The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is the newest Kalamazoo County Park! The trail is free to use and has a paved-asphalt surface that is 12-feet wide. It's a multi-purpose trail for non-motorized transportation and recreation.

Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
Connections

The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will encompass 35 miles of trail throughout Kalamazoo County. Kalamazoo will be a regional hub, connecting Battle Creek to Lake Michigan, D Ave. to Portage, and eventually Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. This existing trail and planned trails in other counties will enable you to connect more than 140 miles of trail - connecting together the Battle Creek Linear Park, Kal-Haven Trail, and Portage Bicentennial Park Trail.

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.

Operated as a Kalamazoo County Park, the KRV Trail is free to use and offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a relaxing family stroll, a journey into nature, an extensive workout or a bike route to work - the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail awaits your visit.

Recent KRVT News

Volunteers Needed!
Is your New Year's Resolution to spend more time volunteering in 2010?? There's plenty of opportunities on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail! Your help is needed on programs, special events, marketing and survey research to measure trail usage. Contact Maria at KRVT@kalcounty.com or call 269-373-5181. It's an excellent way to meet people, enjoy the outdoors and keep the trail a great place to visit!

Gull to Mosel Officially Opens!
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, November 20th marked the official opening of the newest section of Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. This nearly 2-mile segment travels through Verburg Park, crosses the Kalamazoo River at Paterson St., and then follows Riverview Drive North to Mosel Ave. To view a map of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, please click here.

KRVT Named as Michigan Project of the Year

Earlier this week in Kalamazoo at the Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference, the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail was named as the project of the year for the state of Michigan. A total of 16 awards were handed out - two for each of the eight states (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota) that were participating in the conference. The awards were designed locally by artist Holly Fisher, and were constructed as part of her internship program at the SmartShop in Kalamazoo.

The story was featured in the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Toni Thompson, President of the Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trailway, accepted the award on behalf of the project.

MSU to conduct Trail Usage Study on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Have you ever wondered how many people use the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail? Or, why they use it? Soon we'll have the answers to these questions, and many more! As part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trail Programming grant, we are contracting with Michigan State University to conduct a 3-year trail usage study. Using a combination of on-site surveys, observations and infra-red counters, their research will include establishing baseline data on trail use, as well as information on trail users. The research will be led by the team of Dr. Christine Vogt and Dr. Charles Nelson from the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies at Michigan State University. This research team has conducted similar studies on the Pere Marquette Rail Trail, and in Washtenaw County, just to name a couple. A large portion of the study will include using volunteers for the observations, so stay tuned for opportunities to follow here.

New Trail Brochure and Maps are Now Available

Our new Kalamazoo River Valley Trail brochure is now available, and the updated map includes the recently completed section from Gull to Mosel. If you'd like a copy of the brochure mailed to you, or a stack for your business, please call 269-373-5073 or email krvt@kalcounty.com. The maps are available online as well by visiting this page.

Point-to-Point Distances

10th Street to Ravine 3 miles
10th Street to Westnedge 4.8 miles
10th Street to Rose Park 5.7 miles
Rose Park to Mosel Ave. 1.9 miles
Mosel Ave. to Mayors' Riverfront Park (end of trail) 2.8 miles
10th Street to Mosel Ave. 7.4 miles

Safety First!

• The Trail is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to sunset.
• Follow all County Park Trail Rules posted along the trail.
• Obey all trail and traffic signs.
• Always wear a bicycle helmet.
• Cyclists and skaters must yield to pedestrians.
• Keep right and pass on left. Give audible warning before passing.
• There is safety in numbers. Use the buddy-system and enjoy the trail with a companion.
• Pets must be on a leash no more than six feet long and owners must clean up after their pets.

Click here for a full list of the trail rules.

Special Events

If you or your group is interested in holding an event on the trail, please submit a "Special Event Request Form" to the Kalamazoo County Parks Department. Forms may be faxed to 269-373-5080, or mailed to:

Trail Program Coordinator
3299 Gull Road
Wing 2, Room 201
Kalamazoo MI, 49048

Join the Parks Foundation in supporting the trail.

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 together to develop and maintain the trail. To do your part in supporting the trail visit www.kalamazoorivervalleytrail.com or call (269) 383-0515.

Thank you to the following public and private partners who are making the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail possible: Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County, City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan Department of Transportation, Kalamazoo Road Commission, and the many citizens, businesses and foundations supporting our efforts.