We will accomplish our mission by:

  • Providing leadership in the exploration of development ideas and opportunities.
  • Acting as credible conduit for citizens to donate their time and money to projects that inspire them.
  • Working closely with government in project planning and implementation.
  • Coordinating projects with organizations and businesses that have shared interests.
  • Communicating with the public and donors on the status of projects.








Make an on-line donation to the capital campaign. 
Now you can make a tax-deductible, on-line donation to our capital campaign.  To make a donation click the button below:

Contact us:
River District Development Foundation of Merrill
Post Office Box 561
Merrill, WI  54452
Telephone:  715-536-9474
email: riverdistrictofmerrill@gmail.com
website:  www.riverdistrictfoundationofmerrill.com

Phase 1

Establishment of a recreational trail that will connect the downtown area west to the MARC and Council Grounds State Park.  The trail's length would be approximately 2.5 miles long, extending westward following the Wisconsin River, at times utilizing abandoned rail track.

The foundation has received a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service to assist with the planning of this phase 1 project for 2012.

Phase 2
Establishment of a recreational trail that will stretch 1 mile along the north bank of the Wisconsin River from the Business Hwy.51 bridge East toward I-39/Highway 64.  The proposed trail would passs mostly through an area that is being abandoned by industry that will be ripe for redevelopment in the future.

Phase 3
The goal is to connect Prairie Trails park with Lion's and Stange Parks as well as TB Scott Library with a recreational trail approximately 1.25 miles in length that would follow the Prairie River north.


Where Our Future Flows Together. . .

We also have a volunteer group:
Friends of the River District

Why Friends of the River District?

    * To invigorate development in Merrill
    * To provide incentives for young and older 
       families to visit and reside here
    * To solicit support for mutual community goals
    * To increase our tax-base to control property  
       taxes
    * To expand employment opportunities
    * To reverse reduction in student enrollment 
       and adult population
    * To develop areas adjacent to rivers for  
       business and recreation
    * To renew/develop blighted areas
    * To provide non-governmental leadership for 
       all of the above and more.