In this Issue: Berrien County
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Berrien County
Parks
FALL Newsletter 2022
In this Issue:
1. Wednesday Wellness Walks
2. Fall Naturalist Events at Love Creek
2. Berrien Birding Club
3. Love BiktoberFest EVENT - Oct 9th, 2022
at Berrien County Parks
4. Mountain Biking - Beginner/Group Rides
5. Disc Golf at Madeline Bertrand
Fall is one of the best hiking seasons in Southwest Michigan and
5. Rocky Gap/Galien River County Park Berrien County Parks have several scenic trails that burst with
6. History Center Events at
Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs fall colors. Enjoy our trails on your own or join us for one of the
6. Silver Beach / Paw Paw River weekday morning group walks scheduled below. On these Naturalist
7. Fall Recycling Events
7. Facility Rentals in Berrien County
lead hikes we’ll explore the nature of fall and get some exercise along
8. Berrien County Parks MAP the way. Each hike will last approximately 60-90 minutes and cover 2
to 2 1/2 miles.
Wednesday, September 21st - 10:00 a.m. Madeline Bertrand County Park
Meet at the visitor center to begin this hike on trails along the St. Joseph River to the
northern parts of the park. Bertrand is well-known as a great location for a group picnic
or a round of Disc Golf, but it also has significant natural beauty, especially at this time of
year and we’ll show you our favorite trails and locations. ($3 per car or free with parks
permit)
Wednesday, September 28th - 10:00 a.m. Paw Paw River County Park
Come and discover the Paw Paw River County Park in Watervliet. A half mile hard
Galien River surface trail circles the interior of an island along the Paw Paw River. Meet at the bridge
entrance. (Free)
Wednesday, October 5th - 10:00 a.m. Love Creek County Park
Meet at the nature center to begin this walk out to the scenic Love Creek valley. We’ll
choose the trails we think offer the best early October color. ($3 per car or free with
parks permit).
Wednesday, October 12th - 10:00 a.m
Galien River County Park
Meet at the parking lot trailhead to begin a fall explora-
tion of this gorgeous park in New Buffalo. Our walk will
Love Creek Nature Center include the Canopy Walkway and Marsh Boardwalk, as
well as the Ridge Trail. Good fall color and great views Paw Paw River
can be expected! (Free)
Wednesday, October 19th - 10:00 a.m.
Love Creek County Park
We’ll return to Love Creek for our final fall walk, as the
Beech-Maple forest along the Love Creek valley is often
at its color peak in late fall. Meet at the nature center.
($3 per car or Free with Parks permit).
Madeline Bertrand
Galien River www.berriencounty.org/parks 1
FALL NATURALIST EVENTS ...
At Love Creek Nature Center!
Saturday, September 3rd and Sunday September 11th
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Love Creek Stewardship Days!
Invasive species threaten Love Creek's amazing natural areas. Learn how to
identify and remove some of these pesky plants while getting some fresh air
and exercise. We have a few tools available, but if you have your own garden
sheers, loppers and gloves, please bring them. Refreshments and snacks will
be provided. No entry fee required. 9292 Huckleberry Rd, Berrien Center, MI
49102.
Saturday, September 24, 2:00 p.m.
Mushroom Meander - Love Creek
Join a naturalist for a relaxed walk through the woods
as we look for the fascinating mushrooms of Michigan.
Meet inside the Nature Center at 10:00 am. This is an ob-
servation walk, we will NOT be collecting anything. ($3
per car or free with Parks permit).
Saturday, October 15, 6:45 p.m.
Love Creek Night Hike
Join us for an after dark exploration of the trails at Love Creek
County Park. We’ll be on the lookout for some after dark
entertainment by our Love Creek critter residents. At
dusk we may see a bat and later, hear an owl.
Berrien County Parks Scenic Trail Hikes!
All countywide trails are worth exploring! Enjoy the trails on your own or join us for a naturalist-guided group hike
listed below. During each of these guided hikes we’ll explore the nature of fall and enjoy some exercise on the
trails. Each hike will last approximately an hour.
Saturday, October 1st, 3:00p.m. Love Creek County Park
Meet in the Nature Center for a 3pm hike.
Saturday, October 22nd, 10:00 a.m. Galien River County Park
Meet in front of the bridge.
Sunday, October 30th, 10:00 a.m. Love Creek County Park
Meet at the nature center.
