Historic Bridge Park

Historic Bridge Park, formerly known as “County Park”, exists along the Kalamazoo River and Dickinson Creek.  This park was considered a “Roadside Park” for many years because of its location, adjacent to F Drive North.  Since the abandonment of F Drive North and the creation of Wattles Road and the bridge over the Kalamazoo River, the park is more of a passive recreation area with a scenic overview of the river.  The Historic Bridge Park offers many passive recreational opportunities such as picnicing, walking/hiking, bike riding, fishing, boating and wildlife observation.

In the Spring of 2007, the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division and local high school students put the finishing touches to establish an urban trout fishery in Dickinson Creek that runs through the Historic Bridge Park. The Dickinson Creek Stream Restoration Project 2007 consisted of installing 2 cross vanes of rock within the creek, adding natural materials to the creek including pine limbs and adding native grasses along the creek bed. These efforts hope to transform the creek to a healthy habitat for trout. Please stop and take a look, but don't remove any of the rocks from the creek, to allow this site future enjoyment to all!

The picnic shelter is available to the public and for rental on special occassions.  
Park facilities are handicap accessible.

The trailhead for the County Linear Trailway is located within the park.  The County Linear Trailway will eventually connect to the Battle Creek Linear Trail as well as the Marshall Riverwalk.  The North Country Trail is also associated with this trailway system and is identified by the blue blazes throughout the park.

The County Linear Trailway and North Country Trail go thru Dixon's Bridge 
built by the Michigan Central Railroad in 1891.

The most unique aspect of Historic Bridge Park is the restored bridges that exist within it.  The bridges are an integral part of the trailway system.  The concept of Historic Bridge Park is to rehabilitate historic bridges, which can no longer serve vehicular transportation, to another use such as pedestrian or non-motorized activities.  The restored bridges are placed within the park to serve not only as part of a pedestrian path, but also as a “hands on” exhibit of Michigan’s transportation history and the technology of cast iron and steel fabrication.

There are two bridges fully restored and residing in the park (see pictures below).  A third bridge is currently being constructed.  The park will have a total of 15 bridges when finished.

 The 133rd Avenue Bridge was the first bridge to be restored
and relocated to the park. It is originally from 
Allegan County, Hopkins Township.

The 20 Mile Road Bridge is from Calhoun County and is the second 
bridge to be restored and relocated to the park.

The Park is open year round from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Please take the time to visit one of the most unique parks in the area.

 For questions regarding parks please contact INFO@CALHOUNCRC.NET, Parks and Recreation Director, for Calhoun County Road Commission.