COMMUNITY PROFILES / ALLEGAN COUNTY
County Offices
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan 269-673-0205
http://cms.allegancounty.org
Chamber of Commerce
134 Brady Street
Allegan 269-673-2479
https://alleganchamber.com/
Services
Newcomers to Allegan County can look forward to all the pleasures and comfort of a more suburban and rural lifestyle without sacrificing state-of-the-art health care and excellent opportunities for education on all levels. Allegan General Hospital anchors the local health-care network with an ever-expanding array of specialties, services, and facilities. Recent additions include an $8.5 million project that enhances access to outpatient services. Specialties include allergy and asthma, cardiopulmonary, occupational health, oncology, prenatal and obstetrical.
Education is a lifelong activity in Allegan County, where excellent public and private schools from preschool through kindergarten combine with vocational and training programs. Adult students of all ages can choose from higher education opportunities in a wide variety of colleges and universities within 45 minutes from home. Some advantages are exclusive to this beautiful rural area, such as the summer school operated by the Chicago Institute of Art in Saugatuck.
Lifestyle
Scenic countryside, welcoming small towns, and easy access to first-rate metropolitan amenities characterize the region of Allegan County. Many of the area’s small cities and sprawling townships are experiencing rapid residential development, taking advantage of the availability of lush, wooded land and rural beauty. Recreational opportunities are first-rate and diverse, from local lakes, parks, golf courses, and community facilities to regional preserves that encourage hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and camping. Lake Michigan and world-class water sports are available within a reasonable drive from all points in the county.
Support for the arts is active in close-knit communities within Allegan County, although metropolitan Grand Rapids fills the year’s calendar with outstanding events and performances. Most of the towns have developed wonderful festivals and celebrations that mark the passage of the seasons or special holidays. Some have historic value or focus on antiques, while others showcase musical or artistic talent. Throughout Allegan County, an impressive selection of attractive homes, well-respected schools, and a warm community spirit combine to offer an exceptional quality of life.
Allegan City, Allegan Township
Allegan City Offices
269-673-5511
https://www.cityofallegan.org/
Allegan Township Office
269-673-5051
https://www.allegantownship.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-673-2479
https://alleganchamber.com/
All the pleasures of small-town living are available in the Allegan area, where a number of small lakes offer public boat ramps and excellent fishing and canoeing. In spite of the country atmosphere and outstanding recreational amenities, the area is well served by the major healthcare facility of Allegan General Hospital and a respected school district covering 157 square miles. Shops and antique centers are available locally, although regional malls are easily accessible. Colorful festivities like the Allegan County Fair, the 4th of July celebration, and Allegan Bridgefest fill the calendar. Four-season recreational opportunities include 200 miles of snowmobile, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, hiking and biking trails.
Dorr Township
Township Office
616-681-9874
https://www.dorrtownship.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-673-2479
https://alleganchamber.com/
The naturally beautiful expanse of Dorr Township is a popular choice for residential development and handsome new subdivisions with idyllic names like Hidden Forest Estates. Served by the Wayland public school system, the township is characterized as a family-oriented rural haven just minutes from the urban amenities of Grand Rapids. Local shopping adds to the convenience of life in Dorr, which offers quick and easy access to U.S. 131 for commuters to metropolitan destinations. Dorr is known for generous parcels of wooded land that offer a lush, tranquil, and private backdrop for lovely new homes. Newcomers are drawn to this area for the intimate community atmosphere and the exceptional quality of life.
Otsego, Otsego Township, GunPlain Township
Otsego City Hall
269-692-3391
https://www.cityofotsego.org/
Otsego Township Office
269-694-9434
www.otsegotownship.org
GunPlain Township Office
269-685-9471
www.gunplain.org
Chamber of Commerce
269-673-2479
https://alleganchamber.com/
Anchored by the small City of Otsego, this rural area offers an abundance of housing opportunities from older homes shaded by large trees to new construction. Responding to growth, Otsego has improved the central district with additional services and features such as underground utility lines and attractive street lamps. The local chamber of commerce plays an active role in community life, coordinating town festivals and serving as a communications link between residents and local businesses. The Otsego public school system enjoys an excellent reputation, and the town maintains its own library and youth center at the community center and Scout House. Local private schools are available, and a number of colleges and universities are available within a 45-minute drive from home.
Plainwell City
City Offices
269-685-6821
www.plainwell.org
Chamber of Commerce
269-673-2479
https://alleganchamber.com/
Known as “The Island City,” Plainwell is ideally located between the larger metropolitan areas of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo at the intersection of U.S. 131 and M-89. Plainwell Paper Company and Murco are major local employers, although the small town enjoys the benefit of an active downtown district with unique shops and fine restaurants. An old concrete cupola graces the central intersection of the downtown area, where fresh flowers invite residents to enjoy the city park that borders the Kalamazoo River. Flowers are a hallmark of Plainwell, where volunteers keep the city in bloom from spring to autumn. Excellent schools, a strategic location, a family-oriented atmosphere, and a cooperative community spirit make the city and surrounding townships an ideal place to call home.
Saugatuck City, Saugatuck Township, Laketown Township
Saugatuck City Offices
269-857-2603
https://www.saugatuckcity.com/
Saugatuck Township
269-857-7721
http://saugatucktownship.org/
Laketown Township
616-335-3050
https://www.laketowntwp.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-857-1701
https://www.saugatuck.com/
Endowed with both natural and man-made beauty, the charming resort town of Saugatuck is recognized as one of the state’s most picturesque and inviting communities. Because Saugatuck never saw the proliferation of railroads and late 19th-century commerce that many cities experienced, it retains a quaint pre-industrial ambiance reminiscent of a New England village. The elegant and whimsical gingerbread trim of Victorian architecture combines with charming paths leading to hidden boutiques and patios. The local gardens and parks are so beautiful and inspiring, the Chicago Institute of Art operates a summer school in Saugatuck. The city not only serves as a hub for the surrounding townships, it boasts a brisk tourist business. Riverside beaches, sports facilities, and parks are available for recreation.
Wayland City, Wayland Township
Wayland City Offices
269-792-2265
www.cityofwayland.org
Wayland Township
269-792-6394
http://waytwp.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-792-9246
https://www.waylandchamber.org/
Located off U.S. 131, the City of Wayland is a growing community in the northeastern corner of Allegan County just 30 minutes from Grand Rapids and 40 minutes from Kalamazoo. The recreational mecca of Lake Michigan is 45 minutes to the west. From its roots as a farming and lumber community, Wayland has emerged as a suburban haven that offers a comfortable Midwestern atmosphere in close proximity to the urban resources of Grand Rapids. The “Class A” public school system, private school options, new industrial growth, and thriving businesses create a balanced community positioned for quality expansion. Planners in the parks and recreation department are keeping pace by developing additional sites for sports and relaxation.
