Is it difficult to go home? Ask the salmon that are attempting to reach their
spawning grounds in the upper reaches of the Grand River. They have a
Herculean task to get up the fish ladder at the Grand River downtown
Grand Rapids. Joseph E Kinnebrew IV, designed the Fish Ladder Sculpture
that allows the fish to climb the dam at Fourth Street and Front NW.
The Fish Ladder was installed in 1974 and is a favorite spot to watch the
fish return up river in the fall. We have seen the fish so thick that the
ducks can walk on their backs to catch treats thrown in for them.
Grand views of our local city and riverfront are visible from here. You can
see the many cranes and buildings going up on Michigan Avenue, also
known as The Medical Mile. The VanAndel Institute, Butterworth Hospital,
Lemmon-Holton Cancer Center, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and the
Michigan State University Medical School.
A small public city park adjoins the fish ladder and is an intimate spot to
bring a picnic lunch and watch the activity on the river.
Fishermen were pulling huge salmon from the river when we visited the
other day. The salmon are on their way from upstream to Lake Michigan.
Hope you enjoy our photo tour:
Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photos by Terry Westbrook
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,
the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in
West Michigan. We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
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Terry, what neat photographs, and beautiful Jacaranda tree blooming - or at least that's what it looks like to me. Really neat that the fish can climb....I like that. Reminds me of the Salmon running in the Columbia River or should I say up the river? ;-)
Teri: We took our Grandson down to see the salmon. With the spring thaw the water is moving too fast for most of the fish.
Great subtle advertising piece! Not that you intended it to be that, but it still is:)
Looks like it would be neat to see in the fall/ When does that happen? In late September?
Drew: Lots of nice places to visit in Grand Rapids. Lots of fisherman taking fish out of the river when we were there.
Russ: yes October it is very picturesque near the river.