Baker Sanctuary
Baker Lodge & Doty Wildflower Trail
GPS: 42.392483 -84.975300
It is 897 acres in size and features a varied habitat. It is dominated by Big Marsh Lake and also contains ponds, streams, cattail marsh, tamarack bog, oak opening, flood plain forest and wet meadow. A 15 acre tall grass prairie restoration experiment was initiated in the spring of 1998.
Nearly 200 bird species and many other animals have been observed in the sanctuary. Prominent among the birds is the the Greater Sandhill Crane, a subspecies of Sandhill Crane, the world's oldest living bird species. Greater Sandhills stand four to five feet tall with a wing span of six to seven feet. Baker Sanctuary is a nesting area and migratory staging area for Michigan's largest bird.
The Meadow Trail
GPS: 42.379967 -85.005083
The Meadow & Marshland Trail is a mowed trail of easy to moderate difficulty. It twists and turns for two miles across rich rolling Michigan meadows and marshland edges while taking advantage of the ample shade provided by many trees along the trail.
Throughout the spring and summer, an abundance of wildflowers and the fauna they attract can easily be found. At numerous points along the trail circular "exploratoriums" provide convenient vistas in a shady resting spot that are fun areas to explore.
Deer, turkey, pheasant, grouse, fox, coyote, hawks, frogs, turtles, butterflies, bluebirds and other species frequent the area surrounding the trail.
Ott Biological Preserve
North side GPS: 42.322617 -85.126650
South side GPS: 42.313483 -85.121683
Within the boundaries of the preserve are two spring fed kettle lakes, Brigham Lake and Hall Lake, as well as the east edge of Dexter Lake, along with wet peaty lowlands and dry, sandy uplands. The uplands include two prominent eskers (glacial ridges), one traveling nearly the length of the property from southwest to northeast.
Elevations in the preserve range from 852 to 920 feet above sea level, with the lowest point being Hall Lake and the highest point near the northeast edge of the property. Well-developed hardwood forests of the uplands include black, red and white oaks, and pignut and shagbark hickories with flowering dogwood as a common understory tree. The Web site provides a wealth of information on the numerous species and varieties of trees and plants to be found in Ott Preserve, as well as the variety of birds and critters who make their home here.
A small map is available on the Web site which can give you an idea of the routing of the main trail through the preserve along with the Stuarek Trail Loop and the J. H. Kellogg Trail. The preserve is open every day of the year from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Because the area is a nature preserve, all natural features, including flora and fauna, are protected. Activities such as hunting, fishing, flower-picking and firewood cutting are prohibited as are motorized vehicles, with the exception of wheelchairs or other conveyances for disabled persons.
Marshall Riverwalk
GPS: 42.260917 -84.951833
The 1.6 mile Riverwalk comprises both elevated boardwalk and paved pathways. There are five pedestrian bridges, boat and canoe launches, as well as scenic overlook areas. Wooded pathways follow both Rice Creek and the Kalamazoo River, providing a great opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat.
Along with the long and winding boardwalk, this Riverwalk also features thousands of feet of scenic sidewalk paths intertwined with the Riverwalk. A canoe launch, restrooms and ample parking can also be found at the Public Service Building just off South Marshall Avenue, midway through the boardwalk.
Near the Public Service Building is an authentic Pagoda constructed in China for the Riverwalk through donations. Along the Riverwalk you can view a number of places significant in Marshall's industrial and social history, including a relic from Marshall's first stone flouring mill, the Marshall Power House, Perrinville, and "Bums Alley." For details, pick up an interesting brochure at the Recreation & Parks office in the Public Service Building (or click here for a facsimile).
Grever's Nature Center
GPS: 42.307867 -85.051233
Grever's Nature Center is a gem to visit! About 90 acres in size, it was donated to the Marshall Public Schools by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Grevers
Mr. Grevers, who with his wife had immigrated from Holland, purchased the land in 1941, raised perennial flowers on some of it, planted seedling pines on the more hilly portions, and maintained over six miles of trails through the acreage. The western portion of Mud Lake lies within the center.
All areas except the narrow strip of swamp land at the north end are accessible by trail.
A very informative brochure can be picked up at the parking lot which provides a map of the trail system and a commentary on the variety of habitat, flora and fauna to be found.
One point of interest is that the swamp directly north of the Center is the headwaters of Dickinson Creek which flows through the Historic Bridge Park at Battle Creek.
Brooks Nature Area
GPS: 42.240733 -84.936133
Brooks Nature Area is located on the west side of 18 1/2 Mile Road on the south side of Marshall north of Stuart Lake.
According to the Web site, Marshall's largest park features 188 acres of diverse habitat and ecology teeming with a wide variety of wildlife including waterfowl (sandhill cranes in flight pictured here), many types of birds and mammals. In 2006 native prairie plantings were re-introduced to 88 acres of the Nature Area. Fields, wetlands and hardwood stands are all part of the park's ecosystem.
Some mammoth hardwood trees along the lake are estimated to be over 300 years old
Historic Bridge Park
GPS: 42.290233 -85.114717
The unique feature of Historic Bridge Park are its restored bridges. The concept of Historic Bridge Park is to rehabilitate historic bridges, which can no longer serve vehicular transportation, to another use such as pedestrian or non-motorized activities. The restored bridges are placed within the park to serve not only as part of a pedestrian path, but also as a "hands on" exhibit of Michigan's transportation history and the technology of cast iron and steel fabrication. The park will have a total of 15 bridges when finished.
The Park is open year round from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This page last updated on 7/30/2008.
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