CREATING THE KAL-HAVEN TRAIL
back to mapCREATING THE KAL-HAVEN TRAIL |
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Image Credit: Dick Godfrey
In 1869, the Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad constructed a rail corridor between the two cities. Trains traveled the route until 1971.
In 1973, citizens interested in using the abandoned rail bed as a trail approached the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for assistance. The DNR was receptive to the idea and developed the first trail plan in 1975.
Time Line
Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail
Image Credit: Rick Oberle
"I was one of the many . . . who worked to create the Kal-Haven Trail back in the 1980s. . . . Without the Kal-Haven Trail being successful, a lot of other rails-to-trails wouldn't have been successful, either."
- Rick Oberle, Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail board member and vice-chairman
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Image Credit: Sue Hodapp
The text in the above image reads:
"Kal-Haven Trail Blazer, Saturday May 9, 1987.
A Benefit ride for the Kal Haven Trail. Registration 7:30-12:00. Starting points at Kalamazoo and South Haven. Rides of 10, 25, 40, 60, 85 miles. As John Howard set his land bicycle speed record, he could have traveled 38 miles in about 15 minutes. It's taken us 10 years to go 38 miles and we're almost there. But we need your help to make the Kal-Haven Trail a reality. The Kal-Haven Trail is a 38 mile stretch of abandoned railroad between Kalamazoo and South Haven to be used for cycling and other non-motorized uses. In 1984 the Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail rescued the failing project and have it back on track to completion. Come out and ride with us on Saturday, and help support this milestone for bicycling in Michigan.
The friends of the Kal-Haven trail is a group of interested citizens who have pursued the creation of this trail. It is a membership, non-profit corporation of more than 1000 members committed to the trail's success. The Friends' efforts have included successfully reestablishing the trail as a public priority, organizing local support, and creating a unique partnership with the Michigan State Parks Department.
Under this innovative partnership, the trail will be established by the State of Michigan and then operated by the friends of the Trail through user support. This partnership has proved to be the key to success of the trail in this era of limited public recreation resources. The State expects to complete the acquisition of the trail this spring and funds to develop the trail are pending from the state government. Funds to manage the trail are being raised by the Friends through events such as this ride, individual and corporate contributions, and foundation grants. Support has been outstanding!
The Kal-Haven Trail is scheduled to be open later this year, just in time to be a part of the Michigan Sesquicentennial celebration.
We invite you to preview the Kal-Haven Trail countryside, to to enjoy the companionship of other cyclists and to help make the Kal-Haven Trail a success. Register now and come ride with us on May 9th."
Image Credit: Sue Hodapp
The text in the above image reads:
"Kal-Haven Trail Blazer. Saturday May 9, 1987. Rides for All Abilities. 10-85 Miles. Start Your Ride in Kalamazoo or South Haven. Join in at the Michigan Old Time Fiddlers' Jamboree in Bloomingdale at the newly restored 1869 Depot from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm with a Square Dance in the evening."
By 1985, the Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail had nearly 800 members. They helped raise awareness and funds for the trail though events like the annual Trail Blazer ride.
The public-private partnership between the DNR and the Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail is an important part of the trail's success. It serves as a model for other trails.
Opposition to the Trail
Some nearby residents were concerned that people using the trail would invade their privacy and bring crime.
Image Credits: Kalamazoo Gazette
Some residents erected fencing across the trail. Organized opposition led to a court injunction and delayed the trail's opening.
Image Credit: Duane Gross
Image Credit: Duane Gross
Trail Opening
Public hearings and concessions to property owners calmed concerns, and the trail officially opened in 1989.
Image Credit:
Kalamazoo Gazette
The text in the above image reads:
"Quiet opener for Kal-Haven Trail"
"The public opening of the Kal-Haven Trail Tuesday was as quiet as a pine grove at midnight.
Few people showed up to walk the 38-mile trail that was opened to the public following a July 27 tentative court agreement between property owners along the trail and the state.
The lack of trailblazers might be attributed to the opening being in the middle of the week or little hoopla over the event.
More trail users are expected at the grand opening, which has not been set yet by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which maintains the trail, and Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail, a group of trail supporters.The trail's official opening had been delayed pending a Kalamazoo County Circuit Court settlement between Property Owners United Inc., representing residents with property, and the DNR.
Property owners said they wanted easements allowing them access to both sides of the trail. The also said they were concerned about vandalism and trespassing on their property by people who use the trail."
Image Credit:
Hometown Gazette
Trail Passes
When the trail first opened in 1989, daily or annual fees to use the trail were required. Passes were sold at the trailheads and at sites along the trail. Volunteers and DNR staff used to ride the trail to make sure users had passes, selling them one if they didn't. Trail fees were eliminated in 2000.
Image Credit: Sue Hodapp
Did you know?
The 1987 Kal-Haven Trail Master Plan called for the trail to run 38 miles from South Haven to downtown Kalamazoo. But the barrier of U.S. 131 caused the east trailhead to be located on 10th Street in Oshtemo Township, shortening the trail to 33.5 miles. Today, people can complete the journey to downtown Kalamazoo by using the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, which connects to the Kal-Haven Trail by a path underneath the highway.
