The Friends of Berrien County Trails is welcoming the start of construction on the new Lakeshore Trail this week after years of work to make the project happen.
The Lakeshore Trail will run along the side of M-63 from the Harbor Shores Trails on Higman Park Road to the Monte Road trailhead of the Lakeview Mountain Bike Trail. It’s intended to connect trail systems in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph to points north. Friends of Berrien County Trails Vice President Mike Garey tells us this will be a great amenity for the entire community.
“This trail will be available for families, bicyclists, all the way from folks in Harbor Shores, going north along Higman Park,” Garey said. “It really connects a lot of different communities for a great family venue.”
Garey says it took a lot of collaboration to make the Lakeshore Trail happen, with participation from the Berrien County Road Department, MDOT, Benton Township, Harbor Shores, and more. So, why does he think trails have become so popular in recent years?
“I think it’s this idea of outdoor activity. Safe bicycling, walking, engaging. And you don’t have to be an athlete. You don’t have to be a skilled person. You can just go out and grab a bike and take a ride or take a walk and multi-generations can do it.”
Garey gives particular credit for the Lakeshore Trail to Abonmarche, which he says took care of the engineering and planning. He says he couldn’t thank them enough for doing the heavy lifting.
Construction of the new trail is expected to be finished by the end of the year, with nature restoration completed before the expected official opening next spring.