Development of a Plan

The Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trailway partnered with Kalamazoo County, the Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County, the Kalamazoo County Road Commission and 13 local government units through which the Trailway will pass. Providing access to the River and its environments re-establishes, and indeed capitalizes, on appreciation for this natural resource, accruing benefits to the individuals and communities along its path. The total funds estimated to complete the Trailway will be nearly $16 million, with $2 million earmarked for maintenance endowment. A unique partnership of public and private funds provides us an opportunity to complete the Trailway and celebrate the rediscovery of the River.

Happy Trails To You

The Kalamazoo River winds west from the center of the state. The Trailway is being designed to generally follow along the river, passing through rural, urban and suburban areas, with the ultimate goal of connecting communities from Calhoun County to Lake Michigan. With the 30-mile Battle Creek Linear Park and 35-mile Kal-Haven Trail State Park and 40-mile Portage Creek Bicentennial Park Trail completed, constructing the following areas will complete the Kalamazoo River Valley Trailway for a total of nearly 130 miles.
Kalamazoo/Kal-Haven Connection
As the Trailway winds northwest from Downtown Kalamazoo, it will pass through a residential area, light industrial and woodlots to provide recreational opportunities in nearby neighborhoods, as well as non-motorized access to the central business district.

Downtown Kalamazoo Connections

One route will follow the Amtrak Railroad line on Willard Street through an area that is targeted for mixed-use redevelopment. A second route will create important connections to the Arcadia Creek Festival Place and other existing downtown areas via Eleanor and Water Streets, and along Arcadia Creek.

Kalamazoo Riverfront Connection

Mayor’s Riverfront Park will connect to the City of Parchment and Comstock Township, through a network of side trails. A new pedestrian bridge, boardwalks and other structures are being planned, as portions of this segment wind through areas of wooded wetlands.
Portage Creek Connection
Extending south through downtown and the Upjohn Park, the Trailway winds its way near the Portage Creek, Blanche Hull Preserve, and will connect with the increasingly popular Portage Creek Bicentennial Park trail system.

Parchment/Cooper & Kalamazoo Township Connections

The Trailway stretches from Mosel Avenue north to D Avenue and traverses abandoned railroad lines, wooded floodplains and forested uplands. It runs through Markin Glen Park and the pristine Kalamazoo Nature Center to the D Avenue bridge, which will serve as a connector, linking the trail on both the east and west sides of the Kalamazoo River.

Comstock Connection

This five-mile section connects the Galesburg River Rams Trail on the east with Mayor’s Riverfront Park on the west. The trail will border on the north side of Morrow Pond and provide access to the lakefront in River Oaks County Park. Following King Highway through Comstock and Kalamazoo Townships, it links many recreational facilities along its way.

Galesburg Connection

This trail portion will link the Galesburg River Rams Trail and road networks to provide right-of-way for a system of bike routes and lanes leading into existing City parks and downtown attractions.

Augusta/Fort Custer/Battle Creek Connection

This greenway section will connect Battle Creek’s Linear Parkway on the east and the many communities to the west. Offering urban and rural attractions, Trailway enthusiasts will have access to the Kalamazoo River for fishing and viewing vistas, the historic 3,033 acres of the Fort Custer Recreation Area and also be able to enjoy nearby restaurants, small specialty shops and food stores.