By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
NILES, MI – Madeline Bertrand County Park could be getting a major upgrade in coming years if Berrien County is successful in getting a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant later this year.
Berrien County Parks Director Jill Adams reported on the new project at a recent Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting. Commissioners then approved the trust fund grant application asking for $400,000 toward the $1.83 million project.
Adams said the goal is to build a new pavilion at the park located on the St. Joseph River just north of the stateline south of Niles. The new all-season pavilion will replace the river shelter structure that was demolished last year due to its deteriorated condition.
The proposed pavilion envisioned by the Abonmarche engineering firm is the result of public and staff input. “The renderings are a result of working with Abonmarche to bring the ideas into a vision that represents a thoughtful investment in the community to expand the use of the park and expand its role as a regional destination,” she said.
Adams said the new river pavilion will have an expanded parking lot, additional handicapped accessible restrooms, and accessible pathways around the structure to connect with other existing amenities in the park. It fills the need for a year-round indoor space and fulfills the goals outlined in the five year county park plan.
She said the pavilion will have space for 200 people and could host everything from school field trips and scout outings to community events, business meetings, and small private gatherings.
As for the grant timeline, the application deadline was April 1 with applicants notified in December and January if they will receive funding. The final paperwork for the grant would then be signed in the spring of 2027 with construction starting in the fall or winter of 2027 at the earliest.
She noted that $400,000 is the maximum amount the county can apply for, with the rest of the needed funds coming from other sources such as the county parks budget, the Berrien County Community Foundation endowment fund, other grants, and fundraising.
Adams pointed out that a 30-mile radius of the park includes communities as far away as Benton Harbor to the north, Plymouth, Ind. to the south, Michigan City to the west, and White Pigeon to the east.
“The park is already a valued destination and this allows for it to be a more vital resource,” she said. “It provides a place not currently available and broadens the park’s functionality. We believe it will attract a diverse range of visitors and increase park tourism.”
When asked by commissioners, Adams said that if the grant is not obtained, the project will still move forward but will be done in phases.
In other action by the county board, commissioners decided to change its schedule for committee of the whole meetings this year. Typically, the county board meets weekly for both committee of the whole and regular board meetings each Thursday.
At Interim County Administrator Michael Sepic’s recommendation, commissioners amended the 2027 schedule to have the committee of the whole meetings on just the first and third Thursday mornings. He noted that there’s often been a lack of programming for the committee of the whole meetings in recent months.
Commissioners did not act on Commissioner Robert Harrison’s suggestion that the board consider also reducing the number of regular board meetings from four to two a month.
Commissioners did give an informal go-ahead to a plan to issue a county commemorative coin in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary this year. County staff will investigate how much it will cost and how fast it can be done. The coins could possibly be sold at the county clerk’s offices and at county parks.