NILES TOWNSHIP — Officials from the Niles Township Parks Commission are seeking feedback from the public on how to improve local parks and trails.

To do so, the commission will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 30, at the township hall, 320 Bell Road.

Those who attend will be able to talk with park commissioners, representatives from Wightman & Associates, the engineers for the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail project and the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. Snacks will be served.

The open house falls on the heels of two important developments: the rejection of recent bids for the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail project and the creation of a new five-year master plan for the parks.

The bid rejection will cause a nine- to 10-month delay of construction on the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail. Jill DeLucia, the Niles Township Parks Commission chairwoman, said bids were about $250,000 over the project’s initial estimate of about $800,000. She said the project is expected to be re-bid this winter, with construction anticipated for the spring 2019. The Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail was initially scheduled for construction this summer.

“The township was in favor of trying to make up the difference, but the state of Michigan has a protocol for the bidding process and so to stay complaint with that, we really needed to reject the bids,” DeLucia said.

The 1.2 miles of trail will connect a section of trail between Indiana and Michigan. The project was approved for an assortment of grant funding, with an anticipated local match of about $135,000.

Residents and trail enthusiasts will have the chance to find out more about the project during the open house. Though, DeLucia is also encouraging residents to provide feedback on the township’s five parks, too.

The timing for the feedback is particularly important because the township’s master plan for the parks expires in 2018 and officials are hoping to give the next five-year plan for the area’s parks a total revamp.

DeLucia said she hopes to hear what residents have seen and liked in parks outside of Niles Township so that those ideas can potentially be added to the township’s parks — whether it’s a skating rink or play equipment for children.

“When you have parents that are taking their kids to different parks, they can bring ideas back,” DeLucia said.

Already, DeLucia said park officials are considering the addition of things like a bike fixit station, where residents can repair their bikes or fill their tires along a path or park.

“We are looking at things like that that will enhance experience on the trail,” DeLucia said.

DeLucia said creating a master plan could help the township to be eligible for grant funding.

“If you want to qualify for certain grants, they want to know what is your plan for this money,” DeLucia said.

Residents are also invited to take a survey about their local parks to garner additional feedback. The survey will be available in hard copy at the open house. The surveys must be completed by Aug. 17. An online version of the survey will be available on the township website within the next week.

DeLucia reminded residents that they can provide their feedback, complaints and concerns about the parks year-round by contacting their local officials. Those who wish to provide feedback but cannot attend the open house can call the Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Department at (269) 684-0870 extension 10.

“We will go where people want to go, we just have to have some method for feedback,” DeLucia said.