Riverwoods Park Redecking Project

Posted on: February 12, 2025

River Woods Park is a 31-acre municipal park featuring a 316-foot boardwalk and a metal-framed bridge. The boardwalk was originally constructed 23 years ago. A few years ago, the Department of Public Works began noticing signs of deterioration and had been planning to replace the decking as part of its regular maintenance program.

The boardwalk is made of wood planks with wood picket railings, except for a small portion of the bridge itself, which has metal railings. The boardwalk and bridge connect the east and west portions of the park, which are separated by the Clinton River. The bridge offers beautiful views of the river and its surroundings, while also providing park access to residents of the Parkways, Fountain Circle, College Heights, and Forrester Square communities.

The objectives of the project were to remove all the wood decking and side rails, inspect the support structure, complete any necessary carpentry repairs, and then replace the wood decking with new materials. The City’s Forestry Crew removed brush and invasive species from the work area before the project began in October.

A design change was approved, featuring new side railings that offer improved sightlines and a more appealing appearance. The project was administered by the Department of Public Works and awarded through a sealed bid process to Vesta Homes of Fraser, Michigan.

The project took 31 days to complete, including several days lost to weather. The River Woods boardwalk is expected to serve the citizens and visitors of Auburn Hills for at least another 20 to 30 years.

Stan Torres, Parks Supervisor