Another section of the Niles-Buchanan Trail Connection Project will be completed starting next year thanks to the United Way of Southwest Michigan and Be Healthy Berrien.
The project is a 4.2-mile trail connecting Buchanan and Niles, and it’s been in the works for several years. Be Healthy Berrien’s Dawn Marie Smith tells us the United Way has secured $750,000 in federal funding with help from Congressman Tim Walberg for the project on Be Healthy Berrien’s Behalf.
“This trail will be connecting the cities of Niles and Buchanan, and essentially, there are numerous collaboration groups like government, as well as non-profit organizations and advocates that are working government towards the completion of this trail,” Smith said.
Smith says the development of trails is part of Be Healthy Berrien’s mission.
“It brings in safe alternative transportation. It gives you recreation opportunities, also social cohesion and health improvement.”
Smith says the 4.2 mile expansion project will extend the trail system from a McCoy’s Creek trailhead in Buchanan to Winn Road. The project includes two trailheads and will connect two trail systems in the planning process.
The work using these federal dollars will start next year. Meanwhile, several partners continue their own efforts to add to the Niles-Buchanan connection.
