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McCoy Creek Trail

The McCoy Creek Trail will be a 7.5-mile trail through Buchanan’s historic downtown and will connect to Niles via the Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail.

Current Project Snapshot

The next phase of the McCoy Creek Trail is to extend the trail from the existing trailhead on Walton Road (near Rangeline Road) to connect to a proposed trailhead at Walton and Winn Roads (near M-139)

Overlay
length

3.5 Miles

Overlay (1)
Status

0% Complete

Overlay (2)
Estimated Cost

$4.9 Million

Overlay (2)
Funding Secured

$564,450.00

Overlay (3)
Communities Served

Buchanan Township, Niles Township

Linking Buchanan to Niles via the IN-MI River Valley Trail

The McCoy Creek Trail project will connect Buchanan to Niles along Walton Road to M-139 and add a new trailhead at Walton and Winn Roads where it will connect to the Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail.

Progress & Impact Section

  • 4 miles built/existing
  • 3.5 miles in development
4 Miles Built of 7.5 Miles
Trail Logo FINAL Transparent

Project Summary

In 2025, the City of Buchanan led the effort to expand the McCoy Creek Trail from EB Clark Woods to River Saint Joe Brewery on Walton Road. The current project is to extend the trail east along Walton Road and build a trailhead at Walton and Winn Roads.  Eventually, the McCoy Creek Trail will connect to the Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail, connecting Buchanan to Niles and beyond.

Project Status

Be Healthy Berrien has hired Wightman to do the engineering of the trail and trailhead to get this project shovel ready.  Surveying work has commenced and design and engineering will be completed in 2026. 

Current Funding Goal and Status

United Way, through the collaborative Be Healthy Berrien, secured $664,550 to connect Buchanan to Niles from the Department of Housing and Urban Development – a community project advanced by Representative Walberg’s office.  Partners are working with Berrien County to submit a grant to the Michigan Department of Transportation, Transportation Alternative Program for 80% of the construction costs. Fundraising efforts will be critical to secure the required 20% local match.