This pivotal project serves as a crucial link, connecting various key points in the region and fostering accessibility to recreational and natural amenities.
The trail seamlessly integrates with the existing Ox Creek trail at Main Street, creating a continuous pathway leading to the Harbor Shores Golf Course and development. Further extending its reach, the Ox Creek Trail links to an expansive network of 10 miles of public trails and ultimately converges at Lake Michigan, culminating at Jean Klock Park.
Ox Creek, cutting through the historically underserved Benton Harbor City and Township, provides a unique corridor opportunity. The combined ownership of over 80 acres by the City and schools along this route lays the foundation for a revitalized Ox Creek corridor.
Spearheading this transformation is the Ox Creek Trail, a flagship initiative of the Ox Creek Revitalization Effort initiated in 2021. Envisioned by the City and Township, this endeavor aspires to cultivate a dynamic Ox Creek corridor, featuring a well-lit walking and biking path, outdoor classrooms, and opportunities for new commercial and housing development.
The Ox Creek Trail strategically connects significant destinations along Ox Creek, including Hall Park (the city's largest park), its vibrant Art District, a school, multiple neighborhoods, churches, and the expansive retail hub at the I-94/Pipestone/Napier interchanges—the largest in northern Berrien County.
More than just a recreational pathway, the Ox Creek Trail is poised to become a catalyst for economic and housing development. Its impact extends beyond the Ox Creek valley, catalyzing growth throughout the city and Township. By fostering increased investment and contributing to essential tax base growth, this trail project promises to be a driving force for positive change and community development.
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