Progress on the Fruit Belt Rail Trail
Beginning May 20, work will continue on the Fruit Belt Rail Trail (FBRT) with paving of the 6th Street trailhead parking lot, followed by paving at the Flesher Field parking lot the following week, weather and schedule permitting.
Crews will also complete landscaping along the trail shoulders, including final grading and the application of a native erosion-control seed mix to help stabilize soils and support long-term habitat.
Over the next several weeks, installation of benches, fencing, and wayfinding signage will further enhance the trail experience.
The trail will remain open during construction, but conditions and access may be limited or inconsistent at times, especially during the final improvement phases.
A community grand opening celebration is planned once the work is finished.
A bit of history: between 1852 and 1924 the Fruit Belt Rail Line ran from Kalamazoo to South Haven, swinging south through the fruit-producing towns of Oshtemo, Mattawan, Paw Paw, Lawrence, and Hartford. Today, 14 miles of the original corridor are enjoyed as Michigan DNR’s Van Buren Trail, and communities along the remainder of the line are working to create a continuous trail across the whole corridor. This FBRT segment is the first section to be built in Kalamazoo County. When the entire Fruit Belt Trail is complete and connects with the existing Kal-Haven Trail, the two will form a unique, 70-mile loop of regional and statewide significance.
Please enjoy the trail while it is open and stay tuned for improvement updates and grand opening details!
Check out the Fruit Belt Rail Trail Master Plan for more exciting details!