The Forest Manager of Kellogg Forest, a Michigan State University Property in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, has taken it upon himself to prohibit the use of the main entrance to this public land. He has gated and locked the main entrance and access to paved parking areas, bathrooms, the pavilion, the trout pond and picnic areas. In addition, he has boarded and locked the covered bridge, a Kalamazoo icon and perhaps the most photographed scenic spot in our community. He has even gone so far as to remove the North Country Trail plaque on the bridge which is a trailhead for the Lemmien Loop, the Tree Identification Trail and provides access to the North Country Trail. The Forest Manager has gated, locked and fenced not only the area inside of the main entrance but also several acres of land which once provided access for horseback riders and picnic goers. To add further insult, he has closed off access to the bronze marker honoring Walt and Virginia Lemmien, who gave 41 years of service to the Kellogg Forest. The Lemmien Loop Trail, named for these great leaders in Forestry, has had its trail head closed off and locked. Anyone who might venture onto the property to catch a glimpse of the marker, or to take a picture of the bridge is threatened with trespassing charges and arrest. The Forest Manager has gated, fenced and locked a large tract of land within the forest, seemingly claiming it as his own as he has posted a “Private Residence” sign on the Forest Manager’s house which lies within this enclosure. Gates, fences, locks, boardings, signs and threats of arrest make it clear that the Forest Manager has the “YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE” mat out for visitors. Perhaps the most egregious aspect of closing the Forest is that it discourages anyone from passing through this magnificent area and that it completely denies access to anyone with a disability or mobility issue that limits their ability to walk through rough terrain. The entire entrance to the Forest, with its paved parking areas, pavilion, bathrooms, graded trails, trout pond, covered bridge, trailheads, picnic areas and more was clearly designed for public usage and to be accessible to all. That is now  completely closed to the public, having become part of the Forest Manager’s “Private Residence.” This petition, to be presented to the governing body of Michigan State University, is to compel them to overturn the Kellogg Forest Manager’s decision to deny access to the property by reopening the main entrance, restoring the covered bridge to its former state, unlocking the bathrooms and tearing down the newly installed fences north of the picnic areas. If you believe that Kellogg Forest should be reopened and made accessible to all as it has been for decades, please sign this petition. REOPEN KELLOGG FOREST!