Positioned in the heart of Michigan’s Great Southwest, Berrien County has been an important and active hub for trade, travel, and tourism since even before it was officially founded in 1829. It is made up of 585 square miles of lush, scenic beauty, and forty-two miles of glistening shoreline, presenting many attractions for visitors and locals alike.
Unbeknownst to many, Berrien County contains a network of multi-use paths, water trails, and hiking trails that connect the cities, townships, and villages to one another. The Friends of Berrien County Trails organization now exists to increase awareness, promote, and develop these areas, in hopes that communities and their members will each benefit greatly.
The Friends of Berrien County Trails is a citizen-based, non-profit group that was established in early 2020. Transitioning from the Friends of Harbor Country Trails, which existed for many years, this new organization was created to include the entirety of Berrien County, extending the reach of their mission and purpose across Southwest Michigan.
“The Friends of Berrien County Trails has identified a bold vision for a future in which walking, paddling, and bicycling and other trail opportunities are easily accessible throughout Berrien County for people of all ages and abilities,” the Friends of the Trails state.
Their goal, to identify and develop trails across our area, will help to connect communities, support economic development, and improve the health and wellness of community members.
“Ongoing and genuine community engagement is one of the core values of this project,” says Gary Wood, President of Friends of Berrien County Trails.
To be successful in their goals, ‘The Friends’ are developing a county-wide Trails Master Plan, in partnership with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, Be Healthy Berrien, and Abonmarche Consultants, to map out the needs and requirements for the growth of this project. This Master Plan serves as a blueprint, and step one begins with an online survey aimed towards community members, that focuses on current awareness of trails and pathways, accessibility, frequency of trail use, and asks for opinions pertaining to recreational activities.
Love Creek Nature Center winter trails
“We want trails in Berrien County to become one of the top reasons residents and visitors love the SWMI region. Our vision is to develop trails that enhance people’s quality of life and strengthen the social, economic, and environmental well-being of our region,” says Dawn Marie Smith, of Be Healthy Berrien.
The trail facilities to be addressed in this plan will include shared use paths, paved shoulders and bike lanes, US/County/Local bike routes, water trails, parks with hiking trails, mountain biking trails, cross country skiing trails and equestrian trails. For more information on how you can get involved, and what the Friends of Berrien County Trails does for our communities, please visit berrientrails.org.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor
