You’re Just a Hop, Skip or Jump Away from the Nearest Kalamazoo Park
Kalamazoo, Portage and surrounding cities are home to many green spaces. With options such as splash pads, beaches, baseball fields, pickleball courts and innovative play structures, Kalamazoo parks are bursting with outdoor family fun.
This park guide will help you find the perfect park for your family to spend the day – or make plans to visit them all!
Whether you’re seeking sports courts, hiking trails or the ideal playground, we’ve got all of your Southwest Michigan parks covered. And when you’re ready to venture, we’ve included some additional spots that are worth the drive.
Park Intel: Picking the Perfect Playground
We’ve done the (very fun) research and gathered intel on every local park listed to make your playground selection easier in three categories:
Toddler-Friendly: To be deemed “toddler-friendly” in our guide, the play structures must be lower to the ground and easy to climb. Most also have softer surfaces in case they tumble while playing.
Mess-Free: These play areas have either woodchips or rubber turf to prevent muddy play.
Swings: We’ve outlined the types of swings offered at each playground: standard swings (for big kids), baby swings (used with babies and toddlers), and ADA (Americans with Disability Act) Accessible Swings.
Academy of Dance Arts
At Academy of Dance Arts dancers experience a nurturing environment where everyone shines.
Dancers will build friendships, confidence, and learn what it means to be part of a team. The memories that dancers create at ADA will last forever.
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SWMI Parks & Playgrounds
Kalamazoo Parks
Arcadia Creek Festival Place
Although best known for concerts and hosting Ribfest, Arcadia Creek Festival Place also includes a fun playground on a rubber surface.
Big kids will enjoy climbing the tall structure and biking along the paved paths.
| TRY THIS | Climbing walls |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | No |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Rubber Turf) |
| SWINGS? | No |
| Arcadia Creek Festival Place 145 E Water St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
Frays Park
Enjoy long walks on the 8-foot wide paths at Frays Park in Kalamazoo. They also offer a mess-free, tall play structure that is great for older kids and a sand volleyball court.
| TRY THIS | Sand volleyball |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | No |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Rubber Turf) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, ADA Accessible, Baby |
| Frays Park 4400 Canterbury Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 |
Henderson Tot Lot
Henderson Tot Lot received a major upgrade in 2018, with resurfaced basketball courts, a pickleball court, new playground structures and an outdoor ping pong table.
| TRY THIS | GaGa ball pit, outdoor ping pong |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard |
Markin Glen County Park
Markin Glen offers a swimming beach, playground, mountain bike trails and 38 modern campsites.
Hikers will enjoy a scenic view of downtown while exploring.
| TRY THIS | Mountain biking, camping, swimming |
| ADMISSION FEE? | Yes. Daily & Annual Passes Available |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard |
| Markin Glen County Park 5300 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49004 |
Upjohn Park & Kik Pool
Upjohn Park includes a skatepark, swimming pool, boundless playground and multiple sports courts.
The Kik Pool is the only 50-meter outdoor swimming pool in the Kalamazoo area.
| TRY THIS | Skatepark, swimming pool |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No park fees. The Kik Pool offers daily or season passes. |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Rubber Turf) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, ADA Accessible, Baby |
| Upjohn Park 1000 Walter St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 |
Portage Parks
Harbors West Park
Nestled inside a Portage neighborhood, Harbors West Park includes features for kids of all ages. Little ones will like climbing the playground and walking the shaky bridge.
Big kids can play basketball, sand volleyball, or in-line hockey.
| TRY THIS | In-line hockey rink, sand volleyball |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Harbors West Park 3458 Summersong Path, Portage, MI 49024 |
Haverhill Park
Located adjacent to the Portage elementary school, Haverhill Park is a favorite stop on the Northwest Portage Bikeway. Families will enjoy the playground, basketball courts and tennis courts.
| TRY THIS | Tennis courts, bike paths |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Haverhill Park 6577 Hampton St, Portage, MI 49024 |
Lakeview Park
Two playgrounds on Lakeview Park offer different options for play. Stay near the park’s entrance with the younger kids (bonus: it’s shaded!). Venture further into the park towards Austin Lake with the bigger kids for a climbing-friendly playground.
Be sure to walk out on the docks to see the fish!
| TRY THIS | Fishing, walking trails |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | No |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Lakeview Park 9345 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002 |
Oakland Drive Park
Oakland Drive Park boasts a towering play structure, soccer fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball courts and baseball fields.
As all slides are tall, covered tunnels, this playground is best suited for big kids.
| TRY THIS | Sledding hill, baseball |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | No |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Oakland Drive Park 7650 Oakland Dr, Portage, MI 49024 |
Ramona Park
Best known for its sandy beach on Long Lake, Ramona Park includes two playground structures, fishing, and multiple sports courts.
| TRY THIS | Fishing, kayaking, lifeguarded beach |
| ADMISSION FEE? | Yes for non-Portage residents during beach season (Memorial Day- Labor Day) |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Rubber Turf) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, ADA Accessible, Baby |
| Ramona Park 8600 S Sprinkle Rd, Portage, MI 49002 |
Schrier Park
Schrier Park in Portage is a favorite spot to gather, both inside and out. The indoor building is popular for party rentals, while outside you can walk the trails, have a snack under the pavilion or play on the playground.
| TRY THIS | Indoor building, walking trails |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Rubber Turf) |
| SWINGS? | Standard |
| Schrier Park 850 W Osterhout Rd, Portage, MI 49024 |
Westfield Park
Westfield Park includes a not-so-subtle blue playground, tennis courts, soccer fields and sand volleyball. While the playground surface is soft (rubber turf), the slides may be a bit too tall for toddlers.
| TRY THIS | Sand volleyball, soccer, tennis |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | No |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Rubber Turf) |
| SWINGS? | Standard |
| Westfield Park 4500 W Milham Ave, Portage, MI 49024 |
West Lake Nature Preserve
The West Lake Nature Preserve is a 110-acre wetland bog in Portage. Families will enjoy fishing, visiting the nature-themed playground and walking the trails.
