The Berrien County Trails Master Plan is a novel vision of what nonmotorized transportation can look like in Berrien County. This comprehensive plan championed by the Friends of Berrien County Trails encompasses various trail facilities, including Shared Use Paths, Paved Shoulders/Bike Lanes, Sharrows, US Bike Routes, Water (paddling) Trails, and Parks featuring Hiking Trails, Mountain Biking Trails, Cross Country Skiing Trails, and Equestrian Trails. . The plan is designed to assist municipalities and trail organizations in their efforts to seek and secure resources and funding, thereby advancing the realization of a well-connected trail system throughout the county.
Not only is the Berrien County Master Plan an incredible accomplishment in its own right, but it also showcases an incredible effort in coordination. In completing the plan there was a 100% participation rate among municipalities within Berrien County.
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission helped with mapping, leadership, and coordination. Marcy Hamilton, Senior Planner with the SWMPC, was part of the leadership team and steering committee and Kim Gallagher, Senior Planner with the SWMPC, was also a member of the steering committee.
You can find the full plan here.
Past
Quick Facts:
The plan had strong public engagement!
- There were over 2,000 responses to the on-line survey.
- Four open houses were held around the county with 100 participants.
- 100% participation from each Berrien County municipality on the municipal survey.
- Learn more about the Trails Master Plan.
Cost/Funding:
This project received funding from 22 municipalities, the County and four foundations!
- Berrien County
- City of Bridgman
- City of Buchanan
- City of Coloma
- City of New Buffalo
- City of St. Joseph
- Bertrand Township
- Chikaming Township
- Coloma Charter Township
- Hagar Township
- Lake Charter Township
- Lincoln Township
- New Buffalo Township
- Niles Charter Township
- Oronoko Charter Township
- Royalton Township
- St. Joseph Charter Township
- Three Oaks Township
- Watervliet Charter Township
- Village of Berrien Springs
- Village of Grand Beach
- Village of Stevensville
- Village of Three Oaks
- Bernadette Janda McKittrick Endowment Fund at the Berrien Community Foundation
- Corewell Heath South, Southwest Michigan Foundation
- The Pokagon Fund
- Whirlpool Foundation
Stakeholders
- Friends of Berrien County Trails
- Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
- Be Healthy Berrien
- Abonmarche Consultants
- Andrews University
- Berrien County Board of Commissioners
- Berrien County Road Department
- Bike Michiana Coalition
- Chikaming Open Lands
- Chikaming Township
- City of Benton Harbor
- Harbor Country Hikers
- IN MI River Valley Trail
- Lake Michigan College
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Michigan Department of Transportation
- Pachyderm Pedalers
- Corewell Health
- Whirlpool
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