Grant to township secures Riverside Park preserve along Kalamazoo River

What’s happening: Saugatuck Township has received a $2,464,300 grant from the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund program to purchase a 119-acre property along the Kalamazoo River to establish a new public park and nature preserve, called Riverside Park.

What’s the back story: The property sits adjacent to 145 acres of state-owned marshland and directly across from the township-owned River Bluff Park. It features 2,200 feet of river frontage and includes diverse natural features, including extensive coastal wetlands, a wooded ravine with a flowing tributary, shrub wetlands, and a large open field.

What they’re saying: “As one of the last remaining large, undeveloped riverfront parcels in the township, this site offers a rare opportunity to balance ecological protection with meaningful recreational development and create a connected conservation corridor,” says Saugatuck Township Manager Daniel DeFranco. “Unlike other sections of the Kalamazoo River that have seen subdivision development and riverbank landscaping, this section has largely retained its natural landscape. Acquiring this property would prevent future fragmentation and protect the ecological integrity of this unique river corridor.”

What’s next: Over the next year, Saugatuck Township will prepare to open the park to the public by installing a parking area, entrance signage, trail maps, and a short interpretive trail loop to provide safe public access. Additional features could include accessible trails, a wetland boardwalk, river overlooks, nature-based play features, an outdoor classroom, a kayak launch, a fishing pier, and athletic-use amenities such as a nine-hole disc golf course, flexible-use amenities, and a 3.1-mile cross-country trail. The new features will be concentrated in an open field area, preserving over 75% of the site for natural space and restoration.

Why this is important: “The acquisition of this property is a transformational opportunity to expand recreation access, protect critical natural resources, and create a destination park serving those living and visiting in the Tri-Community area and the broader region of West Michigan,” DeFranco says.

Through conservation-centered design and long-term stewardship, Saugatuck Township will ensure that Riverside Park becomes a model of natural resource protection, education, and responsible public access. 

“The grant from the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund for Riverside Park is significant in supporting our vision of the township’s five-year parks and recreation plan and helping us create opportunities for valuable natural and recreational resources for our residents and visitors,” DeFranco says.

What’s the big picture: The township has received over $7.2M in grants and other external funding since voters approved the parks and trails millage in 2022. By the end of 2026, the millage will have generated $726,000 in local revenue.

“This equates to a return of approximately $10.04 in outside funding for every $1 collected through the millage,” DeFranco says. “We’re grateful for the strong positive support from community members and regional stakeholders in wanting to improve recreational access while preserving high-quality natural resources in Saugatuck Township.”

Photos courtesy of Saugatuck Township