Watershed Weekend, June 11-14, will commemorate the halfway point in the development of Glass City Riverwalk with unique events on both sides of the Maumee River and an outdoor expo in the middle – on the deck of the Martin Luther King Bridge.

The weekend is a celebration of the Maumee River, the largest watershed on the Great Lakes, and the watershed moment for the community when Riverwalk expands to both banks.

“This is a shared community milestone and the beginning of a new direction for our riverfront,” said Mike Keedy, chief engagement and enterprise officer for Metroparks Toledo. “We want to invite everyone to step inside the progress, see what’s done and envision what’s to come.”

Glass City Metropark opened three years ago in East Toledo, reclaiming the riverfront for public use. The park is about 25 percent of the Riverwalk, which will eventually stretch from the Veterans Glass City Skyway to the Anthony Wayne Bridge on both sides of the river, turning former brownfields into a greenway that connects neighborhoods and public spaces.

The latest additions bring the 10-year project to 50 percent completion, a major step forward in the historic renovation of the riverfront. The additions include a portion of the former International Park, now called Glass City Metropark - Upriver, and the downtown riverfront from Cherry Street to Swan Creek.

“Riverwalk is a collaborative community investment in a vibrant downtown waterfront,” said Dave Zenk, executive director of Metroparks Toledo. “It has already become a popular destination, a catalyst for private investment and an attraction for out-of-town visitors. And there is more to come.”

Now in design, the remaining half of Riverwalk will include the rest of the former International Park and a new Metropark in the Vistula neighborhood, from Toledo Pickle Co. to Magnolia Street. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.

Watershed Weekend Events

Watershed Weekend will start with a kick-off event and remarks by community leaders Thursday, June 11, at The Bend, a new elevated trail behind One SeaGate connecting Riverwalk with the bicycle and pedestrian lane on the MLK bridge.

Art Loop: Starburst, Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. across the river at the new International Cove, will feature public art, including a new sculpture, “Starburst,” that is part of the new development.

On Friday, June 12, Party in the Park will have a Metroparks theme with multiple bands and extended locations at Promenade Park and along the riverfront, with a hot-air balloon glow in several locations on both sides of the river. During the event, the City of Toledo will flip the switch on the new lights on the Martin Luther King Bridge. Also that evening, radio personality Eric Chase from Q105 will host the annual Retro Skate party at The Ribbon at Glass City - Downriver.

On Saturday, June 13 from noon to 4 p.m., River Crossing Outdoor Expo will bring interactive outdoor skills such as rock climbing, paddling in a large pool, mountain biking and other outdoor activities to the deck of the MLK Bridge. Without motor vehicle traffic, it will be a rare opportunity for pedestrians to walk, bike, roll and explore the bridge while enjoying the view of what’s new on either side of the river.

Saturday’s events also include Sensory Friendly Weekends at the National Museum of the Great Lakes from 9 to 10 a.m. and Yoga & Community Connection by the Toledo Mindfulness Institute from 10 a.m. to noon. That evening from 3 to 11, TECHLEDO Electronic Music Festival takes over The Ribbon and Market Hall.

On Sunday, June 14, the BRB Run Club will hold a 5K run along the Riverwalk, beginning and ending at International Cove. In the afternoon, the first Riverwalkers community walk will feature a bridge-to-bridge walk between Glass City and Middlegrounds Metroparks for an up-close view of newly restored areas and locations being prepped for future development.

Additional details on the event website: metroparkstoledo.com/watershed