  Ottawa County Parks Program and Events have been limited due to COVID-19, but we are adapting! Online and virtual nature programs are available, scroll down to learn more.
Swing by Ottawa Sands County Park for an afternoon of family-friendly activities*, tasty food, and an opportunity to weigh-in on future improvements. Rain or shine, it will be a fun, free event for all the community to enjoy!
Your input from the community field day will directly inform the Visioning Plan design process. Information on additional community input sessions will be made available as dates and locations are scheduled.
*Activities/input areas will be set up for appropriate social distancing.
Take a survey about the potential development of Ottawa Sands County Park.
Join Ottawa County and 'Explore Where You Belong'! This year, we are doing something a little different in place of the 231 River Run.
We’ll be offering a virtual, convenient, family-friendly, all-fitness-levels event that will again, serve as a fundraiser for paved trails. We have three rivers in Ottawa County and we invite you to run, walk, or bike with us on a date of your choosing from August 7 to August 23 on one or ALL of the following trails along our waterways!
Participants will receive a shirt, route maps, and love on social media. Gather your friends and family to explore together. Maps will be available at shirt pick-up and emailed to participants.
For more information and to sign-up click here.
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Step it Up! Group Walks provide the opportunity to meet new people, discover new parks, and be more active outside. Various speeds and distances will be offered at a variety of Ottawa County Parks.
 Greenways, Climate, and Eastmanville Farm
We know that rivers and streams are vital natural resources, but water quality is about more than just water. Less widely known is the importance of riparian zones. A riparian zone is the land situated on the banks of rivers and streams. Join mi Eco BUZZ to learn more about an upcoming project at Eastmanville Farm focused on improving the park's riparian zone, a quarter-mile of shoreline along the Grand River, as well as the restoration of 52 acres of park land. Click here to view the video.
More info about the project here: https://news.miottawa.org/efarm-restoration/
Wildlife Encounter: Turtles in a Nutshell
July 19, 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM at Riverside Park
You’ll be introduced to the life histories and unique features of the Turtles of Michigan. Dive in with us to explore just how many secrets these creatures hold and what makes them unique in the animal kingdom.
Afterward, adventure to observe them yourself! Bring your own lawn chairs or blanket for sitting on the grass.
The Wildlife Encounters series aim to introduce people to the amazing natural history of the wildlife found in our own yards, parks and region. These presentations are geared for audiences of all ages.
Please keep yourselves and your lawn setups at least 6’ from others not in your household. Masks recommended.
Registration required.
*If weather is poor, the shelter with picnic tables will be used.
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Fern Finder Scavenger Hunt
July 25, 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM at Pigeon Creek Park
Meet a Naturalist at the Pigeon Creek Lodge for a short outdoor introduction to the natural history of ferns. Then go on a scavenger hunt to find as many as you can!
Registration required.
During this program, please be mindful to keep yourselves at least 6’ from other participants. Masks recommended.
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Summer Night Sounds
July 31, 9:00 PM- 10:00 PM at Pine Bend
When darkness falls on the forest, sounds can become creepy and unfamiliar. Neutralize your fears and familiarize yourself with the sounds of nocturnal creatures from insects & amphibians to mammals & birds! Bring a flashlight and join a naturalist to experience the park in a whole new light: moonlight! Bring your own lawn chairs or blanket for sitting on the grass.
Registration required.
Please keep yourselves and your lawn setups at least 6’ from other participants. Masks recommended.
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  Bringing Nature to You
We are building our library of online programs to Bring Nature to You! Our updated website allows you to explore the different habitats in Michigan from the comfort of your own home. We’ll continue to develop and add new programs, so please bookmark this page! We hope that these programs and activities can serve adults and children alike. Educators, please feel to share these resources with parents and students. As always, if you have any suggestions or feedback, we want to hear it! You can reach us at ocparks@miottawa.org.
What's that Bird I Hear? - Meadows Part 1 & 2
Have you ever wondered what birds you’re hearing when you wander in the thickets along the edge of where field meets forest? These videos are a virtual guide to help you learn 12 common bird songs of our Meadows. Each bird includes a song and a description of what you’re hearing.
Enjoy learning while you listen!
Part 1: Open Fields and Farm Pastures
Part 2: Edges and Thickets
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