Just about midway between Kalamazoo and South Haven is Bloomingdale. Its location has spurred plans for improvements to a resting spot at the trailhead there along the Kal-Haven Trail.
The Kal-Haven Trail is a 33.5 mile long linear trail that links Kalamazoo and South Haven. Bikers and walkers can pick up the trail at the trailhead on 10th Street in Kalamazoo and on North Bailey Avenue in South Haven.
Improvements to the Bloomingdale trailhead have been proposed for construction on a half-acre of property owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The site now is a gravel parking lot with vault toilets.
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Kal-Haven Trail is a rail trail -- a former railroad bed converted into a trail. Besides bicycling and hiking it also is used for snowmobiling when there is a four-inch snow base.
Plans for the improved trailhead currently are in the concept stage and will be more fully developed after public input has been obtained. The cost of the project and the way it will be paid for also will be determined as plans are firmed up. Several other sources of funding have been applied for from nonprofit organizations as officials hope to keep the improvement project moving.
Early plans call for it a small picnic area tied into an overall vision of the area. It would would be mostly surfaced with grass paver blocks to improve runoff and rain gardens or bioswales will be installed.
Plans are for the property to be named the Jeffery Mitchell Midpoint Park. Mitchell is the special operations officer of the Van Buren Road Commission and has long been in charge of the Kal-Haven as well as the Van Buren Trail between South Haven and Hartford. Van Buren County maintains the trail on a day-to-day basis and the state has administrative oversight of the property.
"The improvements to a trailhead at Bloomingdale will give people a comfortable place to rest and a convenient place to park a vehicle," says Kurt Maxwell of the DNRE. "The trailhead would also be a positive addition for the village of Bloomingdale which has worked hard to improve and beautify its downtown area."
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Larry Hummel, Van Buren County
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