Kalamazoo County

What and Where is Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo County is located in SW Michigan. Kalamazoo is the name of the county, largest city, and main river. It was organized in 1830 from St. Joseph County - see the History pages.

Kalamazoo County is named for the river that runs through it, the Native American form of which was probably "Ke-Ken-a-ma-zoo." A widely used translation is "boiling water" . Among other possible translations are "otter tail" and "reflected river"

County seat: City of Kalamazoo

Population: 238,603 (2000)

Area: square miles

Townships: 15

Villages: 4

Cities: 4

See the MAPS , CENSUS , Chronology of Township, Village and City Formation pages

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Famous statements about Kalamazoo:

"In the whole wide world there is only one Kalamazoo."

Willis Dunbar, Kalamazoo and Michigan Historian.

"Yes, Kalamazoo is a spot on the map...Listen with your ears on a Saturday night in Kalamazoo. And say to yourself: I hear America..."

http://www.discoverkalamazoo.com/visitor_information/overview.htm

Kalamazoo County is located in the heart of the Great Lakes region, midway between Chicago and Detroit at the intersection of I-94 and US131.

Area: 576 square miles

Lowest point: 700 ft. above sea level

Highest point: 1,000 ft. above sea level

KALAMAZOO COUNTY AMENITIES

. Over 300 eating establishments

. 83 lakes with public access

. 69 public parks

. 22 public golf courses

. 4 wineries

. 3 ski resorts

. 2 state game areas

. 1 tobogganing park

Average High Temperatures

The climate is pleasant with four distinct seasons of the year ranging from fall's vibrant foliage to spring and summer's lush greenery.

Kalamazoo enjoys lake effect weather which is cooling during the warmer months and provides for a milder temperature during the cooler months.

May: 72 degrees F

July: 85 degrees F

October: 63 degrees F

February: 35 degrees F

Average Annual Snowfall: 70 inches

Weather: www.wwmt.com

Population

Kalamazoo County: 238,603

City of Kalamazoo: 77,145

Time Zone

Eastern Standard

Police/Medical Care

Police (non-emergency): (269)337-8994

Emergency police, fire and ambulance: 911

Borgess Medical Center

1521 Gull Road, Kalamazoo

(269) 226-7000

www.Borgess.com

Bronson Methodist Hospital

601 John St., Kalamazoo

(269)341-7654

www.bronsonhealth.com

Bronson Vicksburg Hospital

13326 N. Boulevard, Vicksburg

(269)649-2321

Worship

Kalamazoo is home to 277 churches, synagogues and mosques. For a complete list of area houses of worship, contact the Kalamazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau at (269) 381-4003. Click here to download a list of places to worship.

Fishing/Hunting Licenses

Department of Natural Resources

(517)373-1204

www.michigan.gov/dnr

Kalamazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau The Chamber Building, 346 W. Michigan Ave.

Kalamazoo, MI - 49007-3783

269.381.4003 - 800.530.9192

Four Season Recreation

Fort Custer

Recreation Area

M-96, east of Augusta

(269) 731-4200

www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/ParksandTrailsInfo.aspx?id=448

Areas for biking, swimming, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, horseback riding and camping.

Kalamazoo River

(269) 383-8778

This 135-mile river has 27 riverfront developments, parks and access sites, offering opportunities for fishing, canoeing, boating and other aquatic sports. For canoeing or trail information call the Kalamazoo County Parks office.

Kal-Haven Trail

Kalamazoo to South Haven

(269) 637-2788 www.kalhaventrail.org

The former Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad track bed has been converted to a biking/hiking/snowmobile/cross-country skiing trail, running 34 miles from an old caboose on Kalamazoo's west side to the Lake Michigan shoreline city of South Haven.

Mayors' Riverfront Park

200 Mills Street, Kalamazoo

(269) 337-8191

Community park equipped with a baseball and football/soccer field and playground, as well as a canoe launch and fish dock.

Yankee Springs

Recreation Area

Barry County

(269) 795-9081

This expansive, rural recreation area north of Kalamazoo features nine lakes including Gun Lake which offers hiking, swimming and boating opportunities, as well as a 200-site modern family campground, open spring through fall.

Boating

Whether you're sailing in silence or roaring over the waves, water sports abound in southern Michigan with more than 83 lakes with public access. Lake Michigan is 37 miles to the west and Gull Lake, 15 miles to the east, offers crystal clear water and beaches.

Fishing

>From sport fishing on the big lake to trolling for trout on a quiet

stream, there are many beautiful places to cast your line. Try charter fishing on Lake Michigan from Saugatuck, South Haven and other ports, or fish in one of the 83 public-access lakes around this water wonderland.

Tennis

Kalamazoo County offers more than 100 public outdoor tennis courts.

Among the largest court complexes are: Kalamazoo College's Stowe Stadium, the Sorensen Courts at Western Michigan University, the courts in Kalamazoo's Upjohn Park and those at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Auto Racing/Race Tracks

GingerMan Raceway

61414 Phoenix Rd.,

South Haven

(269) 253-4445

U.S. 131 Dragway

Martin

(269) 672-7800

www.us131motorsportspark.com

Kalamazoo Speedway

7656 Ravine Road, Kalamazoo

(269) 349-3978