Pigeon Creek Park offers groomed, lit cross-country ski trails, ski and snowshoe rentals for adults and children, ski lessons, sledding hill, and warming lodge with concessions.
Important Reminder: Hiking, dogs, and horses are not allowed at Pigeon Creek Park once winter operations begin.
Not feeling steady on your skis? Join us for a lesson!
Ski Lesson Pricing: $8 for 1½ hour lesson. Skis are not provided but can be rented at the lodge on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the schedule online.
The Ottawa County Parks Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing offers snowshoe rentals for adults and children (4+) at the Nature Center. Hemlock Crossing does not rent skis, but cross-country skiing is welcome on the trails. Hiking and dogs are allowed on the trails on-leash.
Find a family-friendly winter walk or snowshoe program: miOttawa.org/OCPevents
Riley Trails offers 10+ miles of ungroomed cross-country ski trails and is a destination for fat tire bikes. Never tried it? Test one with Velo City Cycles on December 14 from 9 am-12 pm. Hiking and dogs are allowed on the trails on-leash
Ski & Snowshoe Rental Pricing
3-hour ski rental at Pigeon Creek:
- $8 per person
- $2 per additional hour
3-hour snowshoe rental at Pigeon Creek & Hemlock Crossing:
- $8 per person
- $2 per additional hour
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Children 6 and under are free* with adult rental - *When equipment is available
Thank you!
Thank you to the Friends of Ottawa County Parks for purchasing more youth snowshoes! This allowed us to offer the equipment free-of-charge to children 6 and under.
Friends of Ottawa County Parks is an all-volunteer membership organization that supports the parks.
Annual membership is based on calendar year, so it’s nearly time to join! Membership dues:
- Student: $15
- Individual: $25
- Family: $35
- Lifetime: $125 (55+)
Learn more about Friends and become a member here.
New in 2020 at the Pigeon Creek Lodge
The Pigeon Creek Lodge is moving to more sustainable solutions:
• Compostable disposables
(e.g. cups, plates, bowls, etc)
• Discounts for re-usable mugs, including our new Pigeon Creek travel mug ($10)
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Versluis GVSU Campus Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail Ribbon Cutting Event
In October, partners came together on the Grand Valley State University campus to celebrate the completion of the Versluis GVSU Campus Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail. The completed one-mile segment of trail connects Grand Ravines to GVSU’s Allendale campus and the Allendale business district.
“This trail system will eventually connect our campuses and be used by thousands of our students and student athletes for training, education, and recreation.” - President Philomena V. Mantella, GVSU
 Pictured: County Commissioner Matt Fenske, Judge Peter Versluis, Bea Idema, GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella, Peter Secchia, and County Commissioner Greg DeJong
“Investing in a trail like this will pay dividends in public health, transportation systems, mobility, and economic growth for generations.” - Cathy Sampselle, MDOT Office of Economic Development
Herman Miller Cares supports the Grand River Greenway
The Ottawa County Parks Foundation and Herman Miller Cares have partnered to further improve the ecological value of land within the Grand River Greenway and construct a key segment of the Idema Explorers Trail.
Through this partnership, Herman Miller Cares has adopted a two-mile segment of the Idema Explorers Trail. Their contribution will support the completion of trail along Green Street and 128th Avenue in Robinson Township; construction is slated to begin in 2020. When complete, it will connect the city of Grand Haven to Connor Bayou, the M-231 Bridge, the Spoonville Trail, and Riverside Park.
The future construction has not delayed Herman Miller’s commitment to improving the ecological value along the portion of trail that is already complete, which travels through Connor Bayou and includes the M-231 Trailhead.
This fall, the Herman Miller Sustainability Resource Team hosted two volunteer workdays for their employees. Together they planted nearly 2,500 native plants at the trailhead, establishing critical habitat and creating a Monarch Waystation for migrating butterflies and other pollinators.
Read the full press release here.
 “The Grand River Greenway Initiative will help protect and enhance our local natural areas and create a better world around us all. Many of our employees live and work in West Michigan and will have the opportunity to enjoy this trail and the surrounding natural areas with friends and family for years to come.” - Gabe Wing, Director of Sustainability, Herman Miller
Future plans for Ottawa Sands
Ottawa County Parks was awarded a grant from the Michigan Coastal Zone Management program to initiate a master plan for Ottawa Sands, including an inventory and analysis of the site’s natural features.
This plan will determine the feasibility of the site for recreation facilities, including lake and riverfront access and camping. Because the site formerly operated as a sand mine and part of it has been significantly impacted, there is opportunity for the creation of exciting park amenities. Public input is a crucial component of the master program and there will be several opportunities for public comment. Sign up here to be alerted when public comment is open.
Planning is scheduled to begin in early 2020 once a consultant is chosen. The timeline may change when a consultant is on board.
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Shoreline erosion along the lakeshore
Shoreline and erosion management has become crucial for property owners along our local waterways, especially Lake Michigan.
At Historic Ottawa Beach, shoreline stabilization work and replacement of a damaged walkway was necessary due to the high water levels.
Parks staff continues to monitor shorelines. Recently, the south stairway at Kirk Park was closed. Signage was posted at Tunnel Park about the large drop-off created by erosion.
We know many of you continue to visit the lake, even in the winter months. Please keep an eye out for trail closures as the shoreline changes. We will continue to provide the best possible access to Lake Michigan.
