KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo County officials say they are exploring a proposal that would transition management of the Asylum Lake Preserve to the county.
They say the agreement would place oversight of the preserve with a public entity whose core responsibilities include the care and management of parkland and natural resources, including a similarly sized nature preserve.
The Asylum Lake Preserve is a 274-acre parcel located on the northeast corner of Drake Road and Parkview Avenue in Kalamazoo.
County officials, WMU representatives, and members of the Asylum Lake Preserve Management Council and the Asylum Lake Preservation Association recently discussed this proposed transfer of management responsibilities of the property that would also preserve ongoing educational and research activities, environmental preservation efforts, and free community access to the property.
The proposal would first be reviewed by the governing boards of both Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo County in February. If both boards choose to move forward, the parties would formalize the proposal through a memorandum of understanding and later negotiate an interlocal agreement to address any transfer of responsibilities.
WMU officials say central to the plan, Asylum Lake Preserve would remain permanently protected for passive recreational use under existing conservation restrictions and state law. The preserve would continue to be open to the public for passive outdoor recreation at no charge, and WMU would retain access to the property for educational and research purposes.
The University would continue to hold title to the property, with a formal transfer of ownership envisioned as a longer-term step that would require action by the state legislature.
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