Restoring Kids Creek
City Engineering
Phone
(231) 922-4456
Nearly $4 Million Invested in Kids Creek Restoration
Approximately $4 million has been invested in the restoration of Kids Creek, representing more than a decade of coordinated work to improve water quality, restore natural stream function, reduce the impacts of stormwater and sedimentation, and improve aquatic habitat.
The City has partnered closely with The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay on the large-scale Kids Creek Restoration Project, which began in 2013 with the long-term goal of addressing the conditions that resulted in Kids Creek being placed on Michigan’s 303(d) Impaired Waters List.
A major milestone was reached in 2021 with improvements to several priority crossings where undersized culverts were negatively affecting the creek’s natural flow. Culverts at two locations on Cedar Street and one on Sixth Street were replaced with clear-span structures, improving hydrologic conditions and fish habitat.
Additional improvements included replacing two concrete box culverts with clear-span pedestrian bridges. One is located along the former railroad grade between Division Street and Silver Drive and was completed in conjunction with the Safe Routes to School trail project. The second is located where Kids Creek crosses the abandoned portion of Elmwood Avenue between Eleventh Street and Silver Lake Road. Together, these projects removed barriers to stream flow and helped restore more natural conditions within the watershed.
In 2026, restoration efforts continued with the replacement of the undersized culvert at the Eleventh Street crossing between Elmwood Avenue and Division Street. The project improves stream flow, addresses water quality concerns, and restores habitat for native aquatic species.
The Watershed Center secured a $550,000 Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Nonpoint Source grant to support the Eleventh Street project, with the City providing local matching funds and coordinating the associated roadway and infrastructure improvements.
Beyond replacing aging infrastructure, the collective Kids Creek projects incorporate stream restoration and green infrastructure practices designed to better manage stormwater, reduce sedimentation, improve habitat, and protect water quality. These investments are part of the continued effort to improve the health of Kids Creek and support its eventual removal from Michigan’s Impaired Waters List.
Funding
2021 Kids Creek Restoration: Nearly $2,750,00 invested
The project was funded through a $1,488,717 NOAA Grant funding obtained by the Watershed Center and additional grant funding obtained by the Watershed Center in the amount of $327,500. The City provided additional funding of $454,000 from the Water Fund, $370,000 from the Sewer Fund, and $125,000 from the Public Improvement Fund.
2026 Kids Creek Restoration: Over $800,000 invested
The Watershed Center secured a $550,000 Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Nonpoint Source grant to support the Eleventh Street project, with the City providing local matching funds and coordinating the associated roadway and infrastructure improvements.