KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is nearing completion with the help of a $1 million funding campaign.
The KRVT leadership team is raising the money to fund completion of a final trail segment between Galesburg and Fort Custer Recreation Area, according to a news release from Kalamazoo County parks officials.
Launched earlier last winter, Campaign Connect has raised more than $580,000, nearly 60% of the goal, from about 100 local and regional foundations, area businesses and other community donors. Now the trail group is asking the general public to help reach the $1 million goal.
Funds will be used to finish the 30-mile trail connecting the Kal-Haven Trail to the west and the Battle Creek Linear Park, near Fort Custer, to the east.
The final 4.5-mile segment will complete the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, which connects more than 140 miles of trails in the region. The non-motorized, paved trail is free to use for walking, biking and other recreational activities, the release said.
The effort to complete the local trail has been a decades-long process. The first 4.8 miles of trail opened in 2008. Another section through downtown Kalamazoo was completed in 2017.
Chris Lampen-Crowell, fundraising campaign co-chair and owner of Gazelle Sports, acknowledged the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, and stressed the importance of trails and other healthy recreational opportunities, now more than ever.
“We are all living through a tumultuous and unpredictable time that adds stress on our families, organizations and communities,” Lampen-Crowell said. “As we work to provide trail connections throughout our region, I am pleased to be part of an effort that encourages health, and invites more citizens outside so they can explore our beautiful state. We know that park and trail use are at an all-time high as people seek safe, inexpensive activities during this pandemic.”
Jodi Havera, campaign co-chair and CFO of Landscape Forms, pointed to the popularity of the existing trail, adding its benefits stretch beyond the health and well-being of those who enjoy it.
“Many people use the trails but don’t realize all the community benefits,” Havera said. “Trails attract visitors from outside our region. They spend money in our restaurants, sleep at local hotels, and shop at our businesses. While we’re proud of the fact that we help provide free recreational opportunities, we’re equally proud of the strong economic impact that the KRV Trail and other regional trails are having on our local economy.”
The trail, operated as a Kalamazoo County park, reported use by more than 300,000 residents and visitors last year, marking a 50% increase in usage since 2012.
Contributions to the fundraising effort can be made through the website at parksfoundationkalamazoo.com.
“This is an exceptional opportunity for all the community to invest in our region,” Lampen-Crowell said. “If you want to see the children engaged in healthy activities, families spending time together, visitor’s spending money at our local businesses, then this campaign is for you. Please join us in this great endeavor.”
The campaign to raise $1 million for the trail’s final segment will continue through the end of the winter, organizers said. Funds raised for the final segment may be supplemented with grant funding from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Also on MLive:
Black on Black Friday showcases Black businesses from around Kalamazoo
12 tips for Black Friday fanatics looking to navigate pandemic holiday shopping
Michiganders to see another drop in auto insurance fee in 2021
"complete" - Google News
November 30, 2020 at 07:15PM
https://ift.tt/3lrireG
$1 million fundraiser launched to complete Kalamazoo River Valley Trail - mlive.com
"complete" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2Fvz4Dj
https://ift.tt/2YviVIP
No comments:
Post a Comment