By Laura Fitzgerald
For most of the 20th Century the waterfront on the southside of Port Huron, beginning just south of where the Black River meets the St. Clair River, was a hub of industry and railyards which helped feed the economic growth of Port Huron.
In the later part of the century as industry left, changed or faded, the waterfront became a wasteland of scrapyards and abused and neglected industrial remnants.
“I recall that when we first began talking with Jim Acheson and his team at Acheson Ventures, there wasn’t a tree along the waterfront for as far as you could see,” said Randy Maiers, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. “There was no natural habitat at any point along almost one mile of waterfront and it wasn’t safe for children or families to visit.”
Maiers and the Community Foundation would eventually assume responsibility for implementing the vision of what would become the Blue Water River Walk.
That vision actually began in the late 1990’s when the late philanthropist James C. Acheson began purchasing property along the southside waterfront, just a short distance from where he grew up. By the early 2000’s he had acquired almost 72 acres of property, now known as Desmond Landing.
Acheson’s development company, Acheson Ventures, spent years and millions of dollars clearing, cleaning and rehabbing the property. Mr. Acheson eventually gifted almost the entire shoreline to the Community Foundation in 2011.
“The Foundation promised Mr. Acheson that we would ensure the waterfront’s redevelopment and that in perpetuity, it would be an open, inviting and safe place for children and families to visit,” Maiers added.
Restoration Begins
In 2012 with initial funding from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Foundation began a pilot program on shallow water, shoreline and near-shore habitat restoration. The full-scale multi-year plan then began shortly thereafter, with more than $2 million in funding from other partners including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
“It was a massive undertaking,” Maiers said. “We had to remove hundreds of tons of debris before we could begin the habitat restoration component.”
Thankfully, the Foundation had the support, collaboration, expertise and partnership of the Friends of the St. Clair River. Sheri Faust is the Executive Director of the Friends group and has been involved in the project since the very beginning.
“There was a lot of care and attention to shoreline vegetation and native vegetation,” Faust said. “We tried to make sure that we kept invasive species out in order to maintain the integrity of the site; it was designed as a fish and wildlife habitat,” Faust said. “We use vegetation that you would have seen if you arrived on the shoreline 300 years ago. The point was to recreate the historical shoreline.”
As the project progressed the Community Foundation secured additional significant private gifts to restore an old ferry dock on the north end of the River Walk, constructed a fishing pier on the south end, and added public art and a walking path.
An additional partnership with St. Clair County Parks & Recreation led to the development of a wetlands park on the very southern end of the River Walk.
In the summer of 2014 the community turned out in droves to celebrate the grand opening of the Blue Water River Walk.
The Impact of the River Walk
Today, the daily care and maintenance of the River Walk is performed by the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission, with funding from the Foundation. St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission Director Dennis Delor said a park naturalist works closely with Friends of the St. Clair River to provide educational programming, remove invasive species in the wetlands, support volunteers, and maintain native plants and the natural environment.
“St. Clair County Parks has a goal of providing access to recreational assets, and with some of the world’s best fresh water bordering our entire eastern face, we have a unique opportunity to develop our parks and trails on those amazing watersheds,” Delor said.
Faust said habitat restoration has led to a resurgence of bird, fish, insect, plant and animal populations.
And this rebound in visitors isn’t restricted to wildlife. People of every age, from young children to adults, have flocked to the scenic waterfront to enjoy everything the area has to offer.
During educational programs, children in rain boots and waders can be seen splashing through the wetlands to search for aquatic life, their parents or teachers in tow. Every week, in weather ranging from hot and sunny to frigid and snowy, volunteers wielding trash bags and trash pickers scour the boardwalk, picking up litter. Couples young and old stroll leisurely along the paved path past joggers and bicyclists.
The River Walk is also an economic driver, bringing residents and tourists into Port Huron and the wider region to visit area businesses. In years past, visitors and residents have flocked to events such as the Port Huron Farmer’s Market or the Friends’ annual Sturgeon Festival. Fundraisers, car shows, and 5Ks have set up shop on the river walk and on the lawn adjacent to the trail.
“It really was an example of if you build it, they will come,” Faust said. “Before the River Walk was even completed, people were already visiting, they were swimming. Wildlife had already moved back in, like birds, reptiles and amphibians to a place that they hadn’t been able to come home to for a really long time. Its become a cleaner and greener destination now. It overall helps our community become a more attractive place to live and work.”
How You Can Support the Future of the River Walk
As the community and the Community Foundation prepare to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the River Walk on September 17th, the Foundation has released its “Wish List’ of future improvements.
“Ten years ago our friends and donors were incredibly generous in support of the Blue Water River Walk,” Maiers said. “Now, we need their help again to make some much-needed improvements.”
The Foundation has cited the following projects for the next phase of River Walk enhancements;
- New Universally accessible path leading to the south fishing dock
- Universally accessible enhancements and renovations to the south fishing dock
- Additional lighting on the dock
- Additional light along the entire River Walk
- Finish Phase 2 of the Fishing Pier
The Foundation estimates the total costs for these projects to exceed $500,000.
“We hope the anniversary event renews excitement and interest in the future of the River Walk,” said Faust. The event will be held at the north end of the River Walk, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on September 17th. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Anyone interested in donating to support the River Walk can do so by either contacting Jackie Hanton at the Foundation, or donate online to the Foundation’s River Walk Endowment Fund.