Historic Bridge Park is a great place to visit. Whether you want to take family pictures, senior…read morepictures, picnic, or take a bike ride through the trails, you can't go wrong. My family has done all of the above. Magical in every season. Take the time to check it out, so worth it.

This park is just far enough away from the interstate that you may wonder if it is really worth…read morecoming all the way here from I-94 for a little playground break as you road trip with your family. The answer is: yes. Very nice little playground by a scenic creek/river. Strikingly beautiful grounds, with little trails over the five historic bridges (yes) that have been moved here. Lots of flowers and foliage, at least in the late summer. You'll just have to trust me and try it.

This small park features a baseball diamond, playground and walking path. As well, a playground…read morewith benches, picnic area and picnic tables. Large grassy area with lots of open space. Some street parking. [Review 11050 overall, 823 of 2019.]

I am one of the artist. I created the Troll Totem chair the first year, and the Lady of Leila the…read moresecond year. This was such a unique opportunity for the artists and a great way to give these trees a second life. I really enjoyed the events. Since then I've been back several times. I've been enjoying seeing people taking photos of themselves and their children sitting in my troll. The Arboretum has a lot of beautiful gardens to stroll through. You can see more of my art at www.lizparkerart.com I also have some sculptures for sale right now.

My husband and I went to the Leila Arboretum Society while traveling through Michigan. It was rainy…read morewhen we visited so we didn't get to see the entire park. We did get to see the sculpture garden, which was really cool. The overlook area is a must see area because you can see a lot of the park from there from a great vantage point. We tried to drive to see other areas of the arboretum but the signs were too confusing to follow. I can't wait to go back and explore more of the Leila Arboretum Society!

This lovely small space along the river features benches, a spot for fishing, a small playground,…read moretrails and a walking path. There is parking for a half dozen or so cars too. It's rather secluded, so be aware of your surroundings. [Review 11185 overall, 960 of 2019.]

Went to hike with friends after school. We got scavenger hunt maps which was neat for the kids to…read moresearch for to cross off. We were able to see several birds and learn about them. Birds journeys that led them to be at the sanctuary. Usually you get to feed them but not today since they had a flu going around. Nice paved paths to walk on for strollers and wagons. Bathroom area to use if you need to go. Swans are so much bigger in up close viewing.

This is a wonderful place to see so many birds. It is usually not as crowded as some of the larger…read morezoos in the area. Which adds to the enjoyment in my opinion. The whole sanctuary is a great place for singles, couples, families and anyone who enjoys wildlife. Young kids get a thrill out of seeing the birds. And in non COVID times can feed them too. Adding to children's enjoyment. There are some birds in captivity (usually rehabbed animals) which are common in Michigan. Then the lake and ponds are great places to see waterfowl in their natural habitat. This is a treasure in Kalamazoo county. And a place not to be missed.

The Kellogg Research Forest is an interesting & m as maintained forestry research facility. Like…read morethe USFS, it's a bit too rah rah forestry industry focused but is genuinely educational about the tree species on display in various stands ... there is a surprising number of species showing what goes into commercializing a selected species or figuring out which species will thrive under which environmental conditions...

Hidden nature trail, you never believe this is only 20 min away from Kalamazoo, hiking, house…read moreridding, pretty in summer, great place to ski in winter, part of Kellogg Biological Station, open to public. It is a part of the National Park's North Country National Scenic Trail form NY to North Dakota under construction, longest continuous hiking trail in US! http://www.nps.gov/noco/index.htm After the rainy day all the forest trees smells REFRESHING! Jan/ 2014 About a beautiful swamp board walk: a secret garden Just before the covered bridge and trail entrance gate form the parking lot, go walk left-north, there are rest room, maple syrup log house, picnic area beside the trout creek, keep walking for about 5min. The end of the road with a driving loop, you will see the bridge to cross the creek. Cross the creek walk bridge and you will find the most beautiful little area of this forest, board walk through the swamp with water plants. Best time is in Spring green time. Stay walk along with the creek side trail ( stay with left trails) and cross the high voltage power line. You will see the maple syrup gathering place, start crumbing along with north side syrup correcting tubes you will go back to the north end of main trail. It is about 15min walk. If you like to stay in loop trail, go straight up to the bit steep trail form the main road crossing ( there are two trails go up hill, go right-south hill trail). about 50min you be back to the east side of the covered bridge to the parking lot. This is a great walk including 20 min climbing - cardio, and 15min relaxing gentle down hill, feels like taking exercise class. Have a little great time in nature! Map is available at the ranger station beside the parking lot!

This is a beautiful park, across from the Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. There is some parking here…read moreand walking paths. The park includes a large pond that seems to be a favorite of the local waterfowl. Geese and ducks hard at work raising their little ones. A disc golf course, fishing is permitted, grills, horseshoe pits and picnic areas near the playground. I did not see the Takaski Japanese Garden but that is apparently worth viewing. There is also a statue of a rather regal looking Indian that I didn't quite understand why it was here. Don't feed the geese! [Review 11051 overall, 824 of 2019.]

We biked directly from our camp site at Fort Custer State Recreation Area to the Battle Creek…read moreLinear Park (aka trail). The trail largely runs along the Kalamazoo River which provides some nice scenery. The trail passes through the Leila Arboretum. My favorite spot was the Verona Dam, which has a nice deck with picnic tables and a great view of the water. The dam is like a man made waterfall. The trail runs through the campus of the Kellog Community College and through downtown Battle Creek right past the gorgeous old train station. There's a significant monument to the Underground Railroad near downtown. The sights along the trail are all pretty great! The trail itself is unfortunately poorly maintained. It's the roughest trail surface I've ever ridden in several spots. Not being from the area we found the trail poorly marked and we missed a number of turns and had to stop to search for where does the trail go in several areas. Navigation challenges for us included Bedford Rd Bridge, 20th St, and Washington Ave near Washington School. The trail makes several unconventional street crossings in mid-block such as along Capitol Ave near Bailey Park. Capitol is a busy 4 lane road so we chose to cross at the stop light rather than the marked crossing mid-block.

I ride the Battle Creek Linear Park Trail quite regularly. Usually several times a week. There are…read moreseveral different legs of the trail, but my favorite is the stretch along the river from Bailey Park to River Road. The scenery along this stretch is very nice and I usually see a variety of wildlife. My reason for only a 3 star rating is the condition of the trail. Many areas are very bumpy from tree root damage and the amount of glass on the trail is the most I've seen on any linear trail or rail trail. They have a clean up every year where locals volunteer to pick up various trash along the trail and river, but unfortunately, this does not include a thorough sweeping of the glass. If the city would just repair a few of the worst rough areas and run a lawn tractor with a sweeper down the trail just once a month, this trail could be a 5 star trail. It could also use a few more bathroom areas and watering areas along the route. There is a port a potty at Bailey Park and another at the boat launch near Helmer Road. But areas to get a drink or refill a water bottle are scarce. There is a water fountain near Claras downtown, but for some reason the last couple of years, the city has not turned the water back on in the spring, so it's useless. The city is always wanting to add more parks and facilities around the city, but they really need to maintain what they already have now. Kalamazoo River Valey Trail has 90% less glass and less chance of a flat, for cyclists.