Kanoe the Kazoo 2009

Since 2003, the highly successful Kanoe the Kazoo float trips down the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries have introduced hundreds of citizens and officials to the beauty of the river and to the recreational and economic opportunities it presents.

Kanoe the Kazoo continues in 2009 with a series of canoe trips beginning in May and continuing throughout the summer. On Saturday, May 30, 2009 the public is invited to canoe/kayak the lower Kalamazoo River from New Richmond to Douglas. The trip will take approximately two and a half hours and will travail one of the most beautiful stretches of the river.

Paddlers are instructed to meet at the public access site located at New Richmond. The easiest way to get there is to take Old Allegan Road east off of 58th Street just north of Fennville. Old Allegan Road dead ends at the launch site. Vehicles will be staged at the city park near the Center Street launch in downtown Douglas and transportation will be leaving Douglas at approximately 9:30am to take paddlers back to New Richmond. Participants should arrive at New Richmond by 8:00am to drop off gear and register for the trip.

This particular Kanoe the Kazoo event also marks the grand opening of the first segment of the Kalamazoo River Watershed Heritage Water Trail. To commemorate this event there will be a 30 minute presentation at the city park in Douglas starting at approximately 9:00am. There will be light snacks and refreshments served at this event and all paddlers are encouraged to attend. The bus back to New Richmond will leave Douglas when the ceremony is complete. For more information on the Heritage Water Trail project please visit this Web site: www.kazoowatertrails.org.

The Kingman Museum has agreed to handle advanced registrations for all Kanoe the Kazoo events in 2009. Registration for the New Richmond to Douglas trip is $5 per boat (not including canoe/kayak rental) and can be made on line by visiting the Kingman Museum Web site: www.kingmanmuseum.org/kanoethekazoo.

Reservations can also be made by calling the museum directly at (269) 965-5117. Registration for this trip will also be taken on site the day of the event. Participants in need of canoe or kayak rental are instructed to call Old Allegan Canoe Livery at (269) 561-5481 or Running Rivers Kayak Rental at (269) 673-3698. Information regarding all of this year's Kanoe the Kazoo trips can be found at the Kingman Museum's Web site.

The New Richmond to Douglas trip is being hosted by the Allegan County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department and the Allegan Conservation District. If you would like further information about this trip, please contact Kevin Ricco at the Allegan County Parks and Tourism Office at (269) 673-0378 or Tina Clemons at the Allegan Conservation District at (269) 673-8965 ext. 3.