Tip: Watch your step! Some floating bridges squirt water through the planks.
| TRY THIS | Wetland trails, fishing |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | No |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard |
| West Lake Nature Preserve 9001 S Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002 |
Surrounding Cities
Flesher Field
Located off 9th Street in Oshtemo, Flesher Field hosts Oshtemo Fun Days and the Highland Games annually each summer.
This park offers paved walking paths, a large sports field and a good mix of play structures for big kids and toddlers.
| TRY THIS | Wiffle ball, paved trails |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, ADA Accessible, Baby |
| Flesher Field 3664 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
Kindleberger Park
Located in Parchment, Kindleberger Park includes a Little League complex, playground, outdoor stage, and pickleball courts.
This park is also great for sledding in the winter and a short walk away from a summer treat at Twisters.
| TRY THIS | Pickleball, sledding hill |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | No |
| MESS FREE? | No |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Kindleberger Park 122 N Riverview Dr, Parchment, MI 49004 |
Oshtemo Township Park
Tucked behind the library and township hall, Oshtemo Township Park’s playground includes large and small structures to suit different ages. Climbers will enjoy scaling the massive climbing net in the middle.
For other fun activities, families can try pickleball, wiffleball, or the 18-hole disc golf course.
| TRY THIS | Climbing net, disc golf |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby, ADA Accessible |
| Oshtemo Township Park 7275 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
Prairie View County Park
Prairie View County Park spans an impressive 210 acres that include two lakes (Hogsett & Gourdneck). While there is play equipment (slide/swings), the highlight here is really the water.
Families enjoy the swimming beach, which is shallow enough for little ones to enjoy. If you have canines in your family, this park also offers a dog park.
| TRY THIS | Beach, dog park |
| ADMISSION FEE? | Yes. Daily & Annual Passes Available |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | No |
| MESS FREE? | No |
| SWINGS? | Standard |
| Prairie View County Park 899 E U Ave, Vicksburg, MI 49097 |
Richland Township Park
With 48 acres of land, Richland Township Park has plenty of room for activities: lacrosse fields, baseball/softball fields, basketball courts and a playground are all options here.
| TRY THIS | Baseball, lacrosse |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Richland Township Park 6996 N 32nd St, Richland, MI 49083 |
River Oaks County Park
River Oaks in Galesburg is well-known for its splash pad (open Memorial Day-Labor Day).
This park also includes 20 soccer fields, a dog park, a playground, and a model airplane field.
| TRY THIS | Splash pad, dog park |
| ADMISSION FEE? | Yes. Daily & Annual Passes Available |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| River Oaks County Park 9202 E Michigan Ave, Galesburg, MI 49053 |
Scidmore Park
Scidmore Park is home to a petting zoo (May – October), farmers market, duck pond, and large, farmhouse style playground.
| TRY THIS | Petting Zoo |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Scidmore Park 113 Spring St, Three Rivers, MI 49093 |
Sherwood Park
Situated along the east bank of the Kalamazoo River, a visit to Sherwood Park can include ice skating in the winter and sand volleyball matches in the summer.
This park also includes a Veterans Memorial at the north end.
| TRY THIS | Ice rink, visit Veterans Memorial |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | No |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Sherwood Park 121 N Sherwood, Plainwell, MI 49080 |
Texas Drive Park
Texas Drive Park includes a sandbox, play structure, soccer fields and football field.
There is also a 0.75 mile paved path that encircles the park for walking or biking.
| TRY THIS | Sandbox, soccer fields |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Rubber Turf) |
| SWINGS? | Standard, Baby |
| Texas Drive Park 6603 Texas Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
Texas Township Farmers Market Playground (Pocket Park)
Stop by the Farmers Market in Texas Corners and you will find this hidden gem of a playground, recently named Pocket Park.
Parents of younger kids will appreciate that it’s fenced, lower to the ground and partially shaded.
| TRY THIS | Climbing wall, farmers market |
| ADMISSION FEE? | No |
| TODDLER FRIENDLY? | Yes |
| MESS FREE? | Yes (Woodchips) |
| SWINGS? | No |
| Texas Township Farmers Market Playground (Pocket Park) 7110 W Q Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
Worth the Drive
Bailey Park | 1400 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Kids Dream (Chancy Lewis Park) | 520 S Main St, Lawton, MI 49065
Kids Paradise Park | 200 S Liberty St, Paw Paw, MI 49079
North Side Park | Watson Rd (North of River St), Otsego, MI 49078
Kalamazoo Parks & Playgrounds Map
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