The City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Public Schools today announced that 1,000 Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) students are participating in Canoemobile this week at Riverside Park. The program will end with a free paddling event open to the community on Friday.
Throughout the week, GRPS students are engaging in several outdoor activities, including paddling nine-passenger canoes on the Grand River, learning about the waterway, water quality testing, nature hiking, cultural history lessons and more. Land-based educational opportunities will be provided by Thrive Outside Grand Rapids and other community partners.
This is the fourth time Minnesota-based Wilderness Inquiry has brought its Canoemobile program to GRPS students. The event was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. Wilderness Inquiry is a nonprofit organization that travels the country with the goal of bringing hands-on, water-based learning opportunities to urban students.
“Canoemobile is a special opportunity for GRPS students to connect with our city’s natural resources and the Grand River,” said David Marquardt, the City’s parks and recreation director. “This program aims to redefine our community’s relationship with the river by turning the Grand River into an outdoor classroom.”
“I’m thrilled for the return of this unique experience for our students to get outside and explore their community in new and different ways,” said GRPS Superintendent Leadriane Roby. “Many of our students don’t have the opportunity to experience our region’s lakes and rivers. Canoemobile makes it possible and gives them a chance to learn about the important role the Grand River plays in our daily lives.”
With Grand River restoration work under way, the program comes at a perfect time, contributing to redefining our community’s relationship with the local waterway and create a River for All.
As part of Canoemobile, students, parents, and all city residents are invited to participate in Family Paddle Night on Friday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. NE. Ten-passenger canoes provided by Wilderness Inquiry and single-passenger kayaks provided by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department will be available for free 20-minute rides. Food trucks will also be on site from 5 to 9 p.m. as part of Food Truck Fridays, hosted by GR8 Food Trucks.
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