The Friends of Berrien County Trails are planning to celebrate a new milestone in the construction of the Marquette Greenway, a 60-mile trail planned between Chicago and New Buffalo.
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission says the first completed portion of the trail, from New Buffalo and Grand Beach, is now open to the public.
A ribbon cutting will be held April 25 with trail supporters and dignitaries on hand. They’ll include volunteers from the Friends of Berrien County Trails, bicycle enthusiasts, hikers, funders, donors, local and county public officials, and state representatives who will speak about what the project means for them.
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission says the Marquette Greenway goes back more than ten years as backers worked to raise funds by seeking donations and applying for grants.
There are also plans to extend the Marquette Greenway up along Red Arrow Highway to the north. Work this year aims to extend the greenway from Grand Beach down to the Indiana state line.
The April 25 ribbon cutting will be at 10:30 a.m. at the trailhead, which is located at Smith and Mechanic Streets in downtown New Buffalo.
