A small Kalamazoo area city with strong generational ties
Located just five miles north of Kalamazoo, Parchment is a small city with historic appeal and strong generational ties. The city was once the site of the Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company, founded in 1909 and located in an old sugar beet factory. It manufactured parchment paper for baking and other home needs, giving the city its namesake. As the company expanded, families started settling in the area and the first houses were even built as employee housing. Even though the company eventually no longer operated, a lot of the community’s residents stayed put, keeping generations of families deeply rooted in Parchment. With a population of less than 2,000, the city has all of the small-town amenities you’d expect, from longtime local establishments to an active, tight-knit social community and even historic architecture. “People in Parchment like living further out of Kalamazoo, and it's a nice little town with a great ice cream shop and other mom-and-pop places,” says Brian Lewis, a greater Kalamazoo area resident and local realtor at Archer Hathway. “There are also a lot of lakes around Parchment that I think people really like.” With surrounding lakeside beauty and just a few miles away from bigger city offerings in Kalamazoo, Parchment is an appealing enclave for residents seeking small-town living in southwestern Michigan.
Shopping and dining along South Riverview Drive
Most of Parchment’s shopping and dining are located along South Riverview Drive. This hub includes a few fast-food and national chains, along with some local options with cuisines ranging from American-style eateries to authentic burrata taco spots next to a quaint ice cream and bakery establishment. The city’s popular local pizza joint and coffee shop are located on Riverview Drive, where residents can also find the city’s local Hardin’s Market for fresh grocery staples. An alternative grocery store option is the discount store on Shoppers Lane. A highlight of having Kalamazoo next door is that residents are just three miles away from the Kalamazoo Mall on North Rose Street, which was the first outdoor pedestrian mall in the United States. This colorful and well-manicured outdoor mall has rows of specialty shops, trendy restaurants and buzzy coffee spots. More everyday shopping needs can be found at Maple Hill Pavilion, six miles north of Parchment on West Main Street with convenience stores and various service shops.
The recreational center of the city at Kindleberger Park
Parchment has one city park with a multitude of other park options nearby. Considered the “Jewel of Parchment,” the 40-acre Kindleberger Park, with its sunken garden and central gazebo, features a notable outdoor stage that becomes the focal point for the community’s many annual events. Residents can also practice their swing here at one of the multiple tennis courts or watch a community Little League game at the park’s baseball field. The next closest park, which is one of the largest parks in Kalamazoo, is just under two miles away. Residents can enjoy more than three miles of paved walking paths encompassing the park’s adjacent lake, providing locals with a perfect setting for water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. Abundant in natural beauty, this 186-acre park also has tennis courts, a soccer field and a disc golf course for more sporty endeavors.
Annual community festivals and a summer concert series
As Parchment’s main central gathering point, Kindleberger Park is home to many of the city’s community events. For 40 years and counting, the Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts has been the biggest annual event at the park. Locals come out for a weekend of musical performances, local food and an extensive lineup of activities, from an arts and crafts show to a cornhole tournament and a 5K run and fitness walk. The park is also the site of the city’s Summer Concert Series, where residents can sit out on the lawn and listen to local artists and bands playing different genres, from rock to classical. Similarly, residents can head to the Parchment Community Library’s free 2nd Sundays Live! monthly concert series for additional live performances from local musicians. When looking for larger-scale acts, Parchment is just three-and-a-half miles from the historic downtown Kalamazoo State Theatre, which features a full yearly lineup of concerts, shows, and other entertainment. Next door to this, art enthusiasts can check out the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts with its permanent collection of more than 4,600 original works and rotating exhibits.
Limited housing stock and a quickly moving real estate market
Parchment’s architectural housing structure is incredibly mixed, although one-story ranches, older cape cods and small bungalows are the most typical home styles. The average home price in Parchment is $204,906, and homeowners slightly outnumber renters, with 59 percent being owner-occupied properties. An important note about the city is that there is not much available land left within the city’s boundary limits, and the area is known for having families remain in their homes generation after generation. This aspect limits housing availability for newer residents, but it is not impossible. When listed, homes stay on the market for around 22 days, lower than the national average of 42 days.
Above-average public school system and an active DECA program
Public school students are zoned for the Parchment School District, which gets a B-minus rating from Niche. The district serves 1,600 students and includes one high school, one middle school, three elementary schools, one alternative school and one early learning center. Parchment High School offers students a few notable extracurricular programs, including after-school mentoring and a prominent, competition-winning DECA program.
Convenient location for multiple traveling destinations
Parchment is served by the Kalamazoo Metro public bus system, offering one fixed route for the city. The route stops at a few locations in the community, including Parchment High School and other well-frequented spots in nearby Kalamazoo, such as the Kalamazoo Mall. Parchment sits just north of Highway 343 and Highway 131, allowing resident drivers convenient access to nearby cities and destinations further outside the greater Kalamazoo region. The closest airport is the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, located six miles south of the city and is served by American Airlines, Avelo and Delta.
Higher than average annual snowfall
Parchment’s climate consists of mostly warm summers and very cold winters. While there are no significant natural disaster risks in Parchment, the area is prone to much higher winter snowfall rates than the national average. The area is served by the Kalamazoo Township Police Department, which has an active Community Policing program to help combat crime in the area. The program consists of Community Police Offers who are assigned to every neighborhood within the district, acting as the main point of contact for neighborhood associations to help address any issues and provide community support.
I am a lifelong resident of West Michigan and have been in the business for over 20 years combining my real estate and mortgage experience. I am a wife, a mother, a Nana and a fur baby mom! I am a member of the Aspen Group of Keller Williams. I am involved in several organizations supporting my profession and am a strong believer in fair-housing. I take great pride in my work and serving my clients. I walk the talk of "Service with Purpose". I would love the opportunity to speak to your on your housing goals. Current organizations: 2024 President-Elect - Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors Michigan Realtors®, RPAC Trustee. Since 2021 2022-2024 REALTORS® Political Action Committee - Major Investor 2021-2023 Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors - Board of Directors Gun Lake Business Association - 2024 Secretary, 2023 President Women's Council of Realtors® - Southwestern, Past President SRES. ABR.
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