The City of Kalamazoo's Proposed Budget for 2019 is now available online here. The City Commission will hold a Work Session on Monday, December 10 at City Hall to review the proposal. 

Budgets from previous years are available at www.kalamazoocity.org/budgets. 

Leaf collection for residents of the City of Kalamazoo is currently running behind schedule as City staff have been reassigned to assist with snow removal for the second winter storm this November.

Snow removal crews have been instructed to plow around leaf piles whenever possible while maintaining safe operations and clear streets. Following the snow event, staff will return their focus to leaf collection. A map showing leaf collection areas, the original schedule, and program updates can be found at www.kalamazoocity.org/leaves.

“We know that delays with leaf collection can be frustrating. We are committed to continuing the program through December as conditions allow,” said James Baker, the City of Kalamazoo’s Public Services Director. “We have our staff working extended hours and are considering other options to get the program caught up.

When possible, residents are encouraged to place their leaves out in accordance with the original schedule to ensure that no pickups are missed as crews get caught up.

The City’s leaf collection program is typically scheduled from late October through mid-December to allow time for leaves to fall and be collected before winter weather sets in. The program is heavily dependent on the weather- early winter storms make leaves more difficult and time consuming to collect and require staff to be reassigned to assist with snow removal.

“Early winter storms like we have seen this year make leaf collection challenging,” explained Director Baker. “We appreciate your patience as our staff work to get caught up.”

More information about leaf collection is available at www.kalamazoocity.org/leaves and more information about snow removal is available at www.kalamazoocity.org/snow.

Community members are invited to review and provide feedback on the draft version of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which is now available online at www.kzooparks.org and www.kalamazoocity.org. Printed copies are also available at the Edison Neighborhood Association (816 Washington Avenue), Kalamazoo City Hall (241 W South Street), the Parks & Recreation Office (251 Mills Street), and at the Kalamazoo Public Library (315 Rose St).

Community members are encouraged to review the plan and provide and feedback or comments they may have. Feedback will be accepted through Wednesday, December 19.

Kzoo Parks, the Parks & Recreation Department of the City of Kalamazoo, has been gathering community input for this plan over the past six months. Four public input meetings were convened in parks throughout the city, and Kzoo Parks staff were available at community events to discuss ideas, plans, and projects to be incorporated into the plan.

“Our parks and recreation programs have such a huge impact on our city and we know that it’s important that our plans reflect what our community wants,” said Parks & Recreation Director Sean Fletcher. “Our hope is that by listening and working with community members, this Parks & Recreation Plan will help achieve the broader goals of Imagine Kalamazoo 2025.”

Comments may be submitted online, via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by calling the Kzoo Parks office at (269) 337-8191. The plan is expected to be presented to the City Commission for approval in early 2019.

About the Parks & Recreation Master Plan

The Parks & Recreation Master Plan will guide park improvement projects and recreation programming over the next 5-10 years. It also identifies land that should be considered for future parks as well as current park space that is unused or not needed.

The process was last completed in 2013 and included improvements to Woods Lake Park, Hays Park, and several extensions of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, which have since been completed. The 2013 plan also examined recreation programs and led to the expansion of successful programs and changes to programs that weren’t thriving. The 2013 plan is available in the Parks & Recreation Office located at 251 Mills Street.

Parks & Recreation Departments are required to update their plans every five years to be eligible to apply for grants from the Department of Natural Resources. Plans are required to meet specific guidelines including the entire inventory of parks, amenities, and programs.