Asylum Lake Preserve is a 274-acre parcel of land that is owned by Western Michigan University. The lake and adjoining property lie in the West Fork of the Portage Creek Watershed. The land is preserved as a passive-use recreation area under an agreement between the City of Kalamazoo and WMU. Asylum Lake's preservation was ensured as a condition of the development of the Engineering College on Parkview Avenue. The property serves as a research area for professors and students of anthropology, biology, geography, hydrogeology, and environmental studies at WMU as well as other educational institutions. It is managed by a 14 member Council made up of representatives from local neighborhood organizations, environmental groups and WMU departments.
Announcements
WMU Landscape Services hosted an AmeriCorps team this summer. The team worked on restoring the ecological health of WMU's natural areas including Asylum Lake Preserve. Check out this presentation to learn more about their projects:
We recently completed the construction of the new entrance and parking lot off of Drake Road. The parking lot was designed to filter stormwater into an adjacent rain garden which was recently planted with native vegetation by volunteers from WMU's FYE program. Our goal was to create a safer and more accessible entrance on the east side of the Preserve.
Dogs are allowed on the property but have to be leashed at all times, including if in the water. This is important in order to protect the natural environment as well as other visitors and their pets. Kalamazoo County Animal Control Officers will be ticketing anyone with unleashed pets.
The Asylum Lake Management Council is currently working with an architect firm to develop a comprehensive trail system at Asylum Lake Preserve. The trail system will include disabled and emergency vehicle accessible trails. Click on the following links to view maps of the preliminary draft designs:
Location
Asylum Lake Preserve is located on the corner of Drake Road and Parkvew Avenue in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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WMU Natural Areas Program
Mission Statement: WMU's Natural Areas Program partners with students and faculty, local ecological organizations, area schools, and volunteer groups in order to promote environmental stewardship, provide research and education opportunities, and create healthier natural areas on WMU properties.
Contact Information
Cari DeLong
Natural Areas Manager
Landscape Services
Western Michigan University
(269)387-8568
cari.delong@wmich.edu
