The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail was named Project of the Year for Michigan by the Mid-American Trails & Greenways Conference. The regional group, covering Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, met in Kalamazoo in October for their bi-annual conference.

“This award validates all the hard work by many partners,” said Toni Thompson, president of the Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, who accepted the award. “This shows an appreciation in our state for what we have done to develop a trail that is connecting all citizens regionally. We are very proud that this speaks so well for Kalamazoo.”

The award, a metal sculpture designed by Kalamazoo artist Holly Fisher and forged locally at The Smart Shop, was given to recognize the labor-intensive tasks undertaken and challenges overcome to develop trail and greenway projects. The award was presented to further recognize that trails are all interconnected, creating a tremendous asset for transportation, recreation, health, and community.

There are currently two of eight segments complete of this non-motorized, paved-asphalt trail.  One stretch includes a 4.8-mile section that connects 10th Street to downtown Kalamazoo, while the other travels from Mosel Ave. to Mayors Riverfront Park, totaling an additional 2.8 miles.  As funds and property become available the trail will continue to grow, realizing a vision that has been in the works since 1991.

Who operates the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail?
The KRV Trail is a County Park and is operated and maintained by the Kalamazoo County Parks Department. To report vandalism or obstructions on the trail, please call 269-383-8778.

Is there a fee to use the trail?
The KRV Trail is free to use, and a pass is not required.  However, a pass is required to use the Kal-Haven Trail. Passes are available for individuals ($3.00/day, $15.00/annually) or families ($7.00/day, $35/annually).  A list of pass vendors for the Kal-Haven Trail is available on the Van Buren County Road Commission website (Van Buren County operates and manages the Kal-Haven Trail).

Where can I park to use the trail?
Parking is available at the 10th Street trailhead (where the KRV Trail connects to the Kal-Haven Trail: 2 miles North of W. Main on 10th Street). Parking is also available on Paterson St. (just West of Riverview Dr.) and at Mayors Riverfront Park (near Homer Stryker Field).  Also, the two major public parking ramps in downtown Kalamazoo provide convenient access to the KRV Trail as well.

Are snowmobiles or golf carts allowed on the KRV Trail?
Golf carts, ATVs, ORVs, snowmobiles, mini-bikes, gas/electric powered scooters or similar motorized devices are not allowed on the KRV Trail.

The KRV Trail is for non-motorized use, such as walking, running, bicycling, skate-boarding, rollerblading, etc.

Is the KRV Trail ADA accessible?
The KRV Trail is ADA compliant, and motorized wheelchairs are allowed by persons with a disability requiring the use of a wheelchair.

Does the KRV Trail go through downtown Kalamazoo? There is a signed-route that connects the two completed sections. The “walking route” follows the sidewalk along Arcadia Creek, and the “bike route” uses Eleanor St. At Burdick St. The walking and biking routes combine to use Water St., leading all the way to Rose Park’s Veteran’s Memorial. The signs are teal in color and have symbols to indicate walk, biking or both.

Is the trail open all year round?
The trail is open all year round, although it is not plowed in the winter. It is, however, occasionally used by cross-country skiers and walkers.  Snowmobiles are not allowed on the KRV Trail.

Is the entire trail paved? The entire KRV Trail is paved asphalt, and except for a .7 mile section along Ravine Road and the downtown signed route, it’s separated from the road.

What time does the trail open and close?
The KRV Trail opens at 7 a.m. each day, and closes at sunset.

Who is paying for the construction of the trail? The trail is funded by private donations and matching enhancement grants from the Michigan Department of Transportation. A public and private partnership between the volunteer-led Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County and Kalamazoo County Parks is bringing charitable contributions and public dollars. To donate, please click here.

Who is paying for the maintenance?
The KRV Trail maintenance is funded by an endowment established by the Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County.

Who is paying for the programs and events?
In partnership with the Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County, the Kalamazoo County Parks Department received a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to provide programs and events to help maximize the benefits of
the trail.  Programs and events can be found here.

