{"id":19788,"date":"2026-06-18T19:05:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T19:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=19788"},"modified":"2026-06-18T19:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T19:05:19","slug":"watershed-weekend-bridges-together-community-with-riverwalk-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/18\/watershed-weekend-bridges-together-community-with-riverwalk-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"Watershed Weekend Bridges Together Community with Riverwalk Celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Alexandria Leatherberry<\/strong>
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Toledo Metroparks and Toledo Design Collective commemorated the development of the downtown riverfront with a Watershed Weekend celebration – June 11-14. The projected 10-year project has been transformational in engaging communities on both sides of the Maumee River.<\/p>\n

Making the takeover of the Martin Luther King bridge a perfect location to celebrate the progress at the halfway point of the strategic plan for the waterfront, Watershed Weekend was filled with community activities along what was previously Toledo\u2019s transport harbor, which has been shifted to a top gathering destination spot.<\/p>\n

On the former international park side of the MLK bridge visitors found the International Cove, a kayak port open to the public. New amusement was also revealed crossing back to the Vistula side of the bridge with an addition of a slide and hanging free climb that will have a home under the connecting bridge.<\/p>\n

Watershed Weekend kicked off Thursday, June 11<\/strong> with a Rise and Rally event for Metroparks supporters, with remarks from community leaders beginning at 11 a.m. at The Bend, a new development behind One SeaGate, Downtown.<\/p>\n

The Arts Commission hosted Art Loop: Starburst, Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. across the river at the new International Cove. The free event featured public art, including a new, 15-foot-tall sculpture, \u201cStarburst,\u201d that is a permanent feature of the new development. Performers for the evening reflected the international theme of the event, including ethnic music and dance groups.<\/p>\n

Residents were invited to enjoy the new additions and walk the bridge while it was closed to traffic on Saturday, June 13, experiencing some of the recreational activities available all across Toledo Metroparks. Watershed Weekend featured each Riverwalk’s developmental milestones, with events held at The Ribbon, Promenade Park, Levis Square, as well as including newer development areas the Bend and International Cove.<\/p>\n

The four-day celebration also marked the installation of “Starburst,” a sculpture by Blessing Hancock, which will anchor a planned open-air art gallery along the waterfront. Metroparks programs such as Hooked on Fishing brought registration materials and equipment to introduce children to outdoor recreation. “I wanted to give something to my neighborhood that was outside of the box,” said Riccardo Sampson, who has partnered with ProMedica to host the fishing group every Saturday at Glass City Metropark.<\/p>\n

The success of Watershed Weekend highlighted the progress and the excitement surrounding the future of Toledo\u2019s waterfront. Reigniting the innovation and creativity of the community surrounding it, the Riverwalk is continuing to break ground on the opportunities for growth in the Toledo area.<\/p>\n

The Toledo Collective has reported over $30 million dollars being invested into the area for both residential and recreational activities. Making it essential to not only stimulate visitors but also the people who shape Toledo every day. The development plans underwent several workshops to ensure that Riverwalk was something that would give back to its neighbors as reflected through the Watershed Weekend celebration.<\/p>\n