SOUTH BEND, IND. -- Several northern Indiana and southern Michigan counties may link up their recreational trails and parks to boost cross-state tourism.

The Michiana Regional Greenways team considering the idea includes landscape architects, planners, park board members, city and county officials and even biking and equestrian groups from the two states.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and National Park Service is taking part, as are tourism and convention officials who see potential for new dollars being spent in the area, said Chuck Lehman, a Mishawaka architect heading the group.

Included in the effort are Indiana's St. Joseph, Elkhart, Starke, Marshall, LaPorte and Kosciusko counties, and Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties in Michigan.

The group began meeting last fall on a volunteer basis, but a larger discussion is expected this summer to brainstorm and map out plans.

"The premise was how counties and communities could connect themselves to each other. That's not typical (with greenways), because of our jurisdictional lines," Lehman said.

One example mentioned is LaSalle Trail on South Bend's north side, which is slated to be expanded up to the state line.

Evie Kirkwood, director of St. Joseph County Parks in Indiana, said it's "silly" for a walking trail to stop at a state line.

The Michiana Greenways idea is similar to recent discussions in the Chicago and Indianapolis areas. Officials in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties in Indiana have had similar talks, Lehman said.