ALPA has redesigned the shadow boxes at each entrance to the Preserve. We plan to update these seasonally and would love to hear your thoughts and comments on how they enhance your experience. Make sure to stop and take a look, learn and enjoy this natural space. Happy Spring!
Beavers Take Up Residence
(January 2021) As many of you know a group of beavers has taken up residence on the south side of the lake near the peninsula and have been cutting down trees for over a year. ALPA and WMU have consulted with environmental experts and we have been encouraged to leave them alone for the time being, and take some protective measures where needed. Since they do their work at night we hope everyone will tread carefully and quietly and let them rest during the day. Here is a link to recent article.
New Brochure and Trail Markers
(January 2021) ALPA and the Asylum Lake Preserve Management Council have been working together on two important initiatives over the past few months: Committees have been working on marking and describing the trails to make it easier for those visiting the preserve to enjoy its beauty and protect its natural features and living things as well, especially by staying on the trails. ALPA has created a new brochure with the updated information describing interesting sights and facts relating to each trail. Trees throughout the Preserve have been marked with blue, green, red and yellow diamonds to indicate the major trails. You can find the complete brochure and maps at all of the three entrances (in the near future) as well as in pdf form on the Trail Maps page in this website.
Vandals Destroy Bike Racks
At the beginning of October, vandals ripped off the dog poop bag dispenser and destroyed it, they also ripped out all three bike racks disturbing the bricks. WMU has taken steps to repair the damages. While nearly everyone who uses the Preserve is careful and considerate of this natural treasure, we hope everyone will treat it with care and concern for all who visit and the creatures who live there.
ALPA Board Members Spruce up Parkview Entrance
On Saturday September 26, 2020 ALPA board members joined Paul McNellis to spruce up the entrance area on Parkview. Members trimmed and cleared weeds around signs and spread mulch to keep the weeds down. A water bag was placed around the tree planted recently in memory of Arthur Falk who was an ardent supporter of the Preserve. We are planning more projects in the future and will need some volunteers. Contact us to sign up.
August, 2020 ALPA Board Approves Statement Supporting Keep Kalamazoo Wild
The board of directors of the Asylum Lake Preservation Association endorses the effort of the Stewards of Kleinstuck's "Keep Kalamazoo Wild" campaign to purchase twelve acres adjacent to the Kleinstuck Preserve in order to keep it undeveloped. Especially, since we understand the devastating impact of development on the border of precious green space in the city, we feel an urgency to make sure that this land is purchased by the Stewards to prevent a possible development of over 100 housing units on the land at 2000 Hudson Street. We invite our members and friends to visit the Keep Kalamazoo Wild website: keepkalamazoowild.com to find out the details of the campaign and how to contribute. The purchase of the land and the arrangements for holding it are secure; all that is needed is financial support from the community.