- Fort Custer Recreation Area
Infobox_protected_area | name = Fort Custer Recreation Area
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base_width = 250px
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location =Michigan , USA
nearest_city =Kalamazoo, Michigan
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lat_direction = N
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long_direction = W
area = 3,003 acres ( km²)
established = 1971
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governing_body =Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fort Custer Recreation Area is a convert|3003|acre|km2|0|sing=on
state park located betweenBattle Creek andKalamazoo ,Michigan . The area features lakes, theKalamazoo River , over 25 miles of multi-use trails, second growth oak barrens and dry-mesic southern (oak-hickory) forests.The land was acquired in 1917 by the Federal Government and used as an induction and military training center for the US Army. Despite the history of military use that has taken place on and around the property, there was never a fort on the land. During World War II, the property was named Camp Custer. The
Michigan Department of Natural Resources acquired the land in 1971 as part of the Nixon administration'sLegacy of parks program. Today, the Fort Custer Reserve Forces Training Site of theUnited States National Guard borders the recreation area.A mountain bike trail system was established in 1996 by the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (
MMBA ).Facilities and Activities
Fort Custer is a popular destination for
hunting ,mountain biking ,camping ,horseback riding ,hiking ,fishing , and dog mushing. The park has developed a set of trails covering the majority of the area, designed for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking alike. They surround each of the lakes; Eagle, Whitford, Lawler and Jackson. The trails also connect to a camping area adjacent to Jackson Hole, with 219 lots, both grassy and paved. In the summer of 2008, adisc golf course in the Eagle Lake area was added, though still currently under construction.The Fort Custer mountain bike trails are divided into three levels of varied difficulty: blue or yellow being easy, green being intermediate, and red being difficult.
Wildlife
Here is a short list of some of the species found at Fort Custer.
References
[http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740 Bug Guide]
External links
* [http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=448&type=SPRK Fort Custer Recreation Area ]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_31399-132559--,00.html DNR History and Details of Fort Custer Recreation Area]
* [http://www.mmba.org/trails.php?trail=10 Michigan Mountain Bike Association Fort Custer Page] (MMBA )
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