Our Parks
Oshtemo's parks are a great source of pride. They benefit our community in many ways: by providing us with places to enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature and each other, and improve our health through exercise. Our parks are gathering places for special events, sports tournaments, family picnics, and more. They protect wildlife habitat and help maintain the quality of our air and water.
Oshtemo Township owns and maintains three community parks: Flesher Field, Oshtemo Township Park, and Drake Farmstead Park. We also own and maintain three historic community buildings: Oshtemo Community Center, Grange Hall, and the historic Drake House. Our parks and community buildings are available for all residents and visitors to enjoy. We hope you’ll get outside and experience Oshtemo’s parks today!
View our Parks and Rental Facilities:
Parks
Rental Facilities
Organized Recreation Opportunities
The Kalamazoo Wiffle League is an adult league open to all wiffleball enthusiasts. Games are played in Flesher Field and Township Park on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For more information, visit kzoowiffleball.com. Soccer Shots, Step Up and Run Kids Club, and Yoga in the Park are programs offered at Flesher Field Park. For more information contact the Parks Department.
Senior Activities
All seniors are welcome to attend. Advanced sign up is not needed.
Location:
Oshtemo Community Center
6407 Parkview Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
- Card Games
- When: Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m.
- Admission Fee: Free!
- Chair Yoga
- A gentle form of Yoga that helps those who are uncomfortable getting up and down on a mat. Chair Yoga gives students, seniors and others, the support of a chair while doing simple movements, breathing and relaxation exercises to impart all the benefits of yoga, including improvements in: mental focus, stability, strength, flexibility and relaxation.
- When: Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.
- Admission Fee: $5, paid to instructor. Additional donations are welcomed.
- Adult Mat Yoga
Community Events and Private Events
Looking for a place to host a community event? Or a large private gathering? Both Flesher Field and Oshtemo Township Park can be reserved for events of all sizes. All Special Event Applications and private events with over 200 people must be reviewed by our Parks Committee. Pavilion rentals are available in Flesher Field and Township Park. More information, prices and a calendar are available in the park descriptions above. Flesher Field also features a gazebo and garden area that can be reserved for weddings, concerts, and special events. See above for more information. Questions? Contact Vanessa Street, Parks Director, at vstreet@oshtemo.org or (269) 216-5233.
Love our Parks?
Volunteer with the Oshtemo Township Friends of the Parks. This non-profit organization is dedicated to supporting Oshtemo’s parks in a variety of ways. Service projects, special events, or volunteer activities are held each month. Our “Friends” remove invasive plants from our trails, organize community events such as Music in the Park concert series, lead guided hikes, and more! Our volunteer base is small but growing! Visit www.oshtemofriends.org for more information, or look for us on Facebook.
Upcoming Dates for Volunteer Sessions:
| Time / Date: |
Volunteer sessions have been paused for the month of December. We will reconvene in January, dates TBD. Please check back! |
| Location: |
To Be Announced |
Details are as follows:
- What do I need to know? No experience is necessary, and volunteers will be trained to identify target species.
- What to wear: Wear clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty and work/gardening gloves.
- What to bring: Loppers or pruning shears if you have them. If not, just bring yourself!
- What about the weather? We will work in light rain, will cancel if the rain is heavy.
- Need volunteer hours? If you/your students need volunteer credits, I am happy to sign off on volunteer forms.
Questions: Contact Vanessa Street, Oshtemo Township Parks Director, at vstreet@oshtemo.org or (269) 216-5233
A group of volunteers
Memorial Benches
Support our parks by purchasing a dedication plaque for a memorial bench at Township Park, Flesher Field, or the Grange Hall. This is a great way to celebrate a special occasion or remember a loved one. Your tax deductible contribution of $1,500 will have a lasting impact on our parks. For further information, please contact Vanessa Street at vstreet@oshtemo.org
“In Memory of Dale Pattison”
Support Our Parks
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Oshtemo Township Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. It’s easy to donate!
- Access the Kalamazoo Community Foundation website at http://www.kalfound.org
- Select the Give Now button
- Enter the amount you wish to give
- Under Designation select “Another Foundation Fund”. Enter the Oshtemo Township Parks and Recreation Fund in the “other” box that will appear below.
- Enter billing and credit card payment information
- Give yourself a pat on the back for helping to ensure the future of our parks!
About Us
With volunteer support from the Friends of the Parks and the Oshtemo Historical Society, administration and day-to-day management of the parks is the responsibility of Oshtemo Township’s Parks and Maintenance Departments. The Parks Committee, a sub-committee of the Township Board, serves as an advisory body and oversees the planning, management, and budgetary decisions regarding parks in the Township. Two members of the Township Board volunteer to sit on the Committee and are appointed by their peers. In addition, two members of the public are appointed by the Board to serve on the Committee. Meetings are generally held on the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm. Residents are welcome to attend. Contact the Parks Department for more information and meeting locations.
Other Local Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas
Other Local Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas
The following are other recreation opportunities available to the public within Oshtemo Township. These are under separate ownership and management.
Wolf Tree Nature Trails
This 70 acre nature preserve is located at the corner of 4th Street and KL Avenue. It is owned and operated by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and will be open to the public in 2016. The site is wooded with rolling hills, walking paths, and a small parking area. For more information about public access, visit http://swmlc.org/project/wolf-tree-nature-trails/
Lillian Anderson Arboretum
Located adjacent to Oshtemo Township Park and owned and operated by Kalamazoo College, this 140-acre arboretum provides an important research and recreation resource for both the
college and the community. While conservation and recreation are the primary objectives of the facility, low-impact recreation such as hiking, nature study, and cross-country skiing is permitted. For more information about public access, visit https://reason.kzoo.edu/arboretum/visit_the_arb/
Kal-Haven Trail State Park and Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
The eastern trailhead of the Kal-Haven Trail State Park, a 35 mile linear park connecting Kalamazoo to the City of South Haven, is located in Oshtemo Township. The trailhead is located on 10th Street, north of H Avenue, and includes parking, restrooms, water, and a picnic shelter.
The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail also terminates at the 10th Street trailhead, connecting Oshtemo to downtown Kalamazoo and beyond.
Forms and Documents