Midwest Continental Divide Land Use and Trail Master Plan
The Vision: To seamlessly connect the South Bend region’s key natural and attractions into one system that becomes a leading ecotourism destination and fosters a vibrant, united community that preserves and regenerates our natural assets, highlights our cultural history, and develops a sustainable future while driving new visitors and new residents to the South Bend region.
The Midwest Continental Divide Initiative is a long-term effort to conserve, connect, and celebrate the natural, cultural, agricultural, and recreational assets of western St. Joseph County. Through a coordinated approach to planning, conservation, tourism, and infrastructure investment, the Initiative seeks to:
Establish the Midwest Continental Divide as a nationally significant recreation, conservation, and ecotourism destination.
Protect and enhance the region's natural habitats, waterways, wetlands, forests, and agricultural landscapes.
Celebrate and interpret the area's unique cultural, Native American, agricultural, and environmental heritage.
Connect communities, parks, natural areas, waterways, and destinations through a comprehensive trail and greenway network.
Support sustainable economic development, tourism, and quality-of-life investments.
Foster regional collaboration among local governments, community organizations, conservation partners, businesses, and residents
The Midwest Continental Divide Land Use and Trail Master Plan serves as the guiding framework for implementing this vision. The Midwest Continental Divide Commission will use the Plan to:
Evaluate and develop trail route alternatives.
Determine preferred trail alignments and implementation priorities.
Guide the phased development of trail infrastructure and supporting amenities.
Identify opportunities for conservation, habitat restoration, and land preservation.
Coordinate land use decisions with trail, conservation, and economic development objectives.
Pursue local, state, federal, philanthropic, and private funding opportunities.
Coordinate with local governments, property owners, and partner organizations.
Continue public and stakeholder engagement throughout implementation.
Monitor progress and refine priorities over time.
Ensure future investments and development activities align with the vision and recommendations established in the Master Plan.
