The stock market is volatile. Real estate is uncertain. But your investment in parks will last for generations.
YOU DID IT! With your generous support in 2018, the Foundation was able to assist with several major Ottawa County Parks projects.
- You helped add beautiful 345-acre Ottawa Sands to the County Park system – an amazing accomplishment that we thought was out of reach just a few years ago. This wonderful open space now links public parkland for miles through coastal dunes along Lake Michigan.
- You made possible tremendous progress toward completing the Grand River Greenway Trail and Idema Explorers Trail, a scenic, non-motorized path that will allow people to hike and bike across the entire county, all the way from Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan, along the south side of the mighty Grand River. This continues to be our top priority in 2019 as we near the final stretch of our fundraising effort.
- You contributed to purchase of the Moss House, an historic property inholding at the Bend Area. It’s likely this structure will be restored and renovated for public use. We also hope to see the Bend Area fully owned and developed into a major park in the next decade.
- Because of you, there will soon be an astronomical observatory at the Nature Education. The Foundation is supporting the efforts of the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association in building a permanent stand-alone facility for public use.
But it doesn’t stop there. We have a “wish list” of projects, small and large, all over the county, but they won’t happen without public support. YOUR support.
You may have given $10 or $10,000, but every little bit, when put together, was substantial. Combined, your dollars helped Ottawa County Parks accomplish things that wouldn’t have been possible with their limited operating budget. And that is exactly why we formed this Foundation.
The stock market is volatile. Real estate is uncertain. But your investment in parks will last for generations.
Please watch your email for our monthly e-newsletters. We want you to be able to get out and enjoy the parks you are investing in, so we’re planning some fun events for 2019! We also will be featuring info each month about some county parks you may not be familiar with.
The entire Foundation Board is deeply grateful for your support and encouragement. Let’s continue to work together in 2019.
Bobbi Jones Sabine
President, Board of Directors
Ottawa County Parks Foundation
The weather this winter has not been ideal for snowshoeing or skiing, but it has been great for enjoying a hike. Here are some of our favorite parks for a winter hike:
Grand Ravines South, 3991 Fillmore St, Jenison.
Hemlock Crossing, 8115 West Olive Rd, West Olive.
Ottawa Sands, 18153 North Shore Dr., Ferrysburg
Riley Trails, 16300 Riley St, Holland.
|
The Ottawa County Parks Foundation would like to welcome Kellee Kortas to the Board of Directors. Kellee is the Talent Solutions Program Manager at Lakeshore Advantage.
Kellee moved to the Holland area from the east side of the state for school. Part of the draw for her to stay in the area after school was our parks and all of the outdoor activities in the area. She loves the outdoors and is passionate about taking care of the environment, living well, and cake. Kellee and Breck, her 2.5 year old Blue Heeler/Boarder Collie mix, enjoy exploring the parks.
Kellee is a certified yoga instructor. She teaches mostly at the Holland Area Arts Council with our Art for All class and at Ben’s Hope. She is also a past Art Prize artist.
|
March 23 at 5 - 8 PM, Hemlock Crossing County Park - Art for the Parks - Join the Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective for their biggest show of the year as they transform The Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing County Park into an art filled space. 60+ local artists and 200+ original works. Live music. Cash Bar. Light snacks. A $10 donation is suggested at the door and 10% of all art sold to benefit the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.
May 16 at 7 PM, Hemlock Crossing County Park - Veterans of the Ottawa County Poor Farm - From Old Soldiers Homes that cared for Civil War veterans to the V.A. today, Americans have recognized the responsibility to provide haven for our nation’s wounded and aging warriors. But, not all in need found their way to those facilities. It seems oddly shameful and compassionate that a few, who ranged in service to the War of 1812 to World War II, both men and women, would end up at the Ottawa County Poor Farm. This is their story, one of patriotism, sacrifice, and remembrance.
|
