Community Vision
For hundreds of years the Kalamazoo River has served as a natural connection, linking people and communities along its winding path and providing us with a common culture and natural resource. Insightful leaders and concerned citizens began reclaiming the river in 1991 through a plan for a non-motorized trail.
Today this vision is on the ground and close to being completed. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will encompass 35 miles of trail throughout our county with links to Lake Michigan, Battle Creek and Portage.
The history of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail movement
The Parks Foundation
Twenty-five years ago a small but passionate group of citizens wanted to protect parkland at the former Morris Markin estate and create a recreational destination. The group created the Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County and formed a partnership with the county to develop and protect parklands. Volunteers and donors banded together to raise more than $6 million to develop, protect and maintain Markin Glen Park. The Parks Foundation also raised nearly $200,000 to create the Wenke Softball Complex at River Oaks County Park. Today the Parks Foundation is leading the effort to raise $5.9 million in charitable funds to complete the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail and ensure its future maintenance.
Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
In 1980 Kalamazoo leaders gathered to develop a plan for enriching our quality of life in the next millennium. From this planning effort The Kalamazoo Forum was created to tackle large-scale community issues, such as restoring the viability of the Kalamazoo River. Citizens, with assistance from the Forum, envisioned a non-motorized trail that would connect these communities and bring residents closer to the river. The Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trailway was created to focus resources on completing a master plan for the trail. Today the Friends are partners with the Parks Foundation and, together, the two groups are realizing a vision that has inspired citizens for decades.
