Riverbend West
Nature Area
Riverbend West is the restoration of a site along the Saginaw River to create a rustic nature experience with limited recreational development in keeping with the natural character of the site and will be designed in keeping with our mission and objectives as well as those of our project partner, the City of Bay City. This restoration project included soil remediation where necessary for safe passive recreation, the creation of an accessible trail from the street frontage of the property to a viewing space perched on the Saginaw River, extensive site cleanup, and replacement of invasive vegetation with beneficial native vegetation. It is enriched with interpretive signage and passive recreation amenities such as boulders for rest and relaxation. This is an interpretive rustic natural site with beneficial, beautiful native vegetation and a secluded natural experience along the Saginaw River.
Bay City’s Saginaw River frontage is an invaluable resource that cannot be taken for granted. The river’s history of sawmills, shipbuilding, and other industries define Bay City’s working heritage. As a result, nearly all of the river’s shoreline is developed and characterized by steel seawall or rock rip-rap which does not provide the same buffering afforded by a natural shoreline.
There was, however, one final piece of land that resides on the Saginaw River that has not been developed, and it is owned by the City of Bay City. This property was in need of extensive restoration before it could be opened to the public, and protected forever, as a natural sanctuary within arm’s reach for our community.
A key feature of the Riverbend West project is the development of a riverside viewing experience located at the end of a universally accessible pathway that provides unique views of the Saginaw River and City of Bay City. The development of this feature has created new viewsheds from the last piece of undeveloped Saginaw River shoreline in Bay City. This important aspect of the project features interpretive components detailing prominent natural and historical features, including the ecological significance of the river and its surrounding environment, prominent landmarks within view of the structure, and the area’s Native American history.
Our Sponsors and Partners
City of Bay City
Bay Area Community Foundation
The Smith Foundation
The Kantzler Foundation
Consumers Energy
Hemlock Semiconductor
Huntington Bank
US Fish & Wildlife Services
Cornell Small Grant
