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Battle Creek Linear Park

Description | Ratings

Trail description: The Battle Creek Linear Park is a 18-mile paved loop around the city of Battle Creek. For part of its length the pathway follows the Battle Creek River and the Kalamazoo River. At the west end it will eventually connect with the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail which, in turn, links with the Kal-Haven State Trail.
Note: There have been comments from users who say that this trail goes through an unsavory neighborhood west of Battle Creek. It would be advisable to avoid it or travel in a group.
Access fee: None
Towns along the trail: Battle Creek, MI (pop 55,000)
Web site: Battle Creek Parks
Trail map: Available from Battle Creek Parks & Rec and on their website
Trail surface: Paved
Designated activities: Bicycling, walking, inline skating, xc skiing
Facilities on the trail:
Points of interest: 50 interpretive panels along the route describe natural and historical features. Battle Creek is the home of Kelloggs cereal (unfortunately their Cereal City USA theme park is closed permanently).
Lodging: Battle Creek has a few hotels and other accommodations
Camping: Fort Custer Recreation Area has 6 cabins and 112 sites
Bike shops:
Weather forecast: Battle Creek
Tourism info: Battle Creek Visitors Bureau
Getting to the trail: Parking lots are located at Riverview Park and Bailey Park
Map of local region: Battle Creek

Rate this section of trail

Number of ratings: 4
Average rating: 3.12  

4        

Trail name: Battle Creek Linear Park
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: May, 2004
Sections that I biked: Entire Trail
My favourite sections of the trail: River sections but entire loop is great
Best time to go: spring and fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Scenery, ease of trail, great for entire family
What I disliked: nothing
Comments:
Submitted by: Val
from: Athens, Michigan
Date submitted: May 20, 2004

3          

Trail name: Battle Creek Linear Park
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: July, 2003
Sections that I biked: All of trail except for the Northern Spur
My favourite sections of the trail: The loop around Battle Creek
Best time to go: Spring Summer Fall
Trail marking: Poor
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 3 stars
What I liked: The paved surface. The loop around Battle Creek
What I disliked: West of Battle Creek along the River, the trail goes thru a BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. Walls should be erected. I was accosted on one occasion. Also the trail is marked very poorly. Unless you are intimately familiar with the trail you may not know which way to turn because there are no signs or indicators to tell you.
Comments: Be sure to do this trail ONLY in company with another cyclist. There is a criminal element which uses the Western spur of the River Trail as cover for their activities. Why do I say this? Do you know what marihuana smells like? Do you know what it means when people sit around holding a cup in their hand with a straw in their nose? A word to the wise should be sufficient.
Submitted by: Fran T
from: Battle Creek, MI
Date submitted: July 21, 2003

2        

Trail name: Battle Creek Linear Park
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: May, 2001
Sections that I biked: All sections west of 20th street and west to the Ft Custer cemetary
My favourite sections of the trail: From the Dickman rd turn off east to Helmer rd. Very pretty along the river.(Kalamazoo)
Best time to go: Spring/Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Well maintained and marked. Nice scenery with flower gardens and woodland paths.
What I disliked: Goes through rough neighborhood east of Helmer road, advise riding in pairs.
Comments: Small section through bad neighborhood, gas station to north of trail approx 1/2 mile on Helmer rd.
Submitted by: rb
from: Springfield, Mi
Date submitted: May 26, 2003

1    

Trail name: Battle Creek Linear Park
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: July, 1997
Sections that I biked: All
My favourite sections of the trail: Portions near Kellogg Community College
Best time to go: Spring
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very_good
Rating: 1.5 stars
Likes and dislikes: Portions of the trail go through some questionable neighborhoods (I would advise against biking alone). There are also some awkward, steep hills. But there are also some portions with pretty gardens.
Comments:
Submitted by: C Bonnes
from: Kalamazoo, MI
Date submitted: Aug 25, 2001

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