Harbor Shores Development

People at first BH community picnic like the upgrades

By RALPH HEIBUTZKI H-P Correspondent

BENTON HARBOR - Judging by the responses, the upgraded Jean Klock Park looks like a blockbuster hit.

People attending the city of Benton Harbor's first annual community picnic Saturday at Jean Klock Park liked what they saw, including the new sidewalks and a revamped parking system that brings them closer to the beach.

For Benton Harbor resident Gloria Gordon, however, the biggest draw wasn't the food, games, inflatable attractions, or live funk, hip-hop and R&B music.

Asked what brought her out Saturday with her 1-year-old son, Xaviun, Gordon laughed:  "It's nice outside, and they've got cold water.  Plus, it's my son's first time to the beach, so he can have fun."

Debra Price, also of Benton Harbor, also came to the point, when asked what improvements she liked most:  "Just how they've cleaned it up, put in sidewalks, more areas to ride through."

Non-residents like Jenifer Jackson, of Cincinnati, who brought her sons Phoenix, 13, and Thunder, 6, and daughter Fauna, 9 were equally impressed.

"We did come a long way to be here, and we were so excited when this was happening here," said Jackson, who was in town to visit her sisters, who live in Benton Harbor.  "My kids, as soon as we pulled in, said ‘We want to move here.' We were real excited."

Organizers estimated 2,000 to 3,000 turned out for the event, but Benton Harbor City Manager Richard Marsh saw a bigger point beyond those numbers.

"This is to let citizens know this is their beach, we appreciate them, we value them, and that's why everything out here is free," Marsh said. "We want them to see how beautiful it is out here, and we want them to come back."

No city funds were used for Saturday's event, because Whirlpool Corp. and the Harbor Shores Development Corp. picked up most of the costs, along with our other sponsors, Marsh said.

Tina Mason, a driver for the city's Dial-A-Ride bus system, estimated that she'd transported 70 people between 3 and 4 p.m.

"Actually, I didn't expect that many," Mason said.  "It's the fact that it's finally something to do in Benton Harbor, and that it's free."

Benton Township resident George Moon had politics on his mind, as he passed out flyers touting the candidacy of Marcus Muhammad and Duane B. Seats II, who are running for the Benton Harbor City Commission.

Although excited by the turnout, Moon remains critical of the city's stance toward the Harbor Shores development, the main backdrop for the improvements happening at the park.

"They (Muhammad and Seats) can't resolve what has already occurred, but they can make sure that Benton Harbor holds the keys, not Harbor Shores, Cornerstone Alliance, or Whirlpool," Moon said. "We need them, and I hope people turn out and vote for ‘em."

Kalii Kyle, a broadcaster for the city's radio station, was among 40 volunteers working on Saturday.

"I actually volunteered to see how many people were going to show for it, considering it's so far away from the city," Kyle said. "I know, from talking with the city manager, this is a lot more than what we were expecting."

Like other residents questioned about the impact of Harbor Shores, Kyle says he's reserving judgment.

"I believe in development, I believe that things have got to progress," Kyle said. "But, at the same time, you've got make sure that people who have lived there aren't being forced out, due to that development."

Gordon's brother, Jerry Gordon Kimble of Benton Harbor, said he appreciated the improvements, but also questioned whether the project will have a positive impact. "Let's hope it'll be good because the things you always pray for, you don't always get," he said.

Benton Harbor Mayor Wilce Cooke saw something else going on.

"It's an overwhelming success for the city, because our citizens can come out in their park, and enjoy themselves," Cooke said. "It dispels the rumor that Jean Klock Park no longer belongs to the residents.

"Now that residents have seen the improvements, we have to make sure they can come out, and enjoy the park. That's the whole point."

For Benton Harbor Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Crenshaw, the realigned parking is the first of many improvements that he doesn't see stopping at the water's edge.

"If you look out here, there's been about a million dollars put into this park, at no cost to the city," Crenshaw said.  "Like I say, it's opening the door for what's to come for the residents of Benton Harbor."

Event coordinators included Marsh, City Commissioners Ricky Hill, David Shaw and Rahim Abdullah; and Donna Roseman, Johnny Edwards, Robert Walker, William Booker and Willie Montgomery.