By now, most have heard that long-time Parks Director John Scholtz is retiring in June 2019. He leaves an impressive legacy and some very big shoes to fill.

John has been with Ottawa County Parks since the department was established, over three decades ago. He has provided an exemplary vision which we are well on the way to realizing, for a first-class county park system which serves many sectors of our population and our many visitors. He has fostered a culture of pride and customer service, as well as a reputation for one of the best county parks systems, certainly in the state, and likely nationally as well. He has provided a rich treasure trove of diverse outdoor spaces that anyone in the county can use.

How did John do all this? Vision. Patience. Great long-term planning. Superb interpersonal and communication skills. Creative sources of funding. The ability to juggle multiple complex problems and not drop the ball.

However, if you ask John, a master of humility, he will tell you it was the outstanding support staff, or the ability to get grants, or the wonderful existing natural resource base that was available to us. But we know that it was John behind all of that – his ability to select great support staff, his relationships with State of Michigan parks people and trust-fund decision-makers, his keen awareness of ecology, his perseverance, and his dogged determination to do it right.

Sure, we are not done yet – the grand plan is not complete. But John (who truly deserves to retire!) has left us with a solid schematic for the next ten years. It’s up to us to help get it done.

How can we thank him enough? John, being who he is, declines personal recognition or gifts or laudatory accolades. But you can thank him with a gift in his honor to the Parks Foundation. Please help us continue to realize John’s long-term vision. We’ll make sure he knows about every single gift in his honor. And we will use all of your support to help carry on his legacy.

Making a gift in John's honor is as simple as making a gift securely online at http://www.ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/donations-in-johns-honor/. We will be glad to pass along any personal messages of congratulations to John.

We hope you can join us for John's retirement party on Wednesday, June 5 from 4:30-6:30 pm (short program at 5:15 pm) at the Ottawa County Parks Nature Center located in Hemlock Crossing County Park.

Best Parks for Lake Michigan Beach Access

Kirk Park, 9791 Lakeshore Dr N, West Olive

North Beach Park, 18775 North Shore Dr, Ferrysburg 

Olive Shores, 8555 Olive Shore Ave, West Olive

Tunnel Park, 66 Lakeshore Dr N, Holland

Motor vehicle parking fees are in effect from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend for these parks. Park passes are available for purchase at North Beach Park, Kirk Park, Tunnel Park, Oaklea Party Store, Hemlock Crossing Park, and the Administrative Office in the Fillmore Complex.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Veterans of the Ottawa County Poor Farm presentation on May 16. A very special thank you to Marjie Viveen for uncovering their stories and sharing them.