The Berrien County Parks Department has made a draft copy of the 2025-2029 Parks Five Year Plan available for the public to view.

Parks Director Jill Adams told us last month the county must have a five-year parks plan to qualify for a variety of grants. Plus, it’s just helpful to have all of the department’s plans for parks improvements laid out in one document.

The county does maintain a lot of parks assets.

“We’ve got seven parks properties equaling approximately 650 acres throughout the county, and these county parks are spread out from north to south and east to west and have a good variety of amenities and attractions,” Adams said.

Adams says the draft parks plan envisions several trails projects.

The draft plan is now online, and you can see it right here. You can also pick up hard copies at several locations around the county.

The draft plan is open for public review through November 18 and comments can be emailed to parks@berriencounty.org.

Printed copies will also be available to view at the following locations during business hours:

Watervliet District Library, 333 N. Main Street, Watervliet
Berrien County Administration Center, Parks Department, 701 Main Street, St. Joseph
New Buffalo Township Library, 33 N. Thompson Street, New Buffalo
Madeline Bertrand County Park, 3038 Adams Road, Niles
Love Creek County Park, 9292 Huckleberry Road, Berrien Center