Spring and summer are shaping up to be a busy time for the Black River Walk with multiple projects in the works. All are a continuation of the work started by the Blue Water Young Professionals when we adopted the river walk in 2011.

This spring Jeff Marshall from Marshall Funeral Home in Greenville will install 12 bronze plaques in honor of the donors and designers of the maritime-themed benches and bike racks put in the fall of 2014. He donated the plaques at cost.

Last year, the BWYP was awarded a $45,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources’ Recreation Passport program. Signage promoting the BWR as part of the Island Loop Trail is currently being approved by the DNR and will be installed this summer.

The signs will be over 8 ft tall in the shape of sails so they tie in with the nautical theme of benches, bike racks and painted picnic tables already along the Blue River Walk.

Archways to mark the start and end of the trail are also being designed as part of the DNR Passport grant.

We are also working with community partners to build a pavilion with fire pit seating areas and grilles for cookouts. It will be completed by end of summer 2016.

Read more about the pavilion project in the Times Herald.