Galien River
Group Birding with the BERRIEN BIRDING CLUB
Berrien County Parks sponsors the Berrien Birding Club to promote recreational
birding throughout the county. More species of birds have been recorded
here than in any other county in Michigan! If you’d like to enjoy some of these
birds with a friendly group of people, please join us! Schedule of events can be
found at: www.berriencounty.org/434/Birding
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in Berrien County Parks
Love Creek features 3.5 miles of mountain bike trails that
include a mix of single and double track sections with frequent
short climbs. Some sections are shared with hikers and bikers are
required to yield to hikers.
Love Creek offers a fleet of Mountain
bikes available for rent of both adult
and children's sizes. We also have a
few fat bikes we are renting out all year this year! It is best to call and
reserve before renting: 269-471-2617.
The 2.2 mile Green Trail at Madeline Bertrand is also open to
mountain bikes. The trail is one-way and bikers should yield to
hikers. The terrain is mostly flat with one narrow, downhill slope and a
returning climb. It is an ideal trail for a family cycling outing.
For information on other mountain bike trails in the “Michiana” region,
check the Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association site:
http://nimba-bike.org/
or the Bike Michiana Coalition at
http://www.bikemichiana.org.
Love Creek BEGINNER CLINIC & GROUP RIDES
Love Creek County Park, in conjunction with NIMBA (Northern Indiana
Mountain Bike Assoc.) will be holding 2 introduction to mountain biking clinics
on Saturday, September 17th. The clinic at 2pm will be for adults and teens and
the clinic at 3:30 will be for kids. To participate in the class you need to be able to
ride a bike without assistance (no training wheels or striders). We do ask that if
you bring a bike to the class that it has fully functioning brakes and gears.
If you plan on renting one of the bikes at the park, call ahead of time to check on
the sizes and availability ($10 rental for clinic,14 and under are free with adult
rental). Helmets are required and are also available at the park with a bike rental.
The clinic will be led by a BICP instructor from NIMBA, with a limit of 12 per class. There is no charge for
the class but you must register by contacting Love Creek Nature at 269-471-2617.
Enjoy an evening ride on the Mountain Bike trail at Love Creek County Park. This
group ride is for beginners and experienced riders alike and will feature our 3.5
mile trail with a mix of single and double track with a few small downhills and
short climbs.
Love Creek offers a fleet of Mountain Bikes for rent with both child and adult sizes.
Kids 14 and under rent free as long as an adult is riding with them.
Adult rental is $10hr. Meet at the Nature Center. If you would like to rent a
mountain bike, be sure to reserve by calling: 269-471-2617
Group rides are Friday’s, September 9th, 30th, and October 7th @ 6:00pm
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at Madeline Bertrand County Park
The Madeline Bertrand Disc Golf course features 18 holes and is open during regular park hours.
The Disc Golf pro shop in the Visitor Center features a full line of discs and other accessories for sale.
Plus you can always rent discs for play!
37th ANNUAL
FALL DISC "GOLF" DERBY!
Saturday, October 8th
Check the Madeline Bertrand Facebook page
or call: (269) 683-8280 for more information.
3038 Adams Rd., Niles, MI 49120
DISC GOLF FEES
Daily Disc Golf Pass: Adult $5, Youth (15 & under) $4
Annual Disc Golf Permit: Adult $35, Youth $25 *
Daily Disc Rental: Adult $1, Youth $.50
Located just south of Niles, Madeline Bertrand County Park
offers a public area of natural beauty along the St. Joseph River.
Trails lead through pine and oak forests, offering opportunities for hiking and bicycling as well!
ROCKY GAP County Park
Overlooking Lake Michigan from a bluff in Benton Township, Rocky
Gap County Park provides a wonderful place to enjoy the Lake
Michigan shoreline. Rocky Gap County Park has 1,100 feet of Lake
Michigan frontage. It is an ideal location to take a relaxed lunch
break, cool off with a quick swim, and enjoy a sunset. The lower park
provides easy access to the sandy beaches, and the upper park presents
spectacular panoramic views from the Lake Michigan Overlook Deck.
Severe erosion is occurring on the Dune at Rocky Gap County Park. Visitors are
asked to use the ramp provided to access the beach and parking lot at the Lower
Park. Stay off the dune. Dune restoration efforts are put in place to try to help
restore the Dune and provide stability, ultimately protecting the parking lot and
other structures. 1100 Rocky Gap Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
GALIEN RIVER County Park
The park will be open daily this fall during daylight hours. Plan a visit to
walk and explore the Canopy Walkway, Marsh Overlook Tower, Marsh
Boardwalk and River Deck. A woodland loop is available as well!
Another fun way to explore the park is by kayak or stand up
paddleboard on the Galien River from the MDNR public launch just
upstream on Red Arrow Highway.