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Riverside Park shoreline restoration
Using a Sustain Our Great Lakes Program grant through the National Fish & Wildlife Service, we have completed hundreds of feet of shoreline erosion control at Riverside Park.
The grant was awarded to cover 500' of shoreline work, but due to high water levels nearly 850' of shoreline has eroded. Fortunately, the project will be completed under budget, and there is a possibility that we will be able to armor an additional 300' of shoreline using grant funds. The project will be complete by next spring.
   Bayou connectivity
An Aquatic Habitat Grant, awarded by the DNR in 2018 and matched by funds from our millage, will be used to improve fish connectivity between Kirby Bayou and the Grand River, as well as user access to the back parking lot at Riverside Park. Construction is planned for next spring.
Hundreds of volunteers spent hours removing invasive honeysuckle along the shoreline of the sag at Ottawa Sands... and we are thrilled to report that they completed the task!
Grand Haven High School students, Day of Caring volunteers from GHSP and Bekins, and our Park Stewards worked over the course of the summer and fall to clear over 800' of shoreline on the Grand River. Their labor is valued at over $14,000!
 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Task Force
HWA was first established as a threat in Ottawa County in 2016. Hemlock trees are a critical component of our forests, especially along the lakeshore. This invasive pest has devastated forests along the East Coast of the United States. Within Michigan, there are an estimated 170 million hemlock trees that are at risk of dying.
We are fortunate that our community, local, and state officials answered the call. Treatment continues to stop the spread of this forest pest and save our hemlock trees.
Over 100 acres of trees were treated at North Ottawa Dunes where hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) threatens from the north at Hoffmaster State Park. Hemlock trees were also treated at Ottawa Sands and Historic Ottawa Beach.
 We are hiring!
We are currently searching for candidates interested in working outdoors next spring and summer. The opportunities are perfect for students (18+) who are home on break, retirees who want to spend more time outside, or anyone interested in parks who would like to earn extra money during the summer months. Join us for a job fair to learn more!
Ottawa County Parks Job Fair
Saturday, February 22, 9 am-12 pm
Fillmore Complex, Main Conference Room
Interested candidates can expect immediate interviews with Parks Management. Computers will be available for on-site online application, but candidates may review available positions and apply online before the event.
Jobs will be posted online in January. Anyone not able to attend is encouraged to apply online.
Coffee with the Birds Mug Club
Congratulations to Blair Celano, our 2020 Mug Club winner! Blair’s Ruby-throated hummingbird was photographed in Spring Lake. Hummingbirds are beloved by birders and non-birders alike. They move quickly and can be difficult to capture on camera. Thank you to everyone who submitted pictures!
Make sure to get your mug with this year's bird before they sell out! Perks of the Mug Club are below.
Support your Ottawa County Parks this holiday season
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The Gift Shop at the Ottawa County Parks Nature Center offers unique items for nature lovers, while supporting Parks programming!
- Locally-designed t-shirts
- Children’s books, puppets, and educational toys
- Books to broaden nature knowledge for all ages
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Celebrate with family & friends
Hosting a holiday party? In addition to enjoying our natural areas, we offer indoor (and outdoor) facilities for family gatherings including the Connor Bayou Woodland Cabin, the historic Weaver House at Pine Bend, and the picturesque Grand Ravines Lodge. Please note Grand Ravines Lodge is closed in January and February. Book a facility online: https://miottawa.org/parks/
In Memory
Honor a loved one with a bench in nature. Ottawa County Parks offers memorial and commemorative benches for $750. Contact ocparks@miottawa.org for more information.
SOUTHEAST
Wednesdays at 5:30 pm - Various Locations: Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital group walks with a registered dietitian. Walks are 1-2 miles and cover brief health topics. Registration required to obtain schedule—call (616) 748-2834.
SOUTHWEST
Saturdays at 3:00 pm - Hemlock Crossing in West Olive: Slow to moderate pace. Group will explore the different trails at Hemlock Crossing and observe wildlife. Walks will last about an hour. Meet at trailhead by the bridge.
NORTHEAST
Tuesdays at 6:00 pm - Grand Ravines North in Jenison: Meet at first parking area on the left when you enter. The walk will go to Grand Valley State University and along the lighted path on Pierce Drive.
NORTHWEST
Mondays at 6:00 pm - Duncan Woods in Grand Haven: Meet at the entrance on Sheldon. Walks are about 3 miles and include hills.
Fridays at 10:30 am - Spring Lake Fitness and Aquatic Center (starting on January 1, 2020): Walks will be outdoors when possible. In case of inclement weather, walks will take place inside the Fitness Center. Meet at entrance. Through December 2019, walks will be at Central Park in Spring Lake. Meet by restrooms.
This schedule is valid through March 1. Specific meeting location, length of walks, schedule changes, and other details can be found online: https://miottawa.org/ottawawalks
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You'll notice that our program calendar looks different -- we have launched a new system for program and summer camp registration. Some important details to note:
- In order to register for a program, you will be required to create an account (see below for more info)
- You can add other members of the household to your account
- This system will remember your check out details to make registering for programs much easier once you're in the system
Early next year you will be able to make facility reservations through this system as well. We are also hoping to offer parks passes online.
Thank you for your patience as we launch this new system. You are welcome to contact us with questions:
(616) 786-4847 - Nature Center
(616) 738-4810 - Park Admin Office
 
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