Manistee’s Riverwalk connects history, culture, and community

Manistee County’s primary tourist attraction—a scenic, nearly two-mile walkway traversing both the north and south banks of the winding Manistee River—has gotten even better.

Unveiled at the beginning of summer, a series of major enhancements designed by local officials has elevated the Riverwalk experience for residents and visitors alike this season.

“The Riverwalk through downtown Manistee is always a big draw,” says Bill Gambill, Manistee city manager. “The recent improvements have significantly enhanced its accessibility, usability, and overall appearance. In fact, we learned that those assigned to our local Coast Guard station lovingly refer to Manistee as the ‘Riviera of the Midwest.'”  

Revitalizing the South Bank

Stretching along the south river bank behind the city’s Central Business District on River Street, from the U.S. 31 bridge on the east side toward Lake Michigan on the west, the South Bank Riverwalk underwent a comprehensive overhaul funded by federal, state, and local sources. Key improvements include:  

• Infrastructure & Lighting: Replacement boards along the boardwalk, enhanced structural support, and energy-efficient LED lighting mounted on freshly painted poles and railings.  
• Improved Accessibility: A new switchback structure built west of Maple Street to better accommodate all visitors.  
• Wayfinding & Heritage: Updated signage and new historic markers detailing the region’s rich heritage, highlighting the Manistee River’s historical significance, and featuring scenic stopovers like fishing piers, benches, planters, and the Net Shed Museum.  
• Cultural Connections: Seamless linkage to Manistee Tourism’s Origins Walk near the First Street boat launch. This complementary path features cut-metal sculptures representing 20 key historical influencers—from Indigenous leaders through the early 1900s.  

Project Funding Breakdown  

Originally constructed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Riverwalk’s latest upgrades represent a joint public-private effort totaling over $1.6 million:  

• U.S. Dept. of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant: $850,000  
• City of Manistee: $382,999  
• Downtown Development Authority (DDA): $240,000  
• Manistee County Community Foundation: $217,000  

About the U.S. grant: The Economic Development Administration grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce through its competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. Designed to help communities recover from pandemic-era economic disruptions, the competitive grant program focuses on strengthening local travel infrastructure and outdoor recreation assets. For Manistee, the federal funding was specifically earmarked to address long-standing safety, walkability, and accessibility upgrades along the South Bank Riverwalk—improving structural boardwalks, adding energy-efficient lighting, and building new switchback ramps. 

Statewide Recognition

The project has drawn praise at the highest level of state leadership.

“I was proud to support the Manistee Riverwalk upgrade project, and I’m excited to see how it will bring more people downtown, support local businesses, and give families and visitors another way to enjoy the waterfront,” says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Since taking office, we’ve made historic investments to complete hundreds of projects at dozens of state and local parks and public lands across Michigan. Let’s keep working together to invest in Michigan communities and expand access to Michigan’s incredible outdoors.”

What’s next:  The enhancements don’t stop on the south side. According to Gambill, upcoming phases will focus on:  

• North Riverwalk Renovations: Renovations taking place this year to the original section within Veterans Memorial Park—which features a stone monument and flag honoring fallen military members—funded in part by an MDNR Trust Fund grant.
• Downtown & Infrastructure Improvements: The rollout of Phase 1 for the River Street streetscape downtown, further expansion of the Origins Walk, and the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) U.S. 31 project, which commences next year and spans through 2028.