Anyone who has ever expressed exasperation, or approval…indignation or applause…consternation or even capitulation over the existing ways to get into and out of Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph now has a wide open forum to share those opinions right, wrong or indifferent with the Berrien County Parks Commission who wants to find the best possible solutions going forward.
That commission is now seeking written public ideas on ways to improve the traffic patterns for both vehicles and pedestrians entering and exiting Silver Beach County Park. This is truly your single best shot at sharing whatever ideas or solutions you might have with the people who actually are charged with maintaining and operating the park every single day.
Parks Commission authorities tell us that written public ideas are requested by Monday, August 7th. Following the gathering of those myriad ideas, suggestions, criticisms and applause, the ideas will be shared at the Berrien County Parks Commission meeting on Wednesday, August 16th.
Silver Beach has long been a public attraction, dating back to 1891 when the Silver Beach Amusement Park was established. It was in 1990, however, that Berrien County acquired Silver Beach from LECO Corporation, thanks to a $1-million dollar donation from LECO and $3-million from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Silver Beach has operated as a county park since the acquisition in 1990. In recent years, with the addition of other public attractions in the Twin Cities area, Silver Beach County Park and downtown St. Joseph have become major focal points for many residents and visitors alike.
With a corresponding sizable increase in both people and vehicles in the area, the Parks Commission is asking for suggestions from the public for ways to enhance the park while at the same time keeping the public and pedestrian’s safety as top priorities.
Anyone wishing to provide the Berrien County Parks Commission with ideas on how to improve the visitor experience when entering Silver Beach County Park is requested to send those ideas to: silverbeach@berrriencounty.org or by mail to Berrien County Parks Commission, 701 Main Street, St. Joseph MI 49085. If you do submit your opinions, please include your name, address and phone number with any written communications.
For the latest activities upcoming at the Berrien County Parks, visit www.berrriencounty.org/parks. Information is updated on the home page and on each individual Park Facebook page.
