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Parks Permits Parking fees are collected from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day at the following parks: Tunnel Park Rosy Mound Natural Area Olive Shores North Beach Park Kirk Park An annual motor vehicle permit is required at the Riverside Park boat launch Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Annual Permit Pricing Resident: $15  /  Resident Seniors (60+): $7 Resident multi-vehicle: Annual pass + $5 Resident hang tag: $20 Resident senior hang tag: $12 Non-resident (incl. seniors): $25 Annual permits may be purchased at the Nature Education Center, the Parks Office, most lakeshore park entrance gates during the summer, and the Oaklea Store (near Riverside Park).  The Michigan State Recreation Passport is not valid at Ottawa County Parks. Bridge Card holders may receive free parks passes!

Ottawa County Parks offers a variety of fun and educational summer camps. Check out the summer camp schedule online!

Did you know... Ottawa County Parks developed a water trail along the Grand River? Check out water trail maps, access points,  points of interest, and plan your trip down the Grand River: miOttawa.org/OC_GRHT Along the Grand River there are four universally accessible kayak launches: Grand River Park Grand Ravines Eastmanville Bayou Connor Bayou Coming soon:  Historic Ottawa Beach (learn more below) Don't have a kayak? Join us for a trip along the Pigeon River this summer!  July 13 July 28

Ottawa Sand update

Project recap:

• Last fall the current owner offered to sell the property based on an appraisal of $11.2 million. The owner also offered to donate 25% of the land value to serve as match in a grant proposal to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. 
• In December 2017, the MNRTF Board recommended that a $4.2 million grant be awarded with encouragement to submit a phase two grant request for the remaining $4.2 million needed to finalize the purchase in 2019.
• The grant recommendation has been approved State Legislature and Governor. 

Property appraisals are complete and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan plans to assist in the purchase of the second parcel of land after the legislature appropriates the funds and the formal grant agreement is in place for the initial parcel.

Following the agreement, the Land Conservancy will help raise approximately $200,000 to cover their interest and other holding costs.

Learn more about this project. 

Historic Ottawa Beach Parks

Grant awarded for universal kayak launch on Lake Macatawa

Ottawa County Parks has been awarded a Coastal Zone Management grant for a fifth universal kayak launch. The new launch will be located at Historic Ottawa Beach, situated near a dock at the future Ottawa Beach Marina. Construction on the marina will begin in the fall. Plans for the new marina will include some kayak storage. 

New Pump House Exhibit Over the summer, the Pump House Museum will host a new exhibit: Big Red: From Aid to Navigation to Cultural Icon The exhibit will highlight all Lake Michigan lighthouses and how museum visitors can help preserve them. Also featured will be a recent donation to the Museum, the only surviving original guest register from the Hotel Ottawa.  Pump House Museum Summer Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 4-8 pm Saturday & Sunday 1-5 pm

Idema Explorers Trail Final paving of the 3.9-mile segment in Robinson Township is now complete; signs and other amenities are being added. The trailhead parking lot at the intersection of North Cedar Drive and M-231 offers easy access to the trail, as well as the pedestrian bridge crossing to the Spoonville Trail. Click here to learn more about the work planned for 2018. Grant Funding Update This spring a state Aquatic Habitat Grant for restoration work at Riverside Park was approved. Learn more about this project here.  Two acquisition projects funded by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund are underway: Appraisals are in process for the Bend Area acquisition and will be submitted to the DNR upon completion. Learn more about this project. Environmental and appraisal work will begin on the Stearns Creek acquisition soon! Learn more about this project.

Sensory trail at Grand River Park

Theodore (Tas) Stoetzner of Boy Scout Troop 354 of Jenison completed his Eagle Scout project by constructing the park system’s first sensory trail in May.  “I chose this project to help kids and families who live with autism enjoy the parks and be outside more. When I was learning about trails, I learned that autistic children sometimes have challenges with senses and decided that I should help them with four stations to help them hear, see, and feel different things in nature,” said Tas.

The sensory stations

1. At two listening stations, users can identify the local birds and their calls. 
2. At the walk through station, users will walk on pinecones, stones, woodchips, and logs to feel different textures.  
3. At the manual dexterity station, children can dig and find 15 hidden paving stones, each with different textures.  
4. The yoga station is intended to help users stretch their bodies and enjoy their surroundings.

