Parks SUMMER Newsletter 2021 Photo courtesy of Simply Laurie SILVER BEACH County Park (St. Joseph) Of Silver Beach County Park’s 2,450 feet of Lake frontage, approx. 1,600 feet are dedicated for a public swimming area in the summer months. Lifeguards will be on duty from approx. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., daily, through the summer season. is beautiful, and she is also very powerful. Learn how to safely enjoy the Great Lakes through resources at: https://greatlakeswatersafety.org/resources. If you plan to visit Silver Beach County Park and go in the water, check out the National Weather Service Beach Hazard statement and forecast at www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards, and "Know Before You Go!"

ROCKY GAP County Park (Benton Township) 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.

GALIEN RIVER County Park (New Buffalo) The park will be open daily this summer 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 from the MDNR public launch just upstream on Red Arrow Highway. Rentals available via Outpost Sports in New Buffalo: http://www.outpostsports.com/locations/nb.php www.berriencounty.org/parks DISC GOLF at Madeline Bertrand County Park (Niles) 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. Disc Golf FEES Daily Disc Golf Pass: Adult $4, Youth (15 & under) $3 Annual Disc Golf Permit: Adult $30, Youth $20 Daily Disc Rental: Adult $1, Youth $.50 “Summer Heater” Doubles Tourney! Saturday, July 10th Space is limited - 40 Team Maximum For more details, check: http://www.berriencounty.org/1298/Madeline-Bertrand-County-Park

SUMMER/FALL RECYCLING EVENTS by Berrien County Calling all farmers, greenhouses, golf courses, and other users of pesticides! Properly dispose of unwanted and outdated pesticides, for free, at the Clean Sweep Pesticide Collections on June 23 and July 28, 2021 in Benton Harbor. Registration deadline is two weeks prior to the event. Get a registration form at: www.berriencounty.org/465/Clean-Sweep-Pesticide-Collections or call 269-983-7111 x8234

Wednesday, June 9th, 3pm-7pm: New Buffalo Twp. Fire Station: Household chemicals & electronics. Saturday, Sept. 18th, 9am-1pm: Silver Beach County Park: Household chemicals, electronics & foam/polystyrene. Saturday, Oct. 9th, 8am-Noon: SE Berrien County Landfill Recycle Station: Household chemicals, electronics, foam/polystyrene and documents for on-site shredding.

For more information, visit www.berriencounty.org, click "Recycling Services" call: 269-983-7111 x8234, or email: [email protected]. Materials accepted from Berrien County households only. Waste from businesses is not accepted.

Berrien County Parks Quarterly Newsletter Mailing List • Would you like to receive news and information about seasonal events and activities avail- able in Berrien County Parks? • Madeline Bertrand County • The Berrien County Parks Quarterly Newsletter is available by both email and regular Park • Love Creek Nature Center mail at NO cost. & County Park • To sign up send your email or mailing address to: [email protected]. You can also • Silver Beach County Park call (269) 471-2617 or stop in the office at Madeline Bertrand or Love Creek. • Rocky Gap County Park LOVE CREEK Summer Happenings (Berrien Center) Friday, June 18th @ 3:00pm BIOBLITZ: A How To Guide With A Naturalist Celebrate the St. Joe River by participating in a month long “BioBlitz” along the lower St. Joseph River using the iNaturalist App. A citizen science project to help identify plants and animals along the St. Joseph River in Berrien, Elkhart and St. Joseph counties. This guided program gives a brief tutorial on how to use the iNaturalist app and how you can contribute data in our area. The App is free to download. Entry fee required without a parks permit. ($3/vehicle) For more information visit: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/celebrate-the-st-joe-bioblitz

Saturday, July 10th @ 2:00pm - Flora Identification Interested in learning how to identify native Michigan flora, invasive species or distinguishing poison ivy? Join us for an afternoon of plant-focused learning. Entry fee required without a parks permit. ($3/vehicle) Saturday, July 24th @ 2:00pm Love Creek. Turtles, Toads, Snakes & More Meet in the nature center at Love Creek County Park for an up close look at several of the reptiles and amphibians that live in SW Michigan. Feeding demonstrations included! Entry fee required without a parks permit. ($3/vehicle)

First Saturdays in June, July, August and September @ 8:30pm - Constellation Conversations

BCHA and Love Creek County Park are joining forces this summer to tell the story of the stars! Legends from around the world will be shared around a campfire before taking a night hike to the prairie to watch the stars come out. Spaces are limited to 20 people each and tickets are $5.00 for the public, $2.00 for BCHA members. Tickets can be purchased at berrienhistory.org under reoccurring programs. The schedule is as follows and each event begins at 8:30 p.m.: June 5 The Giraffes: African Star Stories July 3 Ride the Chariot: Asian Star Stories August 7 Call Him Moose: Potawatomi Star Stories September 4 The Three Stones of the Hearth: Mesoamerican Star Stories www.berriencounty.org/parks LOVE CREEK Summer Happenings (Berrien Center)

Saturday, September 11th, 11am - 3pm Love Creek Stewardship Day 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 a loved one, please bring them. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. No entry fee required. Interested in doing some independent volunteering in land stewardship? Want to learn how to identify and remove invasive plants? Call the Love Creek Nature Center for more information (269) 471-2617 Other volunteer opportunities may be available! Thank you! Mountain Biking at 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. Insect repellent is recommended when riding in summer. 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 “” region, check the Northern Mountain Bike Association site: http://nimba-bike.org/or the Bike Michiana Coalition at http://www.bikemichiana.org.

Love Creek winds its way through this rolling 200-acre natural area outside of Berrien Springs, Michigan. Six miles of hiking trails provide access to a variety of habitats, including a mature Beech-Maple forest with spectacular spring wildflowers. The Berrien County Parks Commission's Naturalist Service is based here and activities are available throughout the year. Love Creek Trail Map QR Code PAW PAW RIVER County Park (Watervliet) 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. Grab your binoculars, fishing pole or kayak and check it out! Dog walkers welcome! Leashes required. Located on M-140 in Watervliet next to Hayes Park.

HISTORY CENTER at Courthouse Square (Berrien Springs)

The Midwest’s Oldest Surviving County Government Complex • 1839 Courthouse • 1830 Log House • 1870 Sheriff’s House • 1860/1873 County Records and Office Building Open All Year - Free Admission Summer Hours: Tues - Sat: 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday: Noon - 4pm 313 N. Cass Street, Berrien Springs, MI Visit www.berrienhistory.org for program details or call 269-471-1202

Parks FACILITY RENTALS Looking for a location for a group or family gathering in 2021-2022? Berrien County Parks offer a mix of indoor and outdoor

Dunes Pavilion - Silver Beach rental facilities at Madeline Bertrand, Love Creek, Rocky Gap and Silver Beach County Parks. Visit the “Parks & Facility Rentals” page at: www.berriencounty.org/355/parks for more information.

Shadowland Pavilion - Silver Beach www.berriencounty.org/parks

701 Main Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

2021

Newsletter

SUMMER Parks