Sarett Nature Center is partnering with local municipalities and trail advocates to improve pedestrian access in Stevensville through the development of new hiking paths and a planned pedestrian bridge over Hickory Creek.
Nate Fuller, executive director of Sarett Nature Center, said the project is focused on expanding public access to nature and creating better trail connectivity within the village.
During an interview on the WSJM Morning Show with Ken & Friends, Fuller said Sarett Nature Center owns between 10 and 15 acres of land along Hickory Creek in Stevensville. The property was donated by the late, longtime community members Bud and Shirley Kerlikowske and has been held for future educational and recreational use. Fuller said limited resources have slowed development in the past, but new partnerships are helping move the project forward.
Sarett is now working with the Village of Stevensville and Friends of Berrien County Trails to create more than a mile of connected hiking trails along the creek. Fuller said a key challenge has been connecting land owned by Sarett on one side of Hickory Creek with village-owned property on the other side, including a park near John Beers Road.
Plans call for construction of a pedestrian bridge to span the creek, allowing trail users to move between the properties and access nearby parks. Fuller said the bridge will serve as a critical link in the trail system and open new opportunities for outdoor recreation.
“Once we get that bridge in place, we’ve got trails all lined up along the creek to take you from Stevensville over the creek into the various parks across John Beers Road and down along the creek. It’s the start of something great, and it’s another opportunity to get people outside,” said Fuller.
The estimated cost of the bridge project is $120,000. Organizers are seeking to raise $60,000 locally, which would be matched by a $60,000 state grant. Friends of Berrien County Trails is expected to lead much of the fundraising effort, with support from Sarett Nature Center and local partners.
Fuller said the bridge design is intended to be economical while meeting safety and accessibility needs. If fundraising stays on schedule, organizers hope to complete funding efforts by early spring and begin construction before the end of summer.
Information about the project and ways to get involved will be shared through Sarett Nature Center, village and township websites, and social media channels in the coming weeks.
Fuller said the effort reflects Sarett’s broader mission of serving the community by expanding access to outdoor spaces and encouraging people to spend more time in nature.
Image credit: Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy.
