EDWARDSBURG — For the first time last week, many Edwardsburg residents, some walking their dogs, others going out for their morning run, were able to move safely along US-12, thanks to a recently unveiled non-motorized pathway.

Last Wednesday, the Edwardsburg Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of a half-mile, non-motorized path that officials say will increase public safety and recreation. The trail, which begins at an existing pedestrian crosswalk at Claire Street, runs along the north side of US-12, connecting the village of Edwardsburg to the Edwardsburg Sports Complex. The project was a partnership between the Cass County Road Commission, the Edwardsburg Sports Complex, Ontwa Township, the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.

“This is the result of a lot of years of hard work,” said Ed Patzer, president of the sports complex. “We are very excited about today.”

The goal of the project was to provide a safe, off-road walkway and biking path for Edwardsburg residents and student athletes traveling from the schools to the Edwardsburg Sports Complex, according to ESC officials. Additionally, officials said the path could provide health benefits to the entire community and potentially improve air quality by reducing auto emissions.

“The path is safer because it gets the kids off of the road, keeps them from driving their own vehicles, which is certainly safer,” Patzer said.

The cost of the project was split into two phases: a preliminary engineering and design phase in 2015, which cost $18,323, and a 2018 construction phase, which cost $185,325. Both phases were funded through a federal CMAQ grant awarded to the Cass County Road Commission that covered 80 percent of costs. The remaining 20 percent was paid locally.

After the years and costs put into the work on the connector path, both local officials and ESC representatives said they believe the path was worth the wait and will help to move Edwardsburg in a positive direction.

Ontwa Township Supervisor Jerry Marchetti said he thought the path was “excellent” and that he has already seen its impact in people using it for exercise, dog walking and recreation.

“[The path] is a real plus and a first for our community,” he said after last week’s ribbon cutting. “We don’t have any other connector path in the area, and you can already see how popular it is.”

“This connects us to everyone in the village,” Patzer added. “We want to be a part of the community, so this is not just for the kids alone. The wellbeing of the community is very important to us.”

While the path may have just opened to the public, already officials are looking at ways to improve and expand. Joe Bellina, Cass County Road Commission engineer, said the next step would be to work to install a high-intensity activated crosswalk beacon, better known as a HAWK signal, on US-12 to allow pedestrians to more safely cross the road. Even further down the road, Patzer said he would like to see the path continued.

Until then, Patzer said he hopes the community and Edwardsburg students utilize the trail and find it beneficial.

“This is a big thing for this community,” he said.