Ketchum Park is operated by the City of Marshall, Michigan. The park includes playgrounds, skate park, disc golf, 2 restrooms, waterfront, and fishing.
This website is maintained by KPAC. A volunteer committee dedicated to maintaining and improving Ketchum Park.
Historic Ketchum Park is divided by the Rice Creek old Mill Raceway. The north and south parks are connected by the scenic Rotary Footbridge for a total of 25 acres with 2.5 miles of waterfront.
The south park is accessed from South Marshall Avenue to Montgomery Street and is the location of Kids Kingdom. Parking is available along Montgomery Street. New family restrooms were added in 2015. There is a large pavilion, and picnic tables in several locations along the Rice Creek trail. Pavilion use is by first come first serve, no reservations needed.
The north park is accessed from the corner of Gordon & Hanover. The north park is an island surrounded by Rice Creek and the Raceway. Follow along the raceway with a .62 mile trail to where the creek splits. There is a newly paved parking lot, a playground, pavilion, the Marshall Skate Park and Disc Golf course.
Rice Creek is a headwater tributary of the Kalamazoo River. This cold water stream and is a MIDNR designated Type 4 trout stream. Rice Creek has recently been reconnected to its natural wetlands following a dam removal and has no obstructions.
Ketchum Park has the Ketchum Park Advisory Committee (KPAC) authorized by the Marshall Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Board of Directors in May 2014. This committee encourages participation from all persons interested in Ketchum Park.
KPAC meets on the 4th TUESDAY of the month at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at the Marshall Public Services Building, 900 S. Marshall Avenue, Marshall, MI 49068
This committee develops an plans to improve the park from all interested parties and schedules Park Stewardship dates to clean and improve the park.
Ketchum Park Advisory Committee Proposal
This is the proposal to the Marshall Parks and Recreation Board of Directors on April 27, 2014, written and presented by Cheryl Vosburg with Greg Potter and Mitch Robbins.
The new committee will design and implement improvements to and future maintenance of Ketchum Park. This committee will be comprised of volunteers who have an interest in Ketchum Park and also have specific skills and knowledge to support the goals of the committee.
Cheryl Vosburg, City of Marshall-Environmental Program Coordinator will act as staff liaison. The Committee will act under the guidance of the Marshall Parks and Recreation Board of Directors.
This committee will initially meet monthly, on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Beginning June 12, 2014 at 900 S. Marshall Avenue in the Marshall Public Services Building.
The committee will begin by developing a comprehensive park management plan based on sound conservation, preservation and community need as specified by the Marshall Parks & Recreation Master Plan. The management plan will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Board for approval.
The committee will organize volunteers as needed to implement projects that are designed and prioritized in the management plan such as invasive species removal, riparian buffer improvements, forestry management, wildlife habitat improvements, native landscaping, trail creation and maintenance.
The committee will seek grant funds as needed.
Creating a Master Plan for Ketchum Park. Ketchum Park maintenance and improvements to enhance recreational use and public access. Beautification, water and habitat improvements, sustainability.
