Buchanan’s McCoy Creek Trail expanding, goal to merge with IN-MI Trail

BUCHANAN, Mich. — “McCoy Creek is the reason Buchanan is where it is, there were a number of mills built along the creek – there were at one time 22 mills on the trail - that’s the reason we want to highlight this.”  

Jerry Flenar believes McCoy Creek is a fixture in Buchanan that should continue to be preserved and showcased. 

That’s why the Friends of McCoy Creek Trail are advocating for funds to extend its trail system, and they’ve now got some, with a total of $340,000 from two Michigan grants.

Which means work will soon begin to expand the trail out to Walton Road into Niles and beyond.  

“You could leave Buchanan, go out to the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail and go to Niles, that then would lead you down to Mishawaka and Elkhart, or you could go the other way, up to Berrien Springs, and they’re hoping to connect with St. Joseph,” said Flenar.  

It will also allow bikers or walkers the option of stopping at River St. Joe, Buchanan’s nearly two year old brewery, that’s made an effort to be part of the community that inspired its creation.  

“Trying to get involved in the community since we’ve opened, we’re really excited to have the trail now lead from downtown right to here,” said Claire Luff, Marketing & Events Manager at River St. Joe.  

It’s also another step toward the overall Buchanan experience – one that community leaders say is at the forefront of all of their projects right now to revitalize the small town.  

“It seems to be one of the next towns, it’s up and coming, there’s all sorts of agritourism happening in this area,” said Luff. 

An additional $300,000 is what Friends of the McCoy Creek Trail is now setting its sites on.

That would allow them to stretch construction to the Indiana Michigan Trail.