KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo County Administrator Tracie Moored today announced the county has finalized the purchase of the former Rota-Kiwan Boy Scout Camp.
This comes after the decision to do so was made at a meeting last week.
The Texas Township camp, which opened in the 1920’s, was closed by the Michigan Crossroads Council, Boy Scouts of America in 2019. The county will transform the site into a nature preserve and park.
Kalamazoo County Parks has been working with philanthropist John Woollam, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County and the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy to purchase and protect the property.
The purchase price for the 212 acres was $2 million and was funded entirely through private donations.
In recognition of the donation by John Woollam, the park will be named in honor of his parents and will be called the Arthur E. & Mildred H. Woollam Nature Preserve.
“Today is a great day for the residents of Kalamazoo County, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts from across Michigan,” Board Chair Tracy Hall said in a statement. “Once open to the public, the Arthur E. & Mildred H. Woollam Nature Preserve will be a crown jewel in Kalamazoo County and will surely be a draw for nature lovers throughout Michigan. Also, a special thank you to our Parks Director, Dave Rachowicz, who worked so hard to coordinate this possibility.”
The preserve will be available for public use once Kalamazoo County completes a thorough inspection of all structures, facilities, and utilities. Fundraising efforts also continue with the goal of raising an additional $1 million to begin the first phase of improvements.
Kalamazoo County will begin a planning process soon and will seek public input on the future of the property and facilities.
“I want to thank the private donors, including John Woollam, who stepped up to preserve these pristine 212 acres of land for generations to come,” Board Vice Chair Tami Rey added. “I am glad this site will be preserved for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy for years to come.”
The Arthur E. & Mildred H. Woollam Nature Preserve features 212 acres of nature and shoreline on Bass Lake and Scouters Pond nestled in the heart of Texas Township.
The former scout camp facilities offer an opportunity to continue youth group camp activities with Kalamazoo area youth groups. This property is also connected to the 741 acre Al Sabo Land Preserve.
Al Sabo was established in the early 1970s by the City of Kalamazoo, to protect the Atwater drinking water wellfield. Al Sabo features hiking trails, mountain bike trails and a paved non-motorized trail.
In addition to becoming a County Park, the property will also be protected by a conservation easement in partnership with the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy to protect the natural property in perpetuity.
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