Tag Archives: Riverfront Expansion

Grand Rapids Public Museum celebrates opening of Expanding Curiosity Riverfront Expansion

2-row, Citizen Journalism, Kent County, West Michigan, ,
Grand Rapids Public Museum Riverfront Expansion. (Photo: Grand Rapids Public Museum: Used with Permission)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org

The Grand Rapids Public Museum celebrated the opening of its riverfront expansion on Thursday, April 16, with an event recognizing the partners and public leaders who helped bring the transformative project to life along the Grand River. A public opening celebration date will be announced soon.

The event marked a major milestone in the Museum’s ongoing campus modernization, highlighting expanded public river access, new outdoor learning environments, improved accessibility, and enhanced connections to the growing Grand River Greenway.

“This riverfront is a physical expression of our mission to expand curiosity,” said Dale Robertson, GRPM president and CEO. “Learning doesn’t only happen inside gallery walls, it happens outdoors, at the water’s edge, through discovery, connection, and shared experiences. This space belongs to our entire community.”

Thursday’s program featured remarks from state, county, city, and regional leaders who emphasized the project’s role in education, accessibility, economic vitality, and placemaking.

Speakers included: Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, State Representative CarolGlanville, Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand, City Manager Mark Washington, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. President & CEO Tim Kelly, The Right Place President & CEO Randy Thelen, and Kent County Board Chair Ben Greene.


Partners and public leaders were recognized on April 16 for bringing the Grand Rapids Public Museum Riverfront Expansion to life. (Photo: Grand Rapids Public Museum: Used with Permission)


The riverfront expansion was made possible through a combination of public and private investment, reflecting a broad partnership dedicated to reconnecting people to the Grand River and expanding access to education and recreation.

“At every level from city, county, and state, this project shows what’s possible when wecollaborate around shared values,” Mayor David LaGrand said. “This riverfront space strengthens access to a natural resource that is central to our city’s identity, celebrates our history, and helps set the course for the next chapter of Grand Rapids.”

The new riverfront includes outdoor classroom spaces, hands-on science features, improved walkways and trails, enhanced elevators for accessibility, and new vantage points that invite visitors to engage directly with the river. The space also connects seamlessly with other downtown riverfront investments and the regional Grand River Greenway.

During the event, the Museum recognized the generous donors who supported the Expanding Curiosity campaign, with special acknowledgment of campaign co-chairs Jim Haveman, Julie Westra, and Jim Williams for their leadership.


Grand Rapids Public Museum Riverfront Expansion. (Photo: Grand Rapids Public Museum: Used with Permission)

“The completion of this project reinforces our role as a place where history, science, and culture, and community come together,” Robertson said. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this vision a reality.”