ABOUT
City of Parchment
Mr. Kindleberger and a committee of citizens worked out a plan for a model village. In 1930 the population in the mill area had grown to 511 residents. That year an election was held and the Village of Parchment was carved out of the northern part of Kalamazoo Township.
Under the guidance of Jacob Kindleberger, the mill, and the Village Commission, great progress was made. New streets were built, sewer pipes layed, signals installed and a business district formed. Taxes were low as the mill still bore the greatest part of the expenses for municipal services such as police, fire, streets, water, sewer, and park maintenance. When the mill was idled by adverse economic conditions such as the depression of the 1930s, Mr. Kindleberger would put the employees to work on town improvements ensuring that everyone earned enough to feed their families.
By a vote of 183 “yes” to 1 “no” the citizens of the Village of Parchment voted to become a 5th class city in 1939.
The City of Parchment has a population of 1,919 people based on the 2020 Census.
Kindleberger Park
The City of Parchment is home to beautiful Kindleberger Park. The park was donated to the City by the Jacob Kindleberger family for the enjoyment of our citizens. The park is approximately forty acres and is located at the intersection of Park and Maple Streets.
It offers a four-diamond Little League complex, two softball diamonds, two new playgrounds, five covered picnic pavilions, tennis courts, paved walking paths and a beautiful sunken formal garden complete with a gazebo. The garden is used for many weddings during the summer and can be reserved by calling City Hall at (269) 349-3785 or email us. The Kindleberger Stage and park Pavilions can also be reserved for events by calling City Hall.
Download a Reservation Form
Kindleberger Summer Concert Series
The Kalamazoo River
The City of Parchment is a riverfront community bordering the Kalamazoo River for approximately 1.4 miles. The river is a valuable asset providing recreational opportunities, natural beauty and wildlife habitat. Considering this, the City of Parchment is active in working to preserve and protect the Kalamazoo River.
