There are big plans to clean up and revitalize Ox Creek in Benton Harbor, and city commissioners heard about them this week. At a Monday meeting, the University of Michigan’s Craig Borum told commissioners the Ox Creek Partnership consists of himself, residents, commissioners, the EPA, and the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. They’re developing a plan not only for the creek but also for Hall Park, which is next to the creek.
“Adding accessible parking, a children’s play area, the Ox Creek Trail that will run through the creek,” Borum said. “We’re hoping to use that to set up a relationship between the meadow of the park and the buffer for the creek itself so you can see that ecosystem.”
The plan also envisions a picnic area, restrooms, function basketball courts, redone baseball fields, and the return of the pavilion. Borum said the city has received $1 million from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for Hall Park work, while $3 million is coming from the federal government for the creek. Among the plans is a trail along Ox Creek.
“That trail proposed right now would go all the way from Main Street to Napier Avenue as a non-motorized trail, one that’s accessible to all. We’re hoping to use it as a way to educate both citizens, children, anyone about the ecosystem of the creek.”
Borum said the priorities include cleaning up the creek, preventing runoff into the creek, and improving surrounding infrastructure. It would cost as much as $20 million for the entire vision and the plan could come to fruition by the end of 2026. Borum said as more funding comes in, more is likely to follow.
