Fred McLinden Nature Trails
Campbell Lake
Fred McLinden was a nursery man in Comstock Township. He absolutely loved nature. Mr. McLinden became involved in the park system in Comstock Township. He believed people needed a place where nothing happened but nature. He liked simple things. The parks should be kept natural. They should not have pop stands, drinking fountains, or hunting. He worked to improve the parks in Comstock Township.
The township wanted to honor Fred McLinden for his hard work, so in 1984 a natural park with hiking and ski trails was established in his honor.
The park is located on a 135 acre site on H. Ave that has water wells for Kalamazoo. In the1950's, the area was used for tank testing. It has been allowed to return to nature.
A walk through the park is a real adventure. As you begin, you will walk into a meadow. You might see deer, birds, and butterflies. After the meadow, you will cross over a creek. You can float sticks down the creek. You might hear frogs and you might see fish. You will pass another meadow, and walk along the edge of a forest, until you come to Campbell Lake. This is a good place to look for great blue herons. In the woods, you have to climb a big hill. You may see squirrels and chipmunks along the path. When you leave the woods, you walk past many pine trees. It sounds peaceful when the breezes blow through the pine branches. Later in your adventure, you will come to a steep hill. It's scary to run down the hill because there are slippery pine needles on the path, but it is fun. Soon you will come to another creek. It is a great place to sit down and rest. You return from your adventure by walking under giant pine trees.
Thank-you Fred McLinden for bringing us back to nature.
| Thank-you to Mr. Jeff McLinden for sharing his special thoughts about his father, Mr. Fred McLinden. |
Steep hill |
View of Creek |
More information about the Fred McLinden Trails
By Stephanie
January 2000
