my work. I love to incorporate the drum, singing, and dancing in everything I can. To me, it helps to tell the story, but also to pay respect to all that is given to us from the Earth. We only have one home, one Earth, and it provides us with everything that we need to live. We are all so Blessed and I don’t want to forget that. I want to remember to see the beauty around us; In the River, in the plants, walking, flying, swimming among us, and say Miigwetch KithciiManitoo for such life.

We must be caretakers of this beauty. We must respect the gifts we are given. Everything has a story and lessen to give us. We must see it, look for it, remember it, and learn from it. 

In his “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed the question of when civil rights advocates would be satisfied. Dr. King answered, “No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

What great imagery when thinking about the need to embed equity into the Grand River restoration project. The goal is inclusion for everyone, which can be achieved only by embedding equity into the fabric of the project. It’s not just the “what” and “how” that are important. The “who” matters as well.

The “what” of the project is the removal of unneeded dams and restoration of rock structure to recapture the spirit of the iconic Grand Rapids and make it a “mighty stream.”

The “how” is a design that opens the river to broader recreational use and expands fish habitat while building a more viable lamprey barrier. So often, conversations normally stop at that point. However, this project is intentional about the necessity of going beyond the usual standards.

That’s why we must thoroughly understand the “who.”

Who, indeed?

• Who will determine all the potential uses of the river? Who will govern that use?
• Who will do the construction? Remove the dams? Move the rock back into the river?
• Who will benefit from the shoreline development?
• Who will learn how to fish, boat and swim in the river? Who will teach those individuals?
• Who will wade in the stream to connect with nature, or sense the generations of people who relied upon it for their livelihood?
• Who will catch a walleye for dinner?
• Who will catch a wave for the fun of it?
• Who will quietly contemplate at the end of their day while listening to the sound and feel of water cascading through the rapids?

We know the “who” matters.

Equity, diversity and inclusion within the context of water recreation is about ensuring all people have access to clean, healthy life-sustaining waters. It is about bringing people together — a way for us to connect the pieces of our city that have been historically siloed. This is our opportunity to address recreation and inclusivity. This is a community project, creating an asset that will span generations. It is imperative that the project benefits the whole community and that every step is completed with an eye to equity.

Our work is to determine how we can reduce barriers. Far too often, water recreation is treated as a privilege for a select group of people. The time and cost, learning how to do it safely, being welcomed into recreational spaces and more are all barriers that exclude too many. This project, in the heart of Grand Rapids and within access of many neighborhoods of color, can — and will — ensure that people of color are encouraged to take part in the great outdoors from childhood on. We have a great opportunity to embed equity into the project and bring it to the people. There is no better project to use as a catalyst for change. It will have a monumental and generational impact long after the last construction truck is gone.

In its “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement of Intent,” the River Network declares:

All people have a right to clean and ample water that sustains life. To achieve this right for all communities, it is imperative for the river and watershed community to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive movement … Biases and disparities disproportionately burden communities of color, indigenous communities and low-income communities with legacies of environmental damage and ongoing harm that limit their access to healthy life-sustaining waters … Just as biodiversity strengthens natural systems, water protection work is made stronger by the contributions, experiences, perspectives, and values of different people and communities.

Through the Equitable Grand River Restoration Initiative, with help from the Kellogg Foundation,  the ultimate outcome is to eliminate racialized disparities at the community level through wealth creation for persons of color. The initiative is designed to ensure racial bias doesn’t exclude residents, entrepreneurs and businesses from distressed neighborhoods from equitable access to the jobs, contracts and training that will result from this project.

To achieve these goals, the City seeks to increase its Micro-Local Business Enterprise (MLBE) list. An MLBE Registration Program was recently launched to assist 30 to 40 construction and professional services firms to register with the City to receive more exposure during the bidding and contracting phase. While the construction is atypical, the desire is to ensure all types of firms are able to bid and contract for the work, generating wealth as the massive river project develops. Before it is done, tens of millions of dollars will be spent and more than a decade of time will have passed.

And that’s not all. The river’s restoration will serve as a catalyst for additional equitable development and access opportunities — to trails, park improvements, etc. — as envisioned in the GR Forward community plan and the regional, state and national partners in River for All.

Restoring the Grand River is just the beginning. With great partnerships and continued focus and diligence on equitable opportunity, we believe this project can provide our whole community with improved access to the great outdoors and the Grand River.

Authors:
Ciarra C. Adkins, JD, Equity Analyst at the City of Grand Rapids
Steve Heacock, JD, President & CEO Grand Rapids WhiteWater