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at Courthouse Square
THE MIDWEST’S OLDEST SURVIVING COUNTY GOVERNMENT COMPLEX
1839 Courthouse * 1830 Log House * 1870 Sheriff’s House
1860/1873 County Records and Office Building
Fall Events at the Courthouse!
Open All Year Through October 2 - The Melodious Faithful: The Musical History of the House of David
Free Admission Exhibit
Hours: September 24 & 25: Artisan Weekend @ the Square: Artisan registration closes September
Wed - Sun, 10am - 5pm 16, email info@berrienhistory.org
(Oct 1 - Dec 23)
313 N. Cass Street, October 1 - November 6: 3rd Annual Dia de Muertos Community Ofrenda: Community
Berrien Springs, MI members may bring something for the altar anytime the museum is open
October 1, 15, & 29: Ghostly Voices series: Ghost stories inside the Murdoch log cabin, see
berrienhistory.org to register, $5.00 per person
October 12 - December 23: Sew Beautiful: Quilts from the BCHA's Collections exhibit opens
October 13 - Masquerade on the Square fundraiser for the BCHA: Tickets go on sale
September 1st, see berrienhistory.org to purchase
October 16: Ghostly Voices Junior: Kid-friendly tales and marshmallows, see berrienhistory.
org to register, $5.00 per person
October 20: Passport to the Past - Stories Among the Stones: Special event held at Rosehill
cemetery, 6:30 p.m., Free
October 31: Trick or Treating at the Square: Will run concurrent with the village's times, see
Journal Era for more information
Visit www.berrienhistory.org for program details or call 269-471-1202
SILVER BEACH County Park
Silver Beach County Park is open dawn to dusk, every day, all year long. The
restroom facilities will be open during the day until the end of October.
Learn about Great Lakes dangers and how to safely enjoy your time at the
beach from the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium:
www.greatlakeswatersafety.org.
Guests are encouraged to visit Silver Beach and enjoy the beautiful
soft sand and the incredible views of Lake Michigan. 101 Broad St., St.
Joseph, MI 49085:
https://www.facebook.com/silverbeachcountypark/
County Park
The Park is designed for people of all abilities and encourages the public to
experience a natural river area in a beautiful Southwest Michigan setting.
This park includes a barrier-free kayak/canoe launch, a pedestrian bridge
providing access to an island in the Paw Paw River, a hard surface walking
trail loop on the island, as well as overlook/fishing decks and viewing areas
along the Paw Paw River. 650 N Main St, Watervliet, MI 49098
6 www.berriencounty.org/parks
by Berrien County Parks
September 17, Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Silver Beach County Park:
101 Broad Street, St. Joseph. Accepted Items - Household Chemicals,
Electronics (some fees apply), and Foam/Polystyrene.
October 8, Saturday, 8 a.m. - 12 Noon -
Southeast Berrien County Landfill Recycle Center:
3200 Chamberlain Rd., Buchanan. Accepted Items - Household Chemicals,
Electronics (some fees apply), Foam/Polystyrene, and Paper Documents for
On-Site Shredding.
For details on accepted items and drop off locations visit:
www.berriencounty.org Click Recycling Services
or call (269) 983-7111 x8232.
Materials accepted from Berrien County households only.
Waste from businesses is not accepted.
at Berrien County Parks
Looking for a location for a group or family gathering in 2022?
Berrien County Parks offer a mix of indoor and outdoor rental facilities at
Madeline Bertrand, Rocky Gap, Love Creek Nature Center and Silver Beach County Parks.
Visit the “Parks & Facility Rentals” page at:
www.berriencounty.org/355/parks for more information.
Rocky Gap "Lake Michigan Overlook Deck" The "Trillium Room" at Silver Beach
Love Creek Nature Center "Shadowland Pavilion"
Madeline Bertrand "Bertrand Lodge" Madeline Bertrand "Bertrand Lodge"
Silver Beach "Dunes Pavilion"
Berrien County Parks Quarterly Newsletter Mailing List
• Would you like to receive news and information about seasonal events and
activities available in Berrien County Parks? The Berrien County Parks
Quarterly Newsletter is available by both email and regular mail at no cost. • Madeline Bertrand County Park
• Love Creek Nature Center &
• To sign up send your email or mailing address to: lovecreek@berriencounty.org. County Park
• Rocky Gap County Park
You can also call (269) 471-2617 or stop in the office at Madeline Bertrand or
• Silver Beach County Park
Love Creek.
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Parks
FALL Newsletter
2022
www.berriencounty.org/Parks
St. Joseph, MI 49085
701 Main Street
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