Calhoun County Trailway Alliance

09/29/2026

Less than a month until the Trailway Alliance's Farm to Table dinner, which takes place on Thursday, Oct. 22 at Of the Land Farm on H Drive N. Enjoy a delicious harvest meal on the farm, mingle with fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and support the growth of trail in Calhoun County. Learn more and buy tickets, https://bccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=9613

09/22/2026

The Trailway Alliance is hosting three focus group meetings to talk about trail in Marshall and the MAJOR Campus. The first meeting, tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 23, will focus on Marshall's non-motorized plan. We'll prioritize the type of trail and segments we'd like to see developed in the City of Marshall. Please join us, Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. in the Garden Level Conference Room of the County Building. Please let us know if you have any questions.

09/22/2026

Meet TJ

CCTA Board member, Mark Lelle, was out for a bike ride near Albion last week when he crossed paths with touring cyclist, TJ McDonald. TJ is riding from his home in Seattle to New York City and is doing it in three stages. He began in 2022 and made it to eastern Wyoming before figuratively “hitting a wall” and calling it quits. Not to be deterred--not even by a cancer diagnosis and successful yearlong treatment in 2024--he picked up where he left off and is on track to finish his journey in the coming weeks. As TJ put it, “I think it’s important to be honest about the challenges of solo tours for many people. Luckily, I got back on the bike and here I am.”

TJ has loved the small towns and scenic roads of southern Michigan and wishes he were able to ride at a slower pace and spend more time in them. After camping at Fort Custer Recreation Area and spending time in Battle Creek, TJ rode through Marshall, stocked up on supplies in Albion, and was on his way to a campsite in Waterloo Recreation Area. If you’re interested, you can read more about TJ’s journey on his blog: https://sofaus.blogspot.com/?m=1

09/12/2026

We had a great time at the Bridge Walk over I-69. Many people remarked that the bridge's pedestrian path is surprisingly comfortable, and we talked about 15 Mile's railroad crossing and what trail might look like across MAJOR Campus. If you're interested in these conversations, join us for three focus groups hosted by Trailway Alliance and in partnership with Calhoun County and City of Marshall. All meetings will take place at 4 p.m. in the Garden Level Conference Room of the County Building in Marshall, 315 W Green St. The dates for those meetings are, Wednesdays, Sept. 23, Oct. 28 and Nov. 18.

09/02/2026

Right now, the new trail ends at Opportunity Drive—but what comes next?
Join us for a Bridge Walk on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m., starting at Winston Drive, and help imagine the future of Marshall’s trail system. You can park at the American 1 Credit Union, and the walk is just over 2.5 miles total.
Experience the new multi‑use path as it exists today, then dream with us about what we want to see next.

08/31/2026

Tickets are now available for the Calhoun County Trailway Alliance's first annual Farm to Table dinner on Thursday, Oct. 22 at Of The Land, an organic farm and event venue between Battle Creek and Marshall. This is an opportunity to support the Trailway Alliance and network with other trail supporters and outdoor enthusiasts. Individual tickets are $100 and sponsorship opportunities are available. Find ticket and sponsorship information here, https://bccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=9613

06/08/2026

After such a great TrailBlaze: Family Adventure Day on Saturday at Kimball Pines, we want to thank the people and organizations that made it possible. Thank you to the event sponsors: Ford Motor Company, Bronson B*H Community Partners, Marshall Community Credit Union, Calhoun County Visitors Bureau, and County Commissioner Dominic Oo. And thank you to the local businesses who made the event so fun: Time-Out Trailer food truck, Kirk’s Jump N Fun Rentals with the bounce house, and Penetrator Events with outdoor games. Plus, all of the organizations who tabled and shared information with families. Together, we brought people outdoors and shared the awesomeness of our trails and parks.

06/07/2026

Great day at Kimball Pines hanging out with the parks and trail community.

06/07/2026

Thank you to the families and local businesses and organizations who made yesterday’s TrailBlaze Family Adventure Day such a great event!

05/28/2026

Less than two weeks away! This fun event is for the whole family. Join us between 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, June 6 at Kimball Pines Park.

Calhoun County Trailway Alliance and Ford Invite Community to TrailBlaze Family Adventure Day on June 6

Family-friendly event at Kimball Pines Park celebrates National Trails

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — The Calhoun County Trailway Alliance, with support from Ford, invites families and community members to get outside and experience the beauty of Calhoun County’s parks and trails at TrailBlaze Family Adventure Day on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kimball Pines Park.

Held in celebration of National Trails Day, TrailBlaze Family Adventure Day is a new family-friendly community event designed to connect residents with the Calhoun County Trailway through biking, hiking, outdoor play, and nature-based activities.
The event will feature a Story Walk from Battle Creek’s Willard Library, guided hikes on the trail, a bounce house, games, activities for kids, and information from local nonprofit organizations. Families are encouraged to bring a lunch for a picnic, along with bikes, scooters, or roller blades, and spend time exploring the trails together.

Fundraising for this event will support the ongoing maintenance, improvement, and expansion of the Calhoun County Trailway. Additional major sponsors include Marshall Community Credit Union and the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau.
Community members are encouraged to make a day of it. Immediately following TrailBlaze, the Taste of the Creek will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. at Festival Market Square in downtown Battle Creek, offering food, local vendors, and more community fun.

To learn more and stay updated, visit the TrailBlaze Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kks9wKW6Q/
Event Details

What: TrailBlaze Family Adventure Day
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Kimball Pines Park
Activities: Story Walk, guided hikes, bounce house, games, kids activities, nonprofit booths, picnic opportunities, biking, scooters, roller blades, and trail exploration
Hosted by: Calhoun County Trailway Alliance
Presented by: Ford
About Calhoun County Trailway Alliance

The Calhoun County Trailway Alliance works to support, maintain, improve, and expand the trailway system throughout Calhoun County. Through community partnerships, fundraising, and public engagement, the Alliance helps ensure local trails remain accessible, connected, and enjoyable for residents and visitors.