More snowmobilers, more business

The snow may be gone, but the good effects of encouraging snowmobilers to visit South Haven lingers.

South Haven's downtown businesses were warmed by the city's attempts this winter to be more welcoming to snowmobilers and their machines and look forward to more of the same next winter.

The city has decided to woo snowmobilers by providing them with their own designated routes and parking areas. The move came about after city officials learned that snowmobilers from Kalamazoo — potential customers to South Haven's businesses — were turning back once they hit South Haven's border.

 

With an eye on that potential influx of spending, the South Haven City Council took steps to reverse its restrictions on the snow machines and open defined parts of the city to them, says Brian Dissette, South Haven City Manager.

Dissette says there has been anecdotal evidence the change has brought about increased business already. One day last month there were 30 snowmobiles parked in one lot.

Not only is there good news in snowmobilers spending time in town, but they also don't appear to have created a lot of traffic or noise problems, Dissette says. 

When the city checked in with the Downtown Development Authority to see how the new routes were working, there were few complaints. The reaction was good enough for the city to expand by three blocks the original area where the snowmobiles are allowed.

Under the more welcoming rules, riders can come into South Haven via the Kal-Haven Trail and from there take the Kal-Haven Trailhead to North Bailey Street. The path runs along Wells and Dunkley Streets to the Depot RV Park parking lot north of the Depot Store. 

From the parking areas, snowmobilers can walk into town.

 

The routes also allow for access to the gas station at the corner of 73rd and Phoenix Street and to hotels on Veterans Blvd. and Dewey Court. 

Signs direct snowmobile drivers to their destinations.

 

The change to add the additional three blocks is a "minor addition," Dissette says, but it can "make a big difference in getting them closer to the front doors of local businesses."