WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
A need for a central source of information was the recurring theme expressed during a public-input session Monday in Sturgis to help with the establishment of a river trail master plan.
About a dozen people attended and told officials from Edgewater Resources that a website, blog, link through the county’s homepage or some easy-to-track source be established to keep paddlers abreast of information about canoeing and kayaking in St. Joseph County.
The source would provide details such as whether a river is obstructed by a downed tree and where, parking information, good places to put in and take out a watercraft from a river, potential problems with nearby land owners and general information about the flow of the county’s six rivers.
The county board earlier this summer agreed to fund $89,000 for services provided by Edgewater for developing the master plan in hopes of realizing the economic benefits of drawing paddlers to the county for canoeing and kayaking opportunities.
Edgewater’s Suzanne Fromson said the plan should be in place at some point in October. She expects to call another public forum to review the master plan, which has value in the form of grant opportunities.
