The Boardman River flows through the heart of Traverse City before emptying into West Grand Traverse Bay, and since the removal of its dams it has become a genuine recreational and ecological asset. The Boardman Lake area near downtown offers kayaking and canoeing rentals, and the river above the city is one of the better trout streams in the Lower Peninsula.
The Rotary Riverwalk follows the river through Traverse City's downtown parks — it is the most pleasant walking route in the city, passing through the shaded Boardman neighborhood and along the water before reaching the bayfront. The 12-foot sculpture known as the River Guardian, near the mouth of the river, marks the restoration effort and is a good orientation point for the walk.