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NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP — With 2023 officially in the books, Niles Charter Township Supervisor Marge Durm-Hiatt was proud of the progress the township was able to make.

Durm-Hiatt highlighted several achievements the township experienced in 2023, including being awarded with a $908,700 DNR Spark Grant to fund improvements to Community Park, including the construction of 10 pickleball courts and a new shelter to replace the old building that has been demolished. The awarded grant is the largest in the history of Niles Charter Township.

The park shelter, which was built circa 1940, was shuttered in 2020 due to COVID and was in poor condition. Last year, the Niles Township Park Board commissioned Wightman to study the park shelter, and help develop a master plan to bring the park back to life. In December 2022, Niles Township demolished the building and disposed of all hazards and debris.

The park is approximately 33 acres in size with Brandywine Creek running through it. The township will look at adding the new shelter and connecting it to the current Indian-Michigan River Valley Trail that runs along 3rd Street. 

Durm-Hiatt said the township is now seeking requests for proposals for the park improvements. “I just think it will be wonderful,” she said. “I think people have missed having a pavilion in the park. We’re hoping to connect that park to the bike trail. We have beautiful walking trails down there.”

In addition, Durm-Hiatt said that a new pumper truck for the Niles Charter Township Fire Department was delivered from Spencer Manufacturing in South Haven, Michigan after a committee recommended the design and necessary equipment for the truck. She added that a second truck that was ordered should be arriving any day.

The township also began the groundwork for the renovation and expansion of the township hall on Bell Road that Durm-Hiatt hopes will progress in 2024. According to township officials, the current township hall has served the community since the 1960s and currently lacks the space and the infrastructure to meet the growing demands and needs of the community and township staff.

Chikaming Open Lands acquired a new nature preserve in Niles Charter Township last month.  Situated in the St. Joseph River Watershed, the 40-acre forested property, COL hopes to develop a trail system through the preserve this year.

“That will be something to look forward to,” Durm-Hiatt said. “It will be a nice new asset to the township.”

As the 2024 election inches closer, the township has been hard at work preparing and adjusting to changes such as early voting.

“It has altered the election process,” Durm-Hiatt said. “People also have to decide if they’re running or not.”

The township is looking forward to more business investment in 2024 following a 2023 that saw Harbor Freight tools open and First Source Bank break ground on a new location in the township. 

“We’re looking forward to a good year,” Durm-Hiatt said. “We’re always encouraging new business and looking forward to expansion commercially…Housing is still going crazy in the township. We’re excited about new people.”