The Berrien County Road Department and its partners continue to make progress on the Red Arrow Trail! The first
section was celebrated on May 28, 2021 with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Union Pier. The lane reduction of Red Arrow Highway from four to three lanes created room for a streetscape and non-motorized path in Union Pier. Pedestrian safety is greatly improved for those visiting this bustling little town for shopping, eating and heading to the beach.
The Friends of Berrien County Trails board members, Gary Wood and John Chipman, were instrumental in setting the vision for the first segment of trail. The Friends of Berrien County Trails continues to support efforts to connect the Red Arrow Trail to the south to New Buffalo (connecting to the Marquette Greenway) and to the north to Stevensville and beyond.
Berrien County with assistance from the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission secured an USDA Rural Business Development Grant for Berrien County to fund the engineering of the trail from US12 to just south of Bridgman (excluding the 1.3 mile Union Pier and 1.5 mile section from Lakshore Drive to Harbert Community Park which was already built). In late 2022, MDOT CMAQ funds were approved to pave the trail from Harbert Community Park to Sawyer Road and this was completed as of September 2023. Berrien County with the assistance of Southwest Michigan Planning Commission and the Friends secured an MDOT TAP grant and New Buffalo Township secured a Pokagon Fund grant to extend the shared use path from Union Pier (at Community Hall Road) to the light at US12. This section was completed in 2024. The connection between Berrien Street (Union Pier) to Lakeshore Drive is under construction currently and is partially funded with an MDOT TAP grant awarded to Berrien County Road Department.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has hired an engineer to design the trail through Warren Dunes State Park to Floral Lane. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is working with Berrien County Road Department to secure an MDOT TAP grant to connect Bridgman to Stevensville in 2026.
The ultimate goal is to connect all the way up the lakeshore to the Kal-Haven Trail at the Van Buren State Park in South Haven. See efforts on the Lakeshore Trail.