Do you need volunteers for the KRV Trail?
We have a variety of opportunities for volunteers, ranging from helping to conduct a trail usage study, to assisting with programs and events. For more information, please email krvt@kalcounty.com, or call 269-373-5181.

Does the KRV Trail have mile markers?
The KRV Trail has mile markers every 1/10th of a mile, beginning from 10th Street.

Can I take my dog on the KRV Trail?
Pets are welcome, we just asked that you clean up after them and that they are on a leash no more than 6-feet long.

Is the trail safe to use?
The trail is safe to use.  To make your experience more enjoyable, however, we recommend using the buddy-system and enjoy the trail with a companion.  There is safety in numbers.

Does the KRV Trail connect to the North Country Trail?
Yes, the KRV Trail connects to the North Country Trail at Fort Custer.  This connection with  North Country Trail connects the KRV Trail to seven other northern states!

This 1.7 mile stretch of non-motorized trail leads through Verbug Park, follows the Kalamazoo River and includes a pedestrian bridge and many feet of boardwalk.

Local media covered the event. Click here for the Kalamazoo Gazette’s article.

To ensure the completion of all remaining sections of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, join other community members in donating today.

KRVT Campaign volunteers and community leaders cut the ribbon to open the Trail segment from Gull Street to Mosel Avenue on November 20.

Dr. Charles Warfield, chair of the KRVT Campaign Education Division, speaks at the Nov. 20 ribbon cutting.

Below is a summary of partnerships on the Northside of Kalamazoo, including photographs, that highlights the great work happening on the Trail.  Keep visiting this web site or the Kalamazoo County Parks for details on programming in 2010.

KRVT 2009 Program Report

Friday, November 20th, 2009
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Verberg Park Trailhead – Paterson Street, Kalamazoo
(West of the corner of Riverview Dr. on Paterson St.)

By Chris Lampen-Crowell

co-founder, Gazelle Sports

As I drove to work each day this past summer, I watched a new trail being constructed along the road, through parks and on a stretch of the Kalamazoo River leading into downtown Kalamazoo.

I notice it every day, not because it is visible (I pass many visible things that I don’t notice) but because it creates a little happy smile on my face.

The trail is not complete, but I have used it to run, walk and cycle. Although I enjoy using it, my use is not the most significant aspect of why the trail development makes me happy.

The trail has many meanings to me. Personally, it provides me an opportunity to stay active. As a cross country coach, it means a safe route for my runners. And for some people, it allows a different mode of transportation to get to town.

However, for me, the most significant meaning is that our community is placing a real value on health through creating an infrastructure that supports and ecourages movement. It is an open invitation to be healthy as it connects to other trails through town and beyond, creating the opportunity to run, walk or cycle farther with little motorized traffic interrupting the flow.

Thank you to every person who is creating the funding, policies, direction and implementation of trails throughout our nation. And thank you to every worker who sweats to make them and maintain them.

Keep moving.

Kalamazoo Gazette coverage of campaign winter deadlines (Jan. 2010)

WKZO reporting on opening of Gull to Mosel segment (Nov. 2009)

Kalamazoo Gazette photo of bridge constructio (Nov. 2009)

First person account on Trail from Kalamazoo Gazette (Oct. 2009)

Installation of a pedestrian bridge at Paterson Avenue.

• Five miles from Mosel Avenue to D Avenue. This section, which runs through Markin Glen Park and the Kalamazoo Nature Center, will be constructed in 2010.
• 1.7 miles from Mayors’ Riverfront Park to Sprinkle Road. Construction on this segment is scheduled to begin in summer 2010.
• In 2011 construction will begin on a 5.5 mile section from Sprinkle Road to 35^th Street.

Construction timelines have yet to be set on the last three sections, which will extend from 35^th Street to the Battle Creek Linear Park, finish a downtown connection to Westnedge Avenue, and connect the KRVT from downtown to Kilgore Road and the Portage Bicentennial Park Trail.