Campground restrooms at Cold Brook Park are scheduled to be remodeled in 2025.
Kalamazoo County Parks
schedules local remodeling
The Kalamazoo County Parks Department is planning more improvements at Cold Brook County Park near Climax and River Oaks County Park near Galesburg in 2025.
Kalamazoo County Parks and Expo Center Director Dave Rachowicz said the biggest improvement in 2025 at Cold Brook County Park will be remodeling in the camp ground restrooms. He said a new roof and refinishing the interior and all fixtures are planned at the local campground.
The improvements come a year after the County Parks Department experienced record camping at Cold Brook. Rachowicz attributes the surge in camping numbers to the Fort Custer Camp ground being closed for part of the season. “We had many first time campers at the park,” said Rachowicz.
The County Parks and Expo Center director said at River Oaks County Park, the existing gravel drive to the dog park will be paved, which Rachowicz feels “will be a big improvement for the many park visitors that utilize the dog park year-round.”
The County Parks Department also made improvements at both local County Parks in 2024, installing a new fishing dock at Cold Brook County Park and installing new sidewalks inside the dog park with fencing and gates improved at River Oaks County Park.
The three local County Parks experienced heavy usage in 2024. According to County Park attendance figures, attendance numbers at Cold Brook County Park was 61,055, at River Oaks, 470,780, and at Scotts Mill County Park, 22,200.
System wide, Rachowicz said the biggest project underway is the development of the new Woollam Nature Preserve. The Woollam Nature Preserve was the former Camp Rota-Kiwan in Texas Township.
Rachowicz said new improvements will include kayak rentals, picnic shelters, a large nature themed playground, expanded hiking trails, and indoor rental facilities.
The park is currently open Saturdays and Sunday from 9 a.m. to Sunset. In late spring, the park will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to sunset.
Rachowicz said the overall, the county park system admission figure of 1,645,349 in 2024 was up slightly over 2023 (1,635,433).
Locally, he said Cold Brook Park was down by 8,050 in 2024 compared to 2023, which he attributes to a very mild winter. He said both Cold Brook and Prairie View Park are popular for ice fishing, however he notes there was less the none week of ice that was safe for fishing in 2024 due to the unusually mild weather. He said when looking at the month to month admission numbers, there is a direct correlation to no ice for ice fishing available in January, February, and March.
Scotts Mill County Park had no change in attendance figures in 2024. The county parks director adds an attendance increase of 54,177 at River Oaks County Park can be attributed to additional soccer rentals and tournaments at the local county park.
County Park entry fees will be unchanged for 2025 with one exception. Rachowicz said a $5 discount for military veterans has been added. Cost is $5 for a daily pass. A regular annual pass is $25 for a senior citizen or Military Veteran Pass, and $30 for a regular annual pass. Passes can be purchased at the park in person at the gatehouse or through the self pay system. Another easy way to purchase a County Park pass or make a camping/picnic reservation is by calling the County Parks Department office at 269-383-8778. The County
Parks Department is currently accepting reservations for 2025 camping and picnic facilities at County Parks.
Rachowiz adds the county has also just launched a completely new website at www.kalcounty.gov where residents can check out all the current information about the Kalamazoo County Parks and Kalamazoo County Government.
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