Construction should get started this summer or fall on the new Lakeshore Trail near Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. The trail will run between Higman Park Road and the Whirlpool campus by Monte Road.
Speaking to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this week, Community Development Director Dan Fette said tree cutting has already begun in the area of Higman Park at M-63. The project required an easement for that section of trail due to a steep hill. Fette said that meant some special engineering.
“So this easement allows the path to wind its way around in a more gentle slope, so you’re not hiking directly uphill,” Fette said.
Fette said with the winding trail, bicyclists and hikers won’t have to struggle up a steep hill. There’s already a fundraising effort underway to replace the roughly 100 trees being taken out.
Fette said the trail project’s total cost is expected to be about $3.3 million, almost all grant funded.
“The county has received a TAP grant, Transportation Alternative Program grant, for $2.1 million. We received a $300,000 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, another $100,000 grant from the Michigan Trails Foundation, a 501c3. The USDA also granted an additional $92,000 directly to the project, and that’s being used by Cornerstone to do the design engineering on this.”
Fette said another $690,000 has been raised through donations that are still coming in, some of which will support the tree plantings. In fact, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is now matching funds raised, up to $75,000.
The county is waiting on two MDOT permits to begin actual trail construction, and once those are approved, bids can be sought. Then, construction.
Fette noted this trail will be open to everyone, so you don’t have to be a golfer or a Whirlpool employee to use it. Eventually, the goal is to extend the Lakeshore Trail on into Van Buren County.