If you’re in Kalamazoo and looking for a patch of woods with intersecting trails, a variety of terrain, and stunning views, look no further than the Al Sabo Land Preserve. Since moving here, we’ve spent lots of time hiking, exploring, and stumbling across the occasional Massasauga Rattler. I just wrapped up a 4 mile hike on this fine evening, and was excited to see that they’re making some progress on expanding this already massive trail system by 212 acres, thanks to the acquisition of an adjacent Boy Scout camp.

The above sign has been there forever. In the past, some hikers have transcended the warning and kept going, only to be shooed away by someone looking to earn their “shoo away” badge. Upon today’s hike, new signage and fencing has been erected, which is promising.

It should be noted that much of our local drinking water is pumped and treated within the bounds of the preserve, thus the intention of keeping it, well, preserved.