Kalamazoo River Greenway - Request for Funding and Kayak Launch Donation

City Council Agenda Item Report FROM:

Ryan Cummins, City Manager

MEETING DATE:

August 9, 2026

SUBJECT:

Kalamazoo River Greenway - Request for Funding and Kayak Launch Donation

DESCRIPTION: In 2018, in partnership with the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) and municipalities throughout the County, a lower Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan was created. In 2019, City Council endorsed the plan as an advisory document to guide a comprehensive approach to restoring the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries and help engage public involvement to determine financial feasibility of any proposed projects. A copy of the plan can be viewed here: https://tinyurl.com/ry4r7s In June 2025, the City of Saugatuck, along with City of the Village of Douglas, Saugatuck Township, City of Fennville and Saugatuck-Douglas Rotary Club each approved $5,000 in funding to the ODC for Kalamazoo River Greenway plan projects. Annual Report The ODC has prepared the attached annual report summarizing work completed over the past year. Representatives from the ODC provided a presentation on these efforts during the August 5 City Council workshop meeting. Funding Request The ODC has requested a $5,000 contribution from the City for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to continue implementation of the Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan. Kayak Launch Donation As part of the work to implement a water trail, the ODC secured a kayak launch donation from the Saugatuck-Douglas Rotary Club. Afte the workshop, the ODC advised of a rapidly approaching deadline to use the funds from Rotary to make the purchase. They are requesting

that Council consider accepting the donation and have the Parks and Public Works Committee work to recommend an appropriate location to City Council. Staff recommends approval of the funding request and acceptance of the kayak launch donation. BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: There are sufficient contractual dollars appropriated in the Harbor Department to cover the expense. BOARD/COMMITTEE REVIEW: The Parks and Public Works Committee will review and recommend a location for the kayak launch. The Historic District Commission will have to review/approve any installation within the district. LEGAL REVIEW: N/A at this time. Legal will be at your meeting if you have any questions. SAMPLE MOTION: Motion to approve a $5,000 contribution to the Outdoor Discovery Center for Fiscal Year 20262027 to support continued implementation of the Lower Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan and accept the kayak launch donation from the Saugatuck-Douglas Rotary Club.

July 30, 2026 Ryan Cummins, City Manager Holly Anderson, Mayor 102 Butler St Saugatuck, MI 49453 Dear Ryan and Holly, On behalf of ODC Network, I would like to express our gratitude to Saugatuck for collaborating with us on many community initiatives. We would like to thank Saugatuck for your interest in partnering with us in the important work to implement a greenway corridor along the Kalamazoo River addressing environmental restoration, recreation, conservation and education. The Kalamazoo River Greenway plan was completed in 2018 with the goal to bring communities together with a shared interest in environmental stewardship and economic vitality. In the past year, we have provided programming, restored and installed over a dozen native gardens, treated invasive species, held volunteer cleanups at area parks and along the river, and brought 13 different organizations together at four meetings to collaborate on greenway work. With Saugatuck’s support of the Kalamazoo River Greenway, the ODC Network will be able to continue working on issues of importance to Saugatuck, including but not limited to: • • • • • •

Habitat conservation Invasive species consultation Recreation programming Project management Grant writing for the KRG Mission Inter-park pathway planning/development

Trail development & review EPA Superfund coordination Educational programs Water trail establishment Property acquisition planning Community/school collaboration

Our continued partnership with Saugatuck is very important for our organization and the community. In light of this, we respectfully request a 2027 financial investment of $5,000 for the Kalamazoo River Greenway. By collaborating with local units of government, corporations, foundations and individuals, we can create a vibrant community for people to live, work, play and learn. Thank you again for your support and leadership in our community. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions. Sincerely,

Dan Callam, ODC Greenways Manager

Kalamazoo River Greenway Stakeholder Annual Report

August 5, 2026 24

Kalamazoo River Greenway Overview Mission Statement of Kalamazoo River Greenway “The purpose of the plan is to implement a greenway corridor along the Kalamazoo River in Allegan County addressing environmental restoration, recreation, conservation and education.”

■ This includes rivers, greenspaces, trails, connectivity, infrastructure, access, collaboration

Kalamazoo River Greenway Year at a Glance: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

240+ lbs of trash and invasives species removed in community led efforts 222 Participants in 16 programs 20 Sites managed for invasive species 10 Restoration projects completed 9 Native plant gardens 4 Rain barrels installed 4 KRG Stakeholder Meetings bringing 13 organizations together 3 Digital educational campaigns reaching 7500+ community members 2 Grants received with more pending 1 Environmental Stewardship Day for SPS 8th grade class 1 Krazy for the Kazoo River Stewardship Day (1st ever!)

