Playground, Pump Track, & Kayak Launch Coming Soon to Verburg Park

Published on May 21, 2026

Construction is now underway on a major improvement project at Verburg Park (669 Gull Rd) that will bring several new recreational amenities to the community, including a bicycle pump track, playground, pavilion, and kayak launch.

While portions of the park will be temporarily closed during construction, the section of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail that runs through the park will remain open. The parking lot off Paterson Street will also stay open, and the boat launch will continue to be available.

Initial work will include construction of the new playground and installation of concrete for the pavilion and pathways leading to the pump track and kayak launch. The pump track, kayak launch, and pavilion will be installed later this summer.

The bicycle pump track will be the first facility of its kind in Kalamazoo. The track features a looping circuit of paved rollers (bumps) and banked turns (berms) designed to be ridden without pedaling. Riders build momentum using a “pumping” motion with their upper and lower body, creating an accessible and high-energy experience for riders of all ages and abilities.

The new kayak launch, designed similarly to a dock, will provide easier access to the park’s lagoon area for residents and visitors. It will be installed near the existing kayak rental kiosk, where kayaks can currently be rented through a self-service mobile checkout system.

The $480,000 project is funded through the City of Kalamazoo’s Capital Improvement Program and was identified as a priority park for improvements in the Kzoo Parks Master Plan.