Grand Rapids Whitewater

Conceptual photograph of proposed rapids near Amway Grand Plaza ©Simon

Our rapids are grand, or at least they may be, once again. There is a lot of talk of a “kayak park” being built downtown on the Grand River. Yes, there could be new recreational opportunities for the river, new whitewater adventure sports like kayaking and canoeing, but the real goal of GRWW is to restore the river to a more natural looking waterway for everyone to enjoy. In, on or around.

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Check out these fun and informative videos made by Mr John Rumery’s summer term Sports Marketing 361 class. It’s wonderful to see the youth getting involved with this historic project. Put the rapids back in the Grand!

  

Download an updated version of the Green Grand Rapids, Special Study Grand River Whitewater Park Preferred Alternative, prepared for the City of Grand Rapids. (It’s a large file, so be patient — it’s worth the wait!)

This report investigates the benefits and challenges of a whitewater park in Grand Rapids.

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"Water is the best of all things." - Pindar (c. 522 BC - c. 438 BC), Olympian Odes

Swimming in the Grand River?  Fishing, rafting or kayaking in that water?!  Sure, why not?  The water quality of the Grand, as it flows through downtown Grand Rapids, is actually GOOD!  As a matter of fact, it is as good as that of renowned scenic trout stream, the Rogue River, a major upstream Grand River tributary.  What about after a big rain event?

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This is what we believe the Grand River will look like one day. We are now one very important step closer to realizing the dream of restoring rapids in the Grand.

“The ‘preferred alternative’ outlines 2 phases for improving recreational opportunities in the Grand River. Phase 1 consists of two tasks: modifying the dams downstream of the 4th street dam…” Read the rest of this entry »