River Walkway
This handicap accessible walkway begins at Lincoln
Park, located on the East bank of the Paint River just
north of Highway M-69. The path runs along the Paint
River upstream toward the Crystal View Golf Course.
Along the walk are benches, barrier free fishing piers,
and an interpretive nature trail with signs. The
interpretive trail is a project of the Forest Park grade
school students.
Improvements to Lincoln Park include the establishment
of off-street parking and a barrier free ramp down the to
the river walk.
The walkway is available to tourists, students, and
residents to learn of the local flora, fauna, water quality,
history, and geology, developing an environmental
awareness vital to citizens. In addition, it is a popular site
suited for hiking, and bird watching.
The walkway has become a popular spot for scenic
outdoor weddings. If you would like to reserve the area
for your wedding contact the City Clerk's office at 906-
875-3212 Ext 5. With a reservation the you will be
assured to have the walkway for your exclusive use for a
short wedding ceremony.
The grant received from the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources is for 70% of $238,700.00. The
remaining 30% was the City’s share of the project cost.
The project was initially the dream of a group of Forest
Park grade school teachers who approached the City
Council with the idea in 1999. The teachers were
seeking a site to allow students to study the environment
in which we live. The City Council loved the idea and
agreed to work with the teachers to make this become a
reality. In addition to the students and teachers, many
local residents volunteered to assist in the development
of the walkway. This has truly become a "Community
Project".
What will you see if you take a stroll on the Paint River
Walkway in Crystal Falls? One never knows until they
get there. Some days it may only be some children
fishing from the piers that are set on the bank of the
Paint River, or maybe a wedding on the walkway, or
maybe a small band filling the evening air with music, or
maybe an old friend that you haven't seen for years.
The following are examples of what has been seen
along the walkway, the question is, what will you see?