Waabizheshikana

In 2019, the City of Duluth renamed the Western Waterfront Trail - Waabizheshikana, meaning “The Marten Trail” in Ojibwe. Waabizheshikana, is an artistic heritage experience trail beside Gitchi-Gami Ziibi, the St. Louis River. The trail passes some of the most historic and meaningful landscapes of the estuary and some of its most well protected natural areas. This interpretive trail experience honors the people and wildlife of the river estuary by bringing attention to how the landscape has changed over time. The principal interpretive elements that will be built along the trail will be the Story Poles. These 10’ tall steel structures feature the Ojibwe names for the plants and animals of the estuary. There will be nine story poles spaced along the trail that serve as landmarks present, maps, information about local landmarks, people, and the forces that have reshaped the estuary over time.