The Calhoun Conservation
District (CCD) announced that a "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony" will be held
on Monday, September 24th at 2:00 pm to celebrate their newly acquired
Hart's Lake parcel. The CCD, working closely with the Battle Creek
Community Foundation, Michigan Department of Military and Veteran's
Affairs, and several other conservation partners received grant funding
from the Army's Compatible Use Buffer program and the WK Kellogg
Foundation to purchase 325 acres of the Hart's Lake parcel from Battle
Creek Unlimited. The parcel, which is adjacent to the Fort Custer
Training Center, was purchased to complete a buffer zone around the
Base, ensuring continued training activities as well as to allow future
passive recreation to the public. A small portion of the property will
be closed to visitors when any impacting training activity is held. The
remaining property will be open soon for the public to enjoy for hiking,
bird watching, non-motorized boating and other passive recreational
activities. No fishing will be allowed in the Lake until a comprehensive
fish study has been completed.
The public is invited to this event. Access to the event will be from
Stanley Drive. Self-guided walking tours will be allowed after the
ceremony. Please contact Tracy Bronson at the Calhoun Conservation
District at (269) 781-4867, extension 5 for more information.