Directions & Transportation

The Arboretum is located on M43 (West Main Street), about 5.5 miles away from Kalamazoo College. From the College’s campus, head west along West Main Street, away from downtown, for about 4.5 miles. You will pass the bridge over 131, and Meijer. West Main Street will become M43. Once you’ve passed Meijer, the parking lot to the Arb is located about a mile away, on the left hand side of the road, just after a white farmhouse.

If you have a smartphone or want directions to the Arboretum through Google Maps, type in “Lillian Anderson Arboretum” and you will find accurate directions!

Google Maps showing the location of the Lillian Anderson Arboretum, located near 7787 West Main Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Traveling by Bus

K Metro has a bus stop at the Oshtemo Public Library! The Route 14: West Main route will stop at the Oshtemo Public Library Mondays through Fridays, every hour between 9:40am – 5:40pm.

K Metro Route 14: West Main – Schedule

Once you have arrived at the Oshtemo Public Library, you can access the Oshtemo Township Park trails that connect to the Lillian Anderson Arboretum!

Traveling by Bicycle

The shortest route to the Arb from Kalamazoo College is along West Main Street (M43); however, some sections of West Main Street have sidewalks and some do not. If you choose to bike to the Arb, please be careful!

For a longer but nicer alternative:
Follow West Michigan Ave through the Western Michigan University campus (the road stops for a couple of blocks and then starts again on the other side of Western). West Michigan Ave will eventually turn into KL Avenue. Stay on KL until 4th St.
Turn right on 4th and keep going north until you reach Almena.
Turn right on Almena and continue to W Main.
Turn right on West Main – stay on the shoulder and go maybe a mile until you reach the turn off for the Arboretum – a narrow, paved road leading up to the right.
This is 2-3 miles out of your way, but a nice ride. It takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes for an average rider.

Going back you can turn right on West Main and stay on the shoulder until 8th St.
Turn right (South) on 8th street and continue to KL Ave.
Turn left (East) on KL and continue back to the College.
This route is much shorter (30 – 45 minutes) but still avoids the bad part of West Main.

Note: Bikes are not permitted on the Arboretum trails.