marshall township residents proposal for the
kalamazoo river state park recreational area
michigan's premier - preservation recreation destination
where natural history, agricultural heritage and environmental recreation meet
providing recreational and agricultural opportunities to
134,000 Calhoun county residents and thousands of tourists while preserving
south central michigan's critical natural areas!
Read the michigan DNR Parks and recreation division strategic plan
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Marshall, Michigan is located in wasteland when it comes to parks and recreational activities. An inland area located the farthest distance from any of the Great Lakes, it lacks the recreational activities afforded to Michiganders in other areas. Let's change this!!
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A State Park recreational area
would be fabulous!
The Kalamazoo River State Park Recreational Area would attract businesses and manufacturers who want to live in Marshall because it would be AWESOME to live next to this amazing place!
The economic advantages of
State Park Recreational area to communities
Economic impact studies document the many and substantial economic benefits generated by parks. Economic impact studies identify a variety of economic benefits generated by parks. The studies described in this guide each analyzed one or more of these benefits, including:
- Increased property values
- Increased tax revenues
- Decreased medical costs through increased exercise
- Increased tourism revenue
- Improved attractiveness of communities to homebuyers and businesses
- Decreased stormwater treatment costs
Did you know that Calhoun County is the
only County without a State Park?
Calhoun County residents deserve what residents in other counties already enjoy. A State Recreational Area which will incorporate our community's unique agricultural history, will be transformative for our community. Marshall will be the known as the PRESERVATION RECREATION DESTINATION of SouthWest Michigan.
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RECREATION AREA TO INCLUDE:
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300 ACRE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
The district would include two historic farmsteads Bauer Farms and Riverside Farm. (a possible third) offering:
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RIVERSIDE FARM WELCOME CENTER /INTERPRETIVE CENTER
Residing in the 120 year old Main Barn, the Welcome center will provide space for:
Agricultural District Grounds to provide space for:
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MUSEUM DISTRICT
A NEW NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM
Sharing the stories of the people along the river from the Potawatomie to 19th century setters
A NEW NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM
- A new home for the Kingman Museum Collection - a 150 year old collection of artifacts from around the world (now in storage)
- State of the Art Planetarium to seat up to 125 visitors
- Immersive experience space.
Sharing the stories of the people along the river from the Potawatomie to 19th century setters
While other counties in Michigan have their State Parks, Calhoun County has gotten the chaff. We ask Governor Whitmer, to use our taxpayer money to create a 1,800 acre State Recreational Area instead of the "Marshall Megasite," at three and a half mile long industrial complex.
James Durian, Executive Director of MAEDA, revealed in an article featured in Second WaveMedia, that the State of Michigan would purchase the land and develop the site and then Likely give it to a corporation as part of an incentive package! Don't destroy our land and community for corporate welfare! This is our land, and we ask for it to be used for the benefit of local residents and visitors. We need a State Recreational Area!
The park would be transformative! It would help the local economy through the creation of jobs necessary for the park creation. Such as the development of Trails and two tracks and campsites Local nurseries would help with landscaping and the planting of native perennials. Local horse stables could take their clients on horseback rides throughout the park.
Marshall Township residents living within the impact zone will have a BETTER quality of life instead of having to move due to light, air and noise pollution. The park would attract businesses and manufacturers who want to live in Marshall because it would be AWESOME to live next to this amazing place!
ˆWe would preserve our way of life and cultural heritage. ˆ Having more to experience, tourists would stay in the area for longer durations, benefitting local hotels, restaurants and shops. Visitors to the Recreational area would benefit both Marshall and Firekeepers Casino Hotel located just a few miles down the road.
ˆThe Kalamazoo River, one of Michigan's longest tributaries, would be protected and enjoyed. We could restore native plants and animals now extinct on this property. We would prevent light pollution.People could kayak from Marshall to the recreational area and then ride bikes (waiting for them) back to Marshall. You could walk your dog in open fields and not worry about picking up dog poop!! There could be classes on the environment and the ecology for nearby college and University students and children who live in Marshall and other nearby towns, would have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of farming.
This is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY. We have seen industry come and go in Marshall. There is a good chance that whatever is interested in the ”MARSHALL MEGASITE” will go in a number of years. But we can NEVER get this land back again if we destroy it.
James Durian, Executive Director of MAEDA, revealed in an article featured in Second WaveMedia, that the State of Michigan would purchase the land and develop the site and then Likely give it to a corporation as part of an incentive package! Don't destroy our land and community for corporate welfare! This is our land, and we ask for it to be used for the benefit of local residents and visitors. We need a State Recreational Area!
The park would be transformative! It would help the local economy through the creation of jobs necessary for the park creation. Such as the development of Trails and two tracks and campsites Local nurseries would help with landscaping and the planting of native perennials. Local horse stables could take their clients on horseback rides throughout the park.
Marshall Township residents living within the impact zone will have a BETTER quality of life instead of having to move due to light, air and noise pollution. The park would attract businesses and manufacturers who want to live in Marshall because it would be AWESOME to live next to this amazing place!
ˆWe would preserve our way of life and cultural heritage. ˆ Having more to experience, tourists would stay in the area for longer durations, benefitting local hotels, restaurants and shops. Visitors to the Recreational area would benefit both Marshall and Firekeepers Casino Hotel located just a few miles down the road.
ˆThe Kalamazoo River, one of Michigan's longest tributaries, would be protected and enjoyed. We could restore native plants and animals now extinct on this property. We would prevent light pollution.People could kayak from Marshall to the recreational area and then ride bikes (waiting for them) back to Marshall. You could walk your dog in open fields and not worry about picking up dog poop!! There could be classes on the environment and the ecology for nearby college and University students and children who live in Marshall and other nearby towns, would have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of farming.
This is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY. We have seen industry come and go in Marshall. There is a good chance that whatever is interested in the ”MARSHALL MEGASITE” will go in a number of years. But we can NEVER get this land back again if we destroy it.
Governor Whitmer Please make the "Michigan Megasite" Michigan's 105th State Park
The proposed Kalamazoo River Recreational area
would include 2 miles of Kalamazoo River Frontage!
The KRRA welcome center would be situated at the historic Riverside Farm at the "curve" on C Drive North and 13 mile road. The River Walk is accessible via a train crossing directly south from this entry. The Park would include trails for equestrians, hikers, and cyclists. The park can be entered via a bike/walking path which runs along the railroad tracks.
"The Kalamazoo River is one of the most significant natural resources in Southwest Michigan, and potentially the most valued recreational asset in Calhoun County."
Kalamazoo River Community Recreational Foundation
Kalamazoo River Community Recreational Foundation
Wildlife within the Kalamazoo River Recreational Area
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