Friends of Berrien County Trails and the Work of Building a Safer, Connected Red Arrow Trail

At Friends of Berrien County Trails, one of the most exciting things happening in Berrien County is the steady buildout of a trail that gives people a safer, more welcoming way to move through Harbor Country. This has been a true partnership effort, with transportation professionals, the Berrien County Road Department, engineering firms like Wightman (pictured below at this year’s clean-up day,) and local townships working together to bring the Red Arrow Trail to life one segment at a time.

What makes this project so meaningful is not just the pavement itself. It is what that trail makes possible: safer biking, walking, running, family outings, and stronger connections between communities and local businesses. We spoke with Melanie Stanage from Wightman, who was joined by a crew of volunteers at one of our clean-up the trails event locations about why she feels compelled to take part in events like these, and the overall impact the trails have in the community.

How the trail project started

The work began in Union Pier. That first section set the tone for the larger effort, combining a road diet with a dedicated trail segment. Starting there made sense. It created an early example of how roadway design and trail infrastructure can work together to improve safety and access for everyone.

From that initial section, the project has continued north and south in phases. Rather than one uninterrupted construction push, the trail has been developed in segments, moving forward where opportunities, planning, and coordination aligned. That kind of step-by-step progress is often how trail projects get done.

If you want to follow how these connections are taking shape, the ongoing Projects – Friends of Berrien County Trails page is a helpful place to see how gaps are being closed across the county trail network.

Why building in segments still matters

Large trail systems rarely appear all at once. They are usually the result of years of planning, local partnerships, and practical construction scheduling. In this case, the progress north and south from Union Pier reflects that reality.

Even when segments are built in different locations or at different times, each one adds value:

• It expands safe travel options for residents.
• It creates better access between communities.
• It helps build momentum for future phases.
• It shows local stakeholders what a completed network can look like.

That gradual approach is exactly how a regional trail becomes a usable community asset instead of just a long-term idea.

The next major connection: Bridgman to Stevensville

One of the most exciting updates in this effort is the segment from Bridgman to Stevensville, which is set for construction this year. That is a big step forward for the corridor.

Every new section improves continuity, but connections between communities are especially important. They turn a local path into something more practical for everyday use, recreation, and tourism. A person is much more likely to use a trail regularly when it helps them actually get somewhere safely and comfortably.

For Friends of Berrien County Trails, this kind of progress represents more than construction. It represents access. It means more people can move between places without having to rely entirely on a car or risk traveling too close to fast traffic.

For more on the route itself, the Red Arrow Trail – Expansion page provides additional context on the growing multi-use trail in Harbor Country.

What this trail gives the community

The value of the Red Arrow Trail comes down to everyday use. A well-designed multi-use trail serves a lot of people in a lot of different ways.

It helps connect businesses. It creates a more inviting experience for visitors. It gives local residents another way to get outside and move through their community. And it supports all kinds of users, not just one narrow group.

That includes people who want to:

• Bike for transportation or recreation
• Pull a child trailer on a ride
• Walk with family
• Run along a dedicated path
• Push a stroller without worrying about high-speed traffic

Those details matter. A community trail is not only for athletes or destination riders. It is for parents, kids, walkers, runners, and anyone who wants a safer option outdoors.

Safety is the real foundation

At the heart of the project is a very simple truth: most people do not want to be on the edge of a road with cars moving 55 miles per hour.

That is why trail infrastructure matters so much. Safety is often the deciding factor in whether someone feels comfortable biking or walking at all. Without separation from high-speed traffic, many people simply will not use a corridor, no matter how scenic or convenient it might be.

Creating a dedicated space changes that experience. It lowers stress. It broadens who can use the route. It makes active transportation and recreation feel possible for more people, not just the most confident riders or runners.

And once that safe option exists, the community benefits ripple outward:

• Families are more likely to use the trail together.
• Local destinations become easier to reach.
• Residents gain another healthy way to stay active.
• Visitors have a better way to experience the area.

Why partnership has been so important

Projects like this do not move forward alone. The progress on the Red Arrow Trail has come through collaboration, especially with the Berrien County Road Department and township partners – Chikaming, New Buffalo and Lake Townships. That kind of long-term coordination is what allows a vision to become something physical and usable. Future sections will involve the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Warren Dunes State Park), Bridgman, Stevensville and Lincoln Township.

Partnership has helped move the trail from concept into constructed segments. It has also made room for thoughtful design decisions, including the early road diet in Union Pier and the phased expansions north and south.

For Friends of Berrien County Trails, this is a strong example of what can happen when agencies and communities work toward the same goal: a safer, more connected county.

Building the trail is only part of the work

Construction gets attention, but long-term care is just as important. A trail only stays inviting if people continue to look after it. That is why support for cleanup days matters so much.

Helping sponsor trail cleanup efforts is part of making sure the corridor stays in good shape for years to come. Clean, well-maintained trails are more enjoyable to use, but they also signal something important: this place is cared for, and it belongs to the community.

That stewardship mindset is a big part of what makes Friends of Berrien County Trails more than a name. It reflects an ongoing commitment not just to opening trails, but to keeping them usable and welcoming over time.

If you are interested in pitching in, the Give Back to the Trails Clean Up Events are a great starting point for finding ways to help.

A trail network that serves residents and visitors alike

One of the strongest things about this project is that it is not limited to one kind of user or one kind of benefit. The trail supports local quality of life while also making the area more attractive and accessible for tourists.

That dual impact matters in a place where community identity, local business activity, and outdoor recreation all overlap. When people can move more easily and safely between destinations, everybody gains something from it.

Residents gain a practical and healthy transportation and recreation option. Visitors gain a better way to explore the area. Businesses benefit from stronger connections and more foot and bike traffic. The county gains a more complete and people-friendly transportation network.

Why this work is worth getting excited about

It is easy to understand why the people involved describe this as a fun project to be part of. Trail building at this scale creates visible, lasting change. You can see the impact in how people use the space and in the confidence families feel when they no longer have to share the shoulder with high-speed cars.

That is the bigger story behind the Red Arrow Trail. It is not just a line on a map. It is a safer route, a community connector, and a long-term investment in how people experience Berrien County.

Friends of Berrien County Trails continues to reflect that mission through support, stewardship, and momentum for the work ahead. As each segment is completed, the trail becomes more useful, more welcoming, and more valuable to the people who call this area home and to those who come to enjoy it.

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