Silver Bay Trailhead and Black Beach Campground, City of Silver Bay, Minnesota
The high demand for camping sites and event space led the City of Silver Bay
"The Downtown Riverfront revitalization is a significant undertaking that happens to be located in the heart of our great community. Although the project itself is complex and an inconvenience during construction, Bolton & Menk’s staff consistently communicates with the adjacent business owners. It is a valuable aspect to our business community for them to have the ability to maintain operations in a safe manner during construction. Open communication with our residents and businesses is the city’s top priority during the revitalization project(s). Bolton & Menk has and continues to demonstrate positive community interaction not only in the project design phase but as well, during actual construction."
- Brian Yavarow, City Engineer
Early in 2018, Fergus Falls adopted a Downtown and Riverfront Master Plan aimed at uncovering economic and recreational opportunities along the Ottertail River corridor. Bolton & Menk was enlisted to guide the city through the planning process.
By 2021, with the final master plan and funding in place, Bolton & Menk developed design documents for a segment of the downtown riverfront. The proposed enhancements included a versatile river market structure, regional bike and pedestrian improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and public spaces like a splash pad, all shaped by community feedback gathered through meetings, events, surveys, and social media.
With these plans finalized, the city pursued and obtained funding to progress with phase 1 construction in 2022, which included the market structure, parking lot improvements, bike trail extension, river overlook, monumentation, and gathering spaces. Phase 2 was completed in 2024 with additional features like a splash pad, interactive river feature, public art, shade structures, multiple gathering spaces, and a public restroom building.
Because of the innovative planning, engineering, and landscape architecture, the city has a beautiful downtown riverfront area that attracts users from across the region.
The high demand for camping sites and event space led the City of Silver Bay
Ocean Boulevard will be renovated with new asphalt pavement, concrete sidewalks, curb and gutter, street
The courtyard is highlighted by an infinity-edge reflecting pool surrounded by hardscape and planting. The
Through the facilitation of a successful master plan, affordable housing and open space was integrated
Three Bolton & Menk projects received accolades from the City Engineers Association of Minnesota (CEAM) in both
Two Bolton & Menk projects have received Project of the Year Awards from the Minnesota