|
Brilliant pink and white Dogwood trees awaken in May to their springtime dance throughout our serene countryside. Savoring nature's beautiful work in progress, day-visitors often tour The Grand Old City's Riverside Cemetery and parks, where hundreds of Dogwoods and perennials are beautifully maintained.  Dowagiac
is also the home of Rudolphi Woods,
enjoyed year-round for hiking, running and cross-country skiing. Located
off Dailey Road, 325 aces of high-quality open space abound, featuring
more than eight miles of nature trails. Wild flowers are abundant within the Claspy Estate section that is owned by Southwestern Michigan College, and within 120 acres adjacent to Riverside Cemetery and the Dowagiac Creek.  In spring, nature lovers trek to Dowagiac Woods, known statewide for its spectacular display of wild flowers. The Michigan nature Association calls it the largest woodland of virgin soil in Michigan. Never plowed, planted or grazed, it retains its original natural diversity, as it illustrates how forests looked when the first settlers arrived.  A
variety of plants and trees, some marked by signs, can be seen along
the 1.5-mile main trail. The preserve is home to 45 varieties of trees
and 49 species of nesting birds. Members of the Michigan Nature Association
have logged more than 400 different plants in the woods. Dowagiac Woods is open year-round, free of charge. To get there from Dowagiac, take M-62 West to Sink Road. Turn south and travel one mile to Frost Road. Turn east and drive one mile to the preserve. For the active sportsman, while the city is a primary provider of recreational services, the Dowagiac Union School District and Southwestern Michigan College also play important roles. School district facilities are of major significance for softball, soccer and tennis enthusiasts. Neighborhood schools provide additional recreational sites, as volunteers organize baseball, softball, soccer and football programs for youths, ages five to 18 years old. The 10-acre Rotary Park, located off Riverside Drive, is the focal point of most organized sports and active recreation. It provides regulation baseball and softball fields, skateboard ramps, restroom facilities, and a shaded picnic and playground area. Rotary Park also serves as the starting point for the eight miles of cross-country walking and skiing trails, which are contained in the Rudolphi Woods and Rudolphi Wildlife Refuge. More than 400 youngsters enjoy soccer at the 5.5-acre Northwest Park, located off Paul Street across from Dowagiac Union High School. The park also provides a softball field, which is used by Dowagiac Girls Softball Association and adult men's softball. Neighborhood sites include Water Tower, Optimist and Walter Ward parks. Water Tower Park of five acres provides a softball field, basketball and horseshoe courts, playground, and pavilion complete with grills and picnic tables. Optimist Park of four acres, adjacent to the Dowagiac Creek off South Front Street, provides playground equipment, basketball courts, and enclosed pavilion with tables and grills. The three-acre Walter Ward Park offers basketball courts, a softball field, playground and picnic shelter.  Winter
enthusiasts enjoy snowmobiling,
where some of the best trails are located to the west of Dowagiac,
traveling from Niles north to neighboring Indian and Sister lakes,
and Glenwood. To print out an order form that you can mail in to obtain
a map of snowmobile trails priced at $1 each, CLICK
HERE.Families also enjoy the serenity of Cass County Parks, which offer scenic views, picnic and play areas, hiking and cross-country ski trails. Areas are designated for snowmobiling, controlled bow hunting, ice fishing, sledding, soccer and softball. Arthur Dodd Memorial Park on Creek Road is eight miles southwest of Dowagiac. The 51-acre site, which runs along the west bank of the Dowagiac Creek, has long been a destination for the water enthusiast. Dodd Park features two children's play equipment areas, two picnic shelters, fishing on a Class-A trout stream, two horseshoe pits, one-mile hiking trail, volleyball court, open games area and canoe landing. Eight miles from Dowagiac along Marcellus Highway is the 10-acre Fred Russ Forest Park, situated within the 580-acre Newton Woods or Russ Forest. With its rich history and natural beauty, it is one of the most visited parks in Cass County. Russ Forest is also the home of the largest tulip popular tree in Michigan. Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park is nine miles east of neighboring Cassopolis on Monkey Run Street. This beautiful 720-acre site is a favorite among nature lovers who enjoy wide trails, and outstanding plant and animal life. It is one of the most popular locations for bikers and hikers in southwest Michigan. The park provides 10 miles of mountain biking trails, seven miles of leisure biking trails, seven miles of hiking trails and seven miles of groomed cross-country trails. Other features include an 18-hole disc (Frisbee) golf course, volleyball court, open games field, two picnic shelters, two ball fields and a soccer field. For further information on Cass County Parks, call the parks department at (269) 445-8611. |
