The Berrien County Road Department, Chikaming Township and New Buffalo Township continue to make progress on the Red Arrow Highway Linear Park! On May 28, 2021, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held in Union Pier to celebrate the first section of the trail. The lane reduction of Red Arrow Highway from four to three lanes created room for a streetscape and linear path in Union Pier. Pedestrian safety is greatly improved for those visiting this bustling little town for shopping, eating and heading to the beach.
The Friends of Berrien County Trails board members, Gary Wood and John Chipman, were instrumental in setting the vision for
this project. The Friends of Berrien County Trails will support efforts to continue the linear park pathway to the south to New Buffalo (connect to the Marquette Greenway) and to the north to Bridgman and beyond.
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission secured an USDA Rural Business Development Grant for Berrien County to fund the engineering of the linear park path from US12 to just south of Bridgman (excluding the 1.3 mile Union Pier and 1.5 mile section from Lakshore Drive to Harbert Community Park which was already built). In late 2022, CMAQ funds were approved for paving the trail from Harbert Community Park to Sawyer Road and this was completed as of September 2023.
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission helped Berrien County secure an MDOT TAP grant and New Buffalo Township secure a Pokagon Fund grant to extend the shared use path from Union Pier (at Community Hall Road) to the light at US12. This section will be completed in 2024. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission has secured a grant for Berrien County Road Department to complete the section of trail from Berrien Street (Union Pier) to Lakeshore Drive. In addition, local partners are working with the MDNR to extend the trail through Warren Dunes State Park to Floral Lane and on to Bridgman.
The ultimate goal is to connect all the way up the lakeshore to the Kal-Haven Trail at the Van Buren State Park in South Haven. See efforts on the Lakeshore Trail.