Fishbeck provided full design services to the City for improvements to Ah-Nab-Awen Park. Improvements were required due to change in the river flood stage. The City used this opportunity to improve river access and viewing for the many current park events, as well as the future River Restoration project.
This was the third contract for floodwall improvements with the City of Grand Rapids. The most recent project began as a flood control project to stabilize and raise the existing river embankment between Pearl Street and the Gillett Bridge to meet current FEMA standards. This provided a convenient opportunity to make needed pathway and landscaping improvements in this portion of Ah-Nab-Awen Park. Improvements included a 15-foot concrete walkway near the river edge, new concrete walkways around the symbolic Indian mounds to replace the deteriorated asphalt pathways, the addition of an ADA accessible walkway, removal of overgrown and invasive vegetation to provide a better view to the river, and the addition of retaining walls. The project was funded by the City of Grand Rapids and DDA. Similar improvements are planned in the future.