Adopt-a-Park Recognizing that this trail would need extra attention and upkeep, the Parks Department required Tas to recruit a local organization or business to adopt the trail. Tas connected with Autism Support of West Shore, and they agreed to sign on as Adopt-a-Park volunteers. ”Having sensory trails in parks throughout West Michigan makes parks more accessible. Many children with autism have sensory challenges, either under or over stimulation, and these trails allow children to engage their senses in a safe, natural setting. Those who seek extra movement like running or extended walks can also utilize the trail, with the added bonus of the sensory input. Our children are often not successful in what would be considered child-friendly places for play and enjoyment. The Autism Support of West Shore board saw this as an opportunity for children on the spectrum to have a place to go and enjoy the outdoors providing them a unique sensory experiences in nature.  Autism Support of West Shore is proud to collaborate with Tas and Ottawa County Parks on this unique venture.” — Linda Ellenbaas, Autism Support of West Shore

Paw Paw Park playground

Make sure to plan a visit to the new playground at Paw Paw Park (West) in Holland with your kids or grand kids!

Public Observatory Plans The Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association (SAAA) is raising funds for West Michigan’s first public observatory! The $65,000 observatory is planned for Hemlock Crossing County Park, near the Nature Education Center. Plans can be found online. The Ottawa County Parks Foundation as well as the Friends of Ottawa County Parks have each donated $2,500, and Ottawa County Parks donated $5,000 toward the effort, pushing them just over half way to their goal. They have raised approximately $35,000 so far. If you are interested in supporting this endeavor, please visit the SAAA online.

Riverside Restoration

This spring, the Aquatic Habitat Grant program approved funds for a restoration project at Riverside Park. The two-phased project will improve aquatic habitat quality and fish passage along the Grand River by restoring the connection between Kirby Bayou and the river.  In the first phase of the project, a perched culvert that currently impedes fish passage will be replaced with a larger culvert that will be sunk and lined with natural material. A similar culvert will be installed on the east side of the park to re-connect the bayou. Frequent visitors to Riverside know that the road near this bayou is frequently closed due to flooding. These culverts will help! Ottawa County Parks applied for a National Fish & Wildlife grant to cover the cost of the second phase of this project: stabilizing 500' of riverbank using natural shoreline techniques. Stabilization of the river bank will reduce the sediment load into the river.  Funding for phase two has not been approved, but the use of grant funds and the county’s match to complete phase one should illustrate our commitment to the project.  More info about this project.

Prescribed Browsing Project

The eco goats have returned for another year! This summer they will call Riverside Park home and will munch on woody invasives and poison ivy. 

Many of the goats gave birth this spring, so the crew has expanded! You may visit, but be careful if you touch them... poison ivy oils stay on their fur.

Thank you to Paul Busman, the volunteer veterinarian who donated time and material to the pre- and post-natal care of the mothers and baby goats!

We need more volunteers to help with the goats! Do you have 4-H experience? Or other agricultural experience? If so, please complete a volunteer application. 

In 2017, Ottawa County Parks completed its first Sustainability Plan. The plan is divided into three equally important parts: Environmental Sustainability Protecting our natural land Social Sustainability Keeping our community engaged & healthy Economic Sustainability Ensuring that funds exist for the future Throughout the year, we will highlight some of the ways we have committed to sustainability as a Parks Department. Some are more traditional and others may surprise you. View the full five-year plan online.

June

Focus: Social Sustainability

In an effort to increase inclusiveness in the parks system, as well as welcome more visitors, Ottawa County Parks will be translating summer camp promotional material and scholarship forms to Spanish. 

We are also committed to increasing awareness of our Parks Permit Waiver for individuals whose income qualifies them to receive benefits through Health & Human Services (valid Bridge Card is required). 

July Focus: Environmental Sustainability In July we will host two blitz cleaning events at Riverside Park. The blitz events give boaters tips and simple cleaning techniques to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, like zebra mussels. Plus, it’s a free boat cleaning! These events are hosted in partnership with the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds.

August

Focus: Environmental Sustainability

We will continue to review our mowing plan to determine where we can decrease mowing, helping to save money on fuel and potentially increase shoreline/bank stability.

Shorelines of inland lakes in Michigan lack trees, shrubs, and plants, but many of the things residents love about lake-front living depend on this natural vegetation! 

Within the parks system, we are continuously trying to improve our shorelines. In 2012, we implemented major improvements along the inland lake at Grose Park. Prior to restoration work we were mowing right up to the shoreline, had nearly no native vegetation, and were experiencing continous issues with erosion. The improvements were completed many years ago, and the work is paying off! 