Restoration & Conservation ODC Conservation Services ● Township ○ ecological assessment for Dowd property ○ 9-acre prairie restoration at Douglas Cemetery ● Saugatuck ○ Harbor Natural Area invasive species management ○ City-wide invasives survey ○ Mt Baldy restoration project in progress ● Private landowners ○ 6 small-scale restorations in 2025 ○ 10+ restorations in 2026 ○ 2 pond shoreline restorations ○ Invasive species management ● Pottawattomie Marsh invasive species and general management

Restoration & Conservation ● Conservation Map - Proposal for Connectivity in Saugatuck Township ● Land Acquisition ○ Due diligence being completed on significant area property for potential acquisition/preservation ○ Have met with 7+ landowners about help preserving or designating easements on their property ● Macatawa Greenway/Regional Connectivity Planning 30

Lower Kalamazoo Water Trail What is a water trail? ● Guiding water users between sites, usually aimed at paddlers What are the benefits? ● Recreational ● Economic ● Safety ● Ecological

Lower Kalamazoo Water Trail Monthly Working Group to vet project ● Research, mentorship & development Community-wide Open House on April 28 ● Great attendance, feedback Next steps: ● Make final determinations on budget spend ● Present & receive approvals on MOU to access owners ● Development Plan ● Finalize map and website ● Finalize logos for marketing materials ● Phase 2 & 3

Landing page + Development plan

Partner Project Highlights ● ● ●

Douglas – Union Street dock improvements Saugatuck – Spear Street boat ramp improvements Saugatuck Township – secured Dowd property, final fundraising for Riverfront Park Fennville – applied for Rural Readiness grant to plan for future trail connections Rotary – have received two matching grants for greenway initiatives

Fixed Dock Installation

Fixed Dock Installation Large metal fixed dock installation using Wave Armor fixed-dock mounting kit with guide poles and brackets. 2 poles with be 3ft into the lake bottom

Blue Vista Marine Services

Floating Dock Installation

Floating Dock Installation Large floating dock installation using C-channel adapters, receiver blocks, and knuckle connections.

Blue Vista Marine Services

Safety Benefits Stable entry and exit, improved accessibility, slip-resistant surfaces, and safer launching. Accessible by all!

Blue Vista Marine Services

Krazy for the Kazoo - May 30 ● ● ●

240 pounds of trash and invasive species removed 37 volunteers worked at six locations Major organizational support by Saugatuck/Douglas and Kalamazoo Rotaries, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, and Allegan Conservation District Planning to work with Yacht Club for 2027 event 39

Water Smart LandscapingGreen Stormwater ● Green stormwater helps keep water clean by minimizing runoff and maximizing groundwater recharge ● ODC provides education and guidance that can be implemented by homeowners, businesses, schools, and other landowners 40

Education and Program Outreach Summary ● 222 participants in 16 programs with Allegan Parks ● 2 workshops for Watersmart landscaping ● 2 additional hikes with ODC Conservation staff ● 3 Digital educational campaigns reaching 7500+ community members 41

Grant Applications Approved/Pending - Bell’s Brewery Native Gardens - Mi Water CorpStream Monitoring program - Rotary Foundation – water trail support grant - Michigan Coastal Management Plan10/26positive feedback on application - MDARD Regen Farmer Network Grant - Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL)

Denied - Rural Readiness - Michigan Health Endowment - DTE Tree Planting - Michigan Invasive Species Grant - Consumers Energy Planet Grant Keep them coming!

Sediment and Watershed Health ● The health of the watershed → health of the river ● Gathering baseline data thru MiCorps monitoring grant ○ Macroinvertebrate and habitat assessments beginning this fall in the Rabbit River watershed 43

Kalamazoo River Greenway-Priorities ● Grants for infrastructure ● Ag Best Management Practices ● Connectivity of spaces

● Land acquisition ● Sediment/dredging ● Watershed health assessments

Kalamazoo River GreenwayInvestment What’s Next? ● Launch Lower Kalamazoo Water Trail ● Education ● Greenway activation ● Greenway expansion ● Focus on the pillars ● Create a vision for long term growth + investment ● Funding partner request 45

Wave Armor Kayak Launch Proposal

Wave Armor Kayak Launch Proposal

Blue Vista Marine Services | Parker Lammers | 616-840-2016

Assembly Delivery

Assembly & Delivery -Blue Vista Marine Services will fully assemble the kayak launch, and install railings. -Installation can be done by your crew or ours. Instructions will be given for install if not done by us. -Estimated Install Time (1-2 hrs)

Blue Vista Marine Services | Parker Lammers | 616-840-2016

Fixed Dock Installation

Fixed Dock Installation Large metal fixed dock installation using Wave Armor fixed-dock mounting kit with guide poles and brackets. 2 poles with be 3ft into the lake bottom

Blue Vista Marine Services | Parker Lammers | 616-840-2016

Floating Dock Installation

Floating Dock Installation Large floating dock installation using C-channel adapters, receiver blocks, and knuckle connections.

Blue Vista Marine Services | Parker Lammers | 616-840-2016

Safety Benefits Stable entry and exit, improved accessibility, slip-resistant surfaces, and safer launching. Accessible by all!

Blue Vista Marine Services | Parker Lammers | 616-840-2016

Maintenance Cleaning

Maintenance & Cleaning -Clean using a light pressure washer setting, or scrub brush, mild detergent, CLR Calcium/Lime Remover, or all-purpose cleaner. Dawn Dish Soap is also a great cleaner Brush and rinse as needed.

Blue Vista Marine Services | Parker Lammers | 616-840-2016

Long-Term Ownership

Long-Term Ownership -UV-resistant polyethylene, corrosion-resistant hardware, low maintenance, and long service life. -Industry leading 8 year warranty on the port.

Blue Vista Marine Services | Parker Lammers | 616-840-2016

Why Blue Vista Marine Services

Why Blue Vista Marine Services Professional installation, waterfront expertise, ongoing support, and local service. Michigan’s Largest Wave Armor Dealer

Blue Vista Marine Services | Parker Lammers | 616-840-2016

Questions

Questions

Parker Lammers, Owner Blue Vista Marine Services 616-840-2016 www.bluevistamarine.com