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Visit the Ottawa County Parks Program and Events Calendar for details and registration. Call the Nature Education Center for more information: 616-786-4847.
 Kayak by Moonlight
Adventure is out there! Herrick District Library is hosting a kayaking trip at Hemlock Crossing. Participants will enjoy a 3-mile nighttime kayak trip on the Pigeon River. Bring your own kayak and life jacket or borrow one for free. Registration required. Age 18+.
 Join us for a sneak peek & dedication of Ottawa County’s newest park property Stearns Creek Park! Event details:
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June 27 | 4-6 pm -- Ceremony from 4-4:30 pm
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*Please note that the park is not open to the public until this event. We are working on marking trails and prepping it for visitors. Please hold off on a visit until this event or after.
Exciting news!
Our new Parks Director has been selected. Jason Shamblin will begin with Ottawa County on June 24. Welcome to the team, Jason!
Read more about him here.
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Adventure Camps are now open for registration!
Cruisin' the Pigeon River
July 18 from 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM at Hemlock Crossing
Hike, Bike, Paddle
July 23, 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM at Pine Bend
July 30, 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM at Connor Bayou
Outdoor Survival Camp
July 8-10, 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM at Pigeon Creek Park
August 6-8, 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM at Pigeon Creek Park
Jr. Naturalist Day Camp - various dates, times and locations
All the Adventure Camps are designed for ages 11-14. Call the Nature Center at 616-786-4847 for details and to register. Registration required.
 Call to register: 616-786-4847
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Astronomy at the Nature Center
Public telescope observing after sunset. Weather permitting. Dress appropriately and a bring lawn chair, bug spray, and cover your flashlight with a red lens.
No registration required.
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Pigeon River Kayaking Trip
Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring along the Pigeon River by kayak as you paddle the 3.5 mile stretch to and from Pine Bend.
Each trip includes a basic kayaking lesson. No experience is needed. The fee is $8 per person with an additional $26 fee for kayak & equipment rental. A detailed letter will be sent prior to the trip.
Registration required.
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Outdoor East Summer Camp - Food Chain Frenzy
June 13, 9:30 AM- 11:30 AM at Hager Park
Investigating food chains and who is part of them, from bugs & birds to fish & flowers!
Registration required, please call the Nature Center at 616-786-4847 to register.
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Whistle of the Whip-poor-will
Introduce yourselves to this summer whistler of the moonlit woods! A short presentation at the Nature Center will be followed by a moonlit field trip to a few of its local haunts to experience this bird first-hand!
Adults and children 12+, registration required.
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Nesting Birds Field Trip
June 15, 6:00 AM- 12:00 PM at various locations
Migrant birds have passed and the resident nesters have settled in. Visit several local hotspots to identify a variety of notable breeding songbirds and waterbirds.
Registration required.
*Details and meeting location will be emailed in advance to those registered.
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Fishing for Drum
Learn to catch, clean, and cook big fish from the shore! The freshwater drum is a native fish that eats invasive species. Bring your own fishing equipment and a valid Michigan fishing license (youth under 17 years of age do not need a license). A limited number of loaner rods will be available.
Registration required.
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Wildlife Encounter - Kids! Serpents of the Sand: Hognose Snake
Hognose Snakes, a.k.a. "spreading cobra", or "puff-adder", are nature's little actors. Find how they got these misleading names and discover to what lengths this incredibly talented creature goes to in order to dissuade would-be predators. Then hike the park in search of this "serpent of the sand".
The Wildlife Encounter-Kids! series introduces children to wildlife found in our own yards, parks and region; includes activities, walk and craft. Program is geared for children ages 5-12 years. Children must be accompanied with an adult.
Registration required.
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Young Red-bellied Woodpecker, photo by@cst_snapshots
We want to see your park photos. Connect with us on Instagram by tagging your park photos @OttawaCountyParks or #OttawaCountyParks
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