Did You Know Grand Rapids Has a Boulder Wall? And It Has New Murals!

One of the newest features at a Grand Rapids park has gotten a fresh look!

Get our free mobile app

Boulder Wall at Grand Rapids' Highland Park

Last fall we told you that a new boulder wall would be coming to Highland Park in Grand Rapids.

If you're not familiar, bouldering is a form of free climbing. A boulder park is a man-made structure consisting of climbing walls designed to look similar to outdoor boulders. There are hand and foot holds on the new walsl, and the routes are changed frequently to encourage repeated use.

Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation department worked with Grand Rapids Boulder Project on the new feature and the boulder walls opened to the public in June. The project was made possible, in part, by the dedicated parks millage passed by Grand Rapids voters in 2013.

And now an artist has finished a new mural on them!

Highland Park Boulder Wall Gets New Murals

Artist Nick Nortier of Old Growth Creative has created a new public art piece on the boulder wall at Highland Park.

According to Grand Rapids Boulder Project,

Nick dreamed up this project with us four years ago. He stuck with it, attended committee meetings, and worked for countless hours to bring these to life.

They plan to leave the murals for viewing without holds until Oct 17. They'll be placing new holds then.

Here's a before and after at a few segments:

If you'd like to visit the freshly painted boulder walls, Highland Park is located at 523 Grand Ave. NW.

Take a look at the murals from all angles in the gallery below!