History

The BEAR Project was first envisioned in the City of Evanston’s Comprehensive Master Plan, adopted in 1983. The Master Plan identified the BEAR Project as an important community goal and a critical element in linking neighborhoods, parks, schools, the historic downtown, the Bear River and the Bear River State Park. Development of the project was not actively pursued until 1987 when the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with the City of Evanston and Uinta County, undertook a hydrological study of the Bear River within Evanston. In 1987 a citizen’s committee was formed to coordinate development with community goals. In 1988, the committee incorporated as a non-profit corporation known as the BEAR Project, Inc. that is now served by a 12 member Board of Directors. Through a unique Memorandum of Understanding, between the BEAR Project, Inc., and the City of Evanston, The BEAR Project, Inc., was charged with creation of a Master Plan, overseeing construction, sponsoring and promoting activities and organizing annual fundraising to assist with the long-term development of the project.

In 1992 the initial BEAR Project Master Plan was adopted by the board. The Master Plan outlined potential user groups, studied the condition of the river environment and set goals the BEAR Project was to accomplish. The establishment of these goals and a network of cooperation between a variety of public, private and non-profit agencies made it possible to accomplish a great deal over a 12-year period. Improvements included filling the historic Union Pacific Ice Ponds by stabilizing the pond dikes and re-constructing the Diversion Structure that diverts Bear River water to fill the Ice Ponds. The River Walk main trail was then constructed along the Bear River Greenway including the construction of Red Bridge and Duncomb Hollow Bridge that links the main trail with the Bear River State Park. The BEAR Community Center, Picnic Pavilion and parking lot where then constructed including an interpretative landscaped area and the Memorial Tree Grove. Early in the master planning of the BEAR Project a detailed Bear River Rehabilitation plan was completed that was designed to clean up the banks of Bear River, enhance the river environment, improve; fish habitat, erosion and flood control, stabilize the river bands and eventually improve recreation in and along the river. After years of securing funding, Phase I of the Bear River Rehabilitation Project was completed in 2006 and dedicated on June 9, 2007.

Encouraged by these accomplishments, the BEAR Project Board sought to identify future opportunities for the organization and site. In 2004 The BEAR Project Board through a private foundation grant, contracted with the Portico Group, a landscape architecture firm who specializes in interpretative planning, and Dean Runyan Associates a market analysis firm. Considering the initial master plan focused on the physical environment, Portico’s approach was to look at the site from an interpretative point of view. Also considered was how the BEAR Project would fit into the larger Evanston community from a marketing point of view, and who the potential users might be. After an extensive re-evaluation of the site, historical research, personal interviews with life-long citizens of Evanston, an interactive community workshop was held to receive input board members, city staff and citizens to determine future interpretative, educational and historical components, the board completed and adopted The Bear River Greenway Master Plan Update and Implementation Plan in June of 2004.