Community Vision Takes Shape as Ground Breaks for Euclid Avenue Park

On a bright April morning, Benton Heights gathered to celebrate something long‑awaited and full of promise: the future home of Euclid Avenue Park.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 23, marked more than the start of construction on a new park. It marked the beginning of a shared vision becoming reality — a vision shaped by community voices, strengthened by partnerships, and rooted in the desire to ensure Benton Heights has access to welcoming, high‑quality outdoor spaces where people can connect and thrive.

Located along Euclid Avenue near Laurel Avenue, the new 10‑acre community park will soon offer a place for neighbors of all ages to come together. Plans for Euclid Avenue Park include a playground, walking trail, pavilion with picnic tables and grills, pathways, and landscaped areas. Together, these features will create a safe, accessible space for children to play, families to gather, and seniors to enjoy fresh air and movement close to home.

Organized by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber alongside Benton Charter Township, the celebration brought together residents, community leaders and partner organizations who have worked behind the scenes to move the project forward.

Benton Charter Township Supervisor Cathy Yates spoke about the significance of the park for Benton Heights and the journey that led to this moment.

“To everyone who played a role in bringing this park to life, and to all of you who are here to celebrate with us today, thank you," Yates said. "Euclid Avenue Park belongs to the community, and we look forward to seeing it enjoyed by generations to come.”

This project was made possible through the generous financial support of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The township partnered with Berrien Community Foundation to secure the grant. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, First Church, New Heights CCDA, Council of Michigan Foundations all played a role.

Lisa Cripps‑Downey, president of Berrien Community Foundation, highlighted the importance of partnership and community‑driven planning in making Euclid Avenue Park possible.

"It was wonderful as a community foundation to be able to support this, to be able to work with everyone and be able to make this wonderful park happen," Cripps-Downey said. "We hosted community dinners and conversations. We asked kids what kind of playground they wanted, and they helped choose the equipment. Our engineers were there, sketching ideas and turning those conversations into real designs. We asked what colors worked best, what features mattered most, and what would truly serve the neighborhood."

Also speaking was Chris Britton of New Heights CCDA, who emphasized the value of collaboration and the importance of responding directly to community needs.

“Today is a meaningful moment for Benton Heights," Britton said. "For years, residents have expressed a simple but important desire: a safe, welcoming place to gather, to play, to walk, and to connect with one another. Today, that long‑standing request is beginning to take physical shape. Euclid Avenue Park is not just a project—it is a response to what this community has been asking for.”

Rounding out the speakers was Joselyn Pedroza, a longtime Benton Heights community member.

“I am one of the community members who lives here, and I just want you to know how grateful we are for everything that’s been happening," Pedroza said. "This has been a long, long, long dream for our community. We’ve talked about wanting a park for 10 years, and we never stopped. So I just want to thank you for your investment, for being here with us, and for believing in our neighborhood. I’m incredibly excited to see this park open.”