A new park is in the works in Oronoko Township. Township Supervisor Mike Hildebrand tells us the new Berrien Springs Community Park is about 20 years in the making as the township bought 20 acres of property on the north side of Snow Road back around 1999. The public safety building was constructed there.
“There was all this backyard pace that was intended over the years to be used as a park, and so around 2015, the township applied for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to develop that park,” Hildebrand said.
The new park is a partnership of Oronoko Township, Berrien Township, the village of Berrien Springs, and Berrien Springs Public Schools. Hildebrand says the group secured a $278,000 grant for the park around 2015, and additional funds are being raised to reach the $2.5 million needed for the overall project. The park is now about 50% finished with work done for baseball and soccer fields.
“The shaping of the earth has already taken place on seven baseball and softball fields that will house the recreation departments for Berrien Springs, all of our youth sports programs.”
Hildebrand says when it’s finished, Berrien Springs Community Park will be 50 acres with seven baseball fields, several soccer fields, and trails that connect to the county trail system. Honor Credit Union has helped with a $100,000 matching grant and supporters are invited to contribute. Just call the township office. The park will be finished by 2025.
