Money for trailway keeps project on path for expansion

A 2.5 mile piece of the Kalamazoo Valley River Trail has come closer to reality with funds promised by Kalamazoo County.

The County Board recently approved $200,000 toward the project. The funds were sought by the Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo.

Those monies will help the county get state funds build the $1.89 million section of trailway. It is expected the Kalamazoo County Road Commission will be able to obtain $985,379 from the Michigan Department of Transportation now that the county has approved its contribution to the project.

The Parks Foundation hopes construction will start the most recent  section of trail in late 2011 and it will be open by midsummer 2012.

So far, 14 miles of trail have been constructed. Once complete, the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will stretch 35 miles through Kalamazoo County. The city of Kalamazoo will be a regional hub connecting Battle Creek to Lake Michigan and pathways in Portage.

The existing trail and planned trails in other counties ultimately will link more than 140 miles of trail and connect with the Battle Creek Linear Park, Kal-Haven State Park Trail, and Portage Bicentennial Park Trail. The asphalt paved trail is 10 feet wide and use of the trail is free.

Altogether, more than $18.6 million is needed to develop the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail and create a $2 million endowment for its future maintenance. Of that amount 53 percent has or will come from state, federal and local government units. The remaining 47 percent has been or will be donated by individuals, businesses and foundations in the community.

The Parks Foundation has 40 percent of the total needed to complete the project. To make a donation visit the Parks Foundation website.

Writer Kathy Jennings
Source: Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo