Ott Biological Preserve — Attraction in Emmett Charter Township

Wonderful place! A small pocket of natural peace and nature deposited on the south eastern outskirts of Battle Creek. The Ott preserve is a part of two distinct, intertwining Trailways, the Calhoun County Trailway which is about ten miles long, and the North Country Trail, the longest footpath in the country at about 5,000 odd miles from Vermont to North Dakota.

The Calhoun County section is a well maintained length of crushed gravel trail, totaling about 2 miles one way within the park itself. This is excellent for both handicalable people and casual visits, as both ends are connected to parking lots. Along the way the trail bends and curves around Brigham lake and lovely marshland, and like the rest of the trail, has extensive boardwalks that traverse dells and small valleyes along the way. If one take this trail further south you'll eventually happen upon historic bridge park; northward will take you into eastern battle creek and the linear trail.

Note: there is very little seating on the trail, only a bench at the halfway point at the time of writing this. There are no bathrooms anywhere in the park.

The North Country Trail segment also collextively includes smaller spurs and interconnecting segments of the NCT. These segments, like most of the NCT is nothing more than a rudimentary dirt path that goes through comparatively more rugged, unkempt terrain than the Calhoun County Segment. These trails are far more challenging and unsuitable for anything other than hiking as there are roots and washouts. Despite this, like all of the NCT, you will find it explores relatively untouched bits of nature and will be less traveled, more scenic and more remote. This part would be good for those who want to get into hiking but have not the means or experience of what it is like.

Note: as this trail is rudimentary and cuts through lowlands, it may be very muddy and you're best pair of shoes might not be desirable...

A good place to go in Battle Creek for a bit of wilderness. The new road/trail built last summer is paved with sand and fine gravel. There's still some muddy spots. Bikes and wheelchair accessible, but I wouldn't try rollerblades or skateboards. For all the work put into it, and all the trees cut down, it would have made more sense to pave it with asphalt. And it's too wide, could have been half the width and saved a lot of trees. It also goes around the perimeter of the park, still in view of houses and a trailer park, at least in winter. The best sights are on the old trails, which only accessible by foot or mountain bike. There's a beaver dam and lodge on one of the lakes. Wear good boots or hiking shoes and bring...

This is a nice place to escape the city life if you feel stuck in battle creek. Beautiful walking trails and nature all around you. All kinds of animals out in the woods and swampy areas that hold a lot of birds. We love bringing our kids here and the kids love it so much also. It's a great place to teach kids about nature. We explain the different types of trees, plants and animals. As a family we always enjoy our walks here! To whoever does the up keep and takes care of the place thank you so much for...