Improvements & outcomes at Grose Park

• Decreased mowing area by 3,000 sq. ft.
• Planted native flowers, trees, and shrubs, creating a buffer between the shore and recreation area
• Stronger, more stable shoreline

How are native plants and natural vegetation along a shoreline more sustainable?

• Helps keep the lake clean by slowing and filtering runoff
• Allows more water to be absorbed into the ground
• Provides needed shade for keeping the water cooler for fish and other wildlife
• Protects lake edge from wave and ice erosion, especially when there is a good mixture of native plants both on the land and in the water

Information adapted from: mishorelinepartnership.org

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HWA Task Force Update

Surveys continue for Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). So far, the pest is still limited to known areas between Fennville and Mears.  The contractor for treatment on private land has been hired, and treatment will be prioritized by from north to south, since there is a much greater population of hemlock trees in northern Michigan.

If you think your hemlock trees may be infested with HWA, there is still time to contact the task force for treatment recommendations. Use the contact form online.

Do you live in a subdivision or homeowner’s association? Consider gathering your neighbors to check for the pest. One of our partner organizations, the Ottawa Conservation District, can join you on-site to help you and your neighbors survey and identify HWA. 

>> The Forest Beach neighborhood in Holland organized a survey in May. Learn more here!

Click here to check out all of our summer programs!

Register for a summer program or camp!

New!  Homeschool Programs Are you homeschooling any 10-13 year olds?  Do you desire for your kids to engage and explore more in the outdoors?    Our Homeschool Explorers monthly program begins this September and will meet once a month through May. In this program kids ages 10-13 will be introduced to several Ottawa County Parks and while learning to properly navigate a natural landscape, make observations and record what they experience with words and art.   Each session will build upon the previous one and each will relate to what is happening throughout the seasons. Cost for the entire program (all 9 sessions) is $225.00 per participant and must be paid upon registration Registration is now open! September 17, 2018 October 15, 2018 November 19, 2018 December 10, 2018 January 14, 2019 February 11, 2019 March 18, 2019 April 15, 2019 May 13, 2019 Interested in staying up to date on homeschool programs? Subscribe to our new email list for homeschool families by signing up here.

Just for teachers...

Are you a teacher/educator in Ottawa County? We have an email list just for you! We offer a number of curriculum-based nature programs and service-based learning opportunities. If you would like to stay up-to-date on the programs we offer, you can sign up here. 

Ottawa County Parks Foundation Update

Progress continues to be made on fundraising for the Grand River Greenway and the Idema Explorers Trail with a $50,000 gift from the Consumers Energy Foundation.

“We appreciate the Consumers Energy Foundation’s support of the Grand River Greenway,” said Monica Verplank, co-chair of the Grand River Greenway Committee. “Recent studies continue to illustrate the positive affect even a brief dose of nature has on our overall well being. As community leaders we have a responsibility to encourage and support healthy lifestyle options for our community members. Providing access to green space and connecting our communities with the Idema Explorers Trail is a key piece of our vision. We couldn’t do it without the support of our partners.”

Thank you to the Breakfast at the Park event sponsors!

Gold Leadership Sponsor: Dickson Wright 

Leadership Sponsor & Adopt-a-Park Company: Tyson Foods

Community Sponsors: Baird, Barber Ford of Holland, Prein&Newhof, Tim & Jane Stoepker

Community Sponsors & Adopt-a-Park Company: Chow Hound Pet Supplies

Friend Sponsors: GEI Consultants, Kennari Consulting, Scott & Julie Reenders, David & Barb VanGinhoven 

Join us for an event!  Old Times, Places, and Faces along the Grand River Greenway

Board member and local historian Marjorie Viveen will be presenting stories from the Grand River Greenway throughout 2018.

Immerse yourself in local history by joining us for this free series at the Nature Education Center at Hemlock Crossing County Park at 10 am on July 14.

The Ottawa County Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, so donations qualify as tax-deductible. 

>> Learn more about the Parks Foundation. 

>> Sign up for Parks Foundation emails.

Rosy Mound Natural Area

Photo by @lola_granola

Our featured photo of the season is the Instagram photo we shared that received the most likes. We want to see your Parks photos! Share them with us on Instagram (#ottawacountyparks), Facebook, or via email!