East Riverfront Park is reconnecting Grand Rapids with the Grand River. O-A-K Superintendent, Michael Schneidt, and Mike Staal, Project Manager for the City of Grand Rapids, walked the park to see how the former industrial site is taking shape.
Located just west of the Acrisure Amphitheater on the city's former public works site, the project broke ground in August 2025 and marks the first significant public green space investment on the Grand River's south side in generations. Phase One cut down the flood wall along the river's edge and replaced it with a gentle slope, inviting people to step closer to the water. The work adds 4.5 acres of green space, a half-mile non-motorized trail, seating areas overlooking the river, water access for recreation, and new trees and native plantings that support biodiversity and help manage stormwater. It also creates a direct connection to the Acrisure Amphitheater and leaves room for future public art.
"We are taking what was a very industrial site and creating an inviting space for the community to be here," Staal said.
Phase Two, now underway, brings universal access down to the river and a new kayak launch, giving everyone a way to reach the water, whether they come to paddle, walk, or simply take in the view.
East Riverfront is also a vital link in the Grand River Greenway, an 85-mile network of parks and trails connecting communities across Kent and Ottawa counties. For neighbors in Heartside, Black Hills, Roosevelt Park, and across the city, it becomes a new front yard on the river.
As Staal noted, East Riverfront is one of six projects reshaping the Grand River, and O-A-K is proud to be part of three of them. Together with the City of Grand Rapids and Viridis Design Group, our teams are also building Canal Park, opening late fall 2026, and recently completed the Grand Rapids Public Museum Riverfront.
Special thanks to Taproot Pictures for bringing this story to life on video.
