By James Windell
“It was December 4 two years ago when I made the initial request to the DNR leadership asking them about buying this property for a recreational park,” Scott Reinert said on Friday, November 7, 2025, at as ribbon cutting ceremony at Riverwoods Park. It’s two years later and I’m pleased to say that yesterday afternoon Ross Stein and I received the official paperwork from the DNR. It’s now signed, sealed and delivered. Riverwoods is now a SHARA property.”
“This is a huge moment for the South Haven area,” said Ross Stein, South Haven Area Recreation Authority (SHARA) Board Chair. “We’ve taken a site with a complex past and secured its future as a recreational space for the community — permanently.”
The Riverwoods property is a nearly 50-acre site located in South Haven Township along the Black River and Kal-Haven Trail. After signing the deed and completing all the paperwork, SHARA can now move forward with plans to develop the land, located on the east side of Blue Star Highway along the Black River, into a new public recreation space for the South Haven community. In fact, construction crews began clearing site two weeks ago.
“It took us two years to purchase the property,” says Scott Reinert, who as SHARA Administrator has been instrumental in dealing with the DNR to bring about the purchase, “but the DNR has been very supportive. They’ve committed $200,000 to help with the site development, which is amazing. It’s a win-win for everyone because this is going to be a park that will be in place for generations to come.”
Originally acquired by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 2012, the Riverwoods site has a varied history, including use as a peach orchard and an unfinished residential development. SHARA began working with the DNR in 2023 to acquire the land under the state’s Land Exchange and Sale program — a process requiring extensive coordination and a formal commitment to long-term public use. SHARA acquired the property at just 25% of its fair market value, reflecting both the public purpose of the project and strong collaboration between local and state partners.
As part of the agreement, the property will continue to be permanently deed-restricted for outdoor recreation, ensuring it will never be used for commercial development or other non-recreational purposes.
Initial site planning and preparation are underway, and future phases will focus on expanding public access and amenities while preserving the site’s natural features. One anticipated highlight includes the relocation of a portion of the historic Nichols Covered Bridge, which will be installed as a centerpiece of the park’s trail system. A section of the bridge was preserved through the efforts of Visit South Haven.
Other plans for the park include a dog park, pickleball courts, replacement of the fishing pier, relocation of the pavilion, and the addition of a kayak launch.
“Initial financial support for the Riverwoods project has come from the Department of Natural Resources, SHARA, and Visit South Haven,” said Stein. “That funding will help us begin site work, and additional fundraising is underway to support key features in the first phase of development. The Riverwoods project also advances priorities identified in the South Haven Parks and Recreation Master Plan, offering an opportunity to expand recreational access and develop key amenities that community members have consistently voiced support for.”
The DNR, which facilitated the transfer of the site, emphasized the importance of the long-term partnership. “The Riverwoods project is a great example of what happens when local and state partners come together with a shared vision for outdoor access,” said Chief Kristen Kosick, who is with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. In addition to facilitating the transfer of the property, the DNR has also committed $200,000 in grant funding to help kick off development at the site. “We’re proud to support SHARA and the South Haven community in creating a space that will benefit generations to come.”
Attending the ceremony was DNR’s Urban District Supervisor Tom Bissett who said that the Riverwoods project is an excellent example of what partnerships with community groups, like SHARA, can accomplish to preserve and protect natural resources.
“One of our strategic goals is to fund projects like this, but this is a testament to your work and dedication to the community and the people who will enjoy this park,” Bissett said. “This project drives home the concept of what state and local partners can do when they work together.”
“It will not only be great for visitors, but for our residents, too,” adds Reinert. “The nice thing is that even if folks aren’t aware initially of Riverwoods, it will be right on the Kal-Haven Trail and people will see it and want to walk over to it to see what’s there. They’ll see the pickleball courts, the dog park, the covered bridge, and a nice pavilion where they can relax. It’s just going to be a great destination.”
