The South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrates the Grand Opening

of the New South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods

South Haven, MI – October 15, 2026- A new space for South Haven’s four-legged residents and their people is officially open. The South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate the grand opening of the new South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods with a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a community-driven project years in the making.

The five-acre public dog park began as a vision shared by local community leaders and dog owners who wanted to create a free, public space where dogs and their people could enjoy the outdoors together.

The idea began taking shape in early 2024 as leaders from the South Haven Area Recreation Authority (SHARA), Visit South Haven, the City of South Haven and South Haven Township began meeting with local advocates about a new community dog park. At the same time, SHARA was working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to acquire the more than 50-acre Riverwoods property along Blue Star Highway, next to the Kal-Haven Trail, for community recreation. With the property designated for outdoor recreation, a five-acre dog park within a wooded portion of Riverwoods became a natural fit.

In late 2024, a group of local dog owners who had previously been involved with South Haven’s members-only Eighth Avenue Dog Park began working to make the vision a reality. With SHARA as the property owner and an initial project estimate of $150,000 to $180,000, the all-volunteer South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods initiative began fundraising in late 2025.

The community responded in a big way. Between November 2025 and July 2026, more than $200,000 was raised through cash gifts, including a $50,000 crowdfunding matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Local contractors and businesses also contributed more than $50,000 in in-kind donations. The success of the campaign allowed the project to grow beyond its original plans and fully realize the vision for a significant public dog park.

“Throughout the dreaming and actualization of this capital campaign and construction project, I have been amazed and delighted by the dedicated volunteer leadership for this initiative, the deep generosity of the people of this community and the heart for this project exhibited by local contractors,” said Project Director Robert Linstrom. “We are excited to share this new Bark Park with friends, neighbors and their dogs, and to serve with SHARA leaders as stewards of this wonderful new space in the years to come.”

The completed Bark Park features separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, two water stations, a dozen benches, a perimeter walking path, a pavilion, dog waste bag stations and open areas for dogs to run and play. The park’s wooded setting also provides plenty of shade for dogs and their owners.

The community can continue to support the Bark Park through volunteer opportunities, memorial bricks along the entrance walkway and donations to an endowment fund established through the South Haven Area Community Foundation. The endowment was launched with a generous $50,000 seed gift to help support the park for years to come.

The South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates the South Haven Bark Park at Riverwoods Board of Directors, SHARA, the many volunteers, donors, contractors and community partners who helped bring this vision to life. The new Bark Park is a wonderful addition to South Haven’s outdoor recreation opportunities and a place for the community to enjoy time outside together—four paws at a time.

Contact:  Olivia Thompson

South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce

606 Phillips Street, South Haven, MI 49090

Phone:  269-637-5171

Email:   events@southhavenmi.com

Web: www.southhavenmi.com

###