The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission has presented the Berrien County Board of Commissioners with a Graham Woodhouse Intergovernmental Effort Award for the board’s work on the Berrien County Trails Master Plan.
Speaking to commissioners Thursday, the planning commission’s Marcy Hamilton said support from all municipalities in the county was sought during the plan’s drafting.
“We did really extensive public input into this,” Hamilton said. “We had over 2,000 respondents to a public survey. We had over 100% participation from all 39 municipalities in contributing to the plan. That really was kind of a remarkable feat to get that kind of participation and interest.”
Hamilton thanked the county board for backing the plan, which envisions trails development in the county for years to come.
“There’s no other project that I think really stands up to the ‘intergovernmental,’ that part of this award is really in this project.”
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission has been giving the award to partner agencies on the master plan. They include the Lincoln Township Board of Trustees, which was told about its award this week.
The master plan makes it easier for the planning commission to acquire grants to support further trail projects.
