Friends of the River Bend Trail

05/22/2026

Imagine, none of this was here about 15 years ago. What a difference!
I added the soda machine as it’s really the only fundraiser we do now, it helps pay for flower beds and minor expenses. Thanks for grabbing a soda or water!

05/03/2026

Thanks Friends of the Council Grounds for Including us, great turnout tonight. Hoping people got to see a trail they haven’t been on before.

04/30/2026

At the candlight walk on Saturday, we will have a clearance far below cost sale! Once gone that’s all we have! $5 each! Come to one of our tables at the Marc center.
We will have one table by the dog park, and one by the snack shack.
We also will be giving away the plastic bottles for free, first come first serve, or if you wish to donate something that’s fine also. We want them all gone. See you Saturday, we will be there around 6:30 pm.

02/13/2026

We usually like positive posts but the amount of dog f***s on the trail is out of control! Why would a small amount of the population do this to a great thing in the city? It’s also against city ordinance.

01/16/2026

If you build it they will come! New apartments on the trail.

12/26/2025

I didn’t get a photo at night but thanks for making the Pavilion area very nice for Christmas!

12/04/2025

Winter views are waiting for you along the River Bend Trail. ❄️
Photo credit to Dave Wiensch

11/12/2025

The Black Squirrel Scurry triathlon again gave us a portion of their proceeds. We received a $500 check from them. This is a great event bringing many people to Merrill and experiencing our great outdoors! Consider volunteering next year it is a lot of fun watching!

10/23/2025

We were able to attend the ground breaking for the new development on the vacant parcel adjacent to the trail. These units will provide apartments right near the Riverbend Trail. A local company VanHoffKo The River LLC is the developer. They are using local financing and a lot of local people to complete this development. Welcome!

10/22/2025

Groundbreaking for a large development along the trail. October 23rd at 1:30 pm. Local developers.
https://www.wsaw.com/2025/10/21/groundbreaking-set-new-apartment-project-merrill/?fbclid=IwZnRzaANlGZZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHq_2I1zOPFjnthaB6TUUrhNzElTIWPiXhUPne0-nULUAhUe9YFA9P8EJmmx0_aem_xsEd9f9YTBC7hTbJZ5zlhA

The River is a market-rate apartment complex featuring three 22-unit apartment buildings along the Wisconsin River in Merrill.