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Ottawa County Parks & Recreation offers programming and volunteer opportunities year-round! Visit the Program and Events Calendar for details and registration. Call our Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing Park for more information: 616-786-4847.
 November
Scroll down to find information about ways to get outside this fall, as well as upcoming programs, events, and much more. Thank you for reading!
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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI — Join us for an afternoon of networking, learning, and discussion of forestry and habitat building practices and how they can benefit your land. This workshop will highlight land management plans, species identification and invasive species management, as well as programs to get started.
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How is the story of an ever-unfolding cosmic journey and search for the first sunrise tied to the ecosystem in your very own backyard? What lessons can community members, organizations, and agencies learn from Indigenous narratives in land stewardship and management? Find out with Carmen Marie, Wixárika, of The Sunhart Center of Ecology & Design through a spoken fireside journey weaving the threads of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and contemporary land management practices. Visual recording devices requested to be turned off during drumming and singing performances.
This is an outside program around a fire. Please bring a chair if possible. In case of rain, this program will move inside the lodge around the fireplace.
RSVP requested, but not required. RSVP to Melanie Manion at mmanion@miottawa.org
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November 9, 6:30-8 pm at Hemlock Crossing
Come listen to guest speaker Valerie van Heest share the multifaceted tale of the S.S. Michigan which became icebound off Lake Michigan during one of the worst winter storms in history. This presentation will discuss how the crew persevered and more!
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REMINDER: It is against park rules to remove flowers, plants, seeds, etc. from an Ottawa County Park property (see section 10.1a). Recently the pawpaw fruits from our parks have been overharvested without the seeds being returned. Consequently, our pawpaws are NOT spreading by seed. We love that park users are experiencing pawpaws, but not at the expense of our populations. Please leave pawpaw fruit on the trees!
On October 8, a grand opening was held for the Hemlock Crossing Observatory. We want to thank all of the people who came out to explore the newest addition to Ottawa County Parks! Did you miss it? No worries! There will be a program on November 12 called From a Dream to a Reality where the SAAA will share the story of cooperation with the Parks to make the dream of the first public observatory in West Michigan come true.
  Click on a program date to be redirected to our registration page for that program!
Kids & Family
Celebrating Fall Changes Through Art
Registration appreciated, ages 5+.
Invite your inner child and bring your family along to explore the colors, shapes and textures of trees through various art media. Materials and instruction provided.
Wildlife Encounters - FOR KIDS!
Registration required, ages 5-12, with a caregiver
Learn about wildlife found in your backyard and parks.
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The Winsome White-tailed Deer
StoryWalks
Pages from a featured book will be posted along a path at one of the parks listed below for your family to read together. Stories are available during park hours. Registration is not required.
Seeing the Parks through New Eyes: FAMILIES!
Registration appreciated, ages 5+.
Join an outdoor educator for an hour walk to dig deeper into a county park and hone your observation skills.
Art & Writing
Wonder Walk
Registration appreciated
Practice your nature journaling skills as we slowly meander the trails and follow what catches our eyes. *Journals are not provided.
Nature Journal Club Themed Walks
Registration required, $5/person
Experience the autumn season in a new way through nature journaling! Learn new drawing and writing techniques specific to the walk theme while building community and connection.
Drawing from Nature
Registration required, $25/person
Learn technical drawing skills with colored pencil while using native plants and animals as examples.
Marvelous Mushroom Abstract Art
Registration required, $5/person; ages 8+
Create your own piece of abstract art based on fascinating fungi.
Walking & Well-being
Empower Walk
Registration appreciated, ages 18+
Have you ever wanted to hike in a county park but don’t feel comfortable enough to go on your own? Come enjoy a brisk hike, meet new people, and build familiarity with our county parks!
Eat Green. Stay Active. Live Well.
Registration required, $35 class fee; ages 18+
Rediscover healthy eating and the outdoors at its best. Get expert tips, recipes, latest nutrition news, and natural foodie finds!
THRU Hikes
Registration required, $5/half day or $10/full day
Enjoy the changing seasons as you venture ALL THE WAY THRU these amazing parks with a naturalist guide.
Themed Walks
Registration appreciated
Further explore our parks and learn about a variety of topics.
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Five-needled and Fascinating:
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A Palette of Fall Color:
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Seeing the Parks through New Eyes:
THRU Hikes
Registration required, $5/half day or $10/full day
Enjoy the changing seasons as you venture ALL THE WAY THRU these amazing parks with a naturalist guide.
Land, Water, & Sky
Earth Encounters: Geology - GLACIERS
We will look at how geologists read the landscape for clues to the processes that created this land we call Michigan.
Astronomy - From a Dream to a Reality
What does it take to make a dream into a reality? SAAA will share the story of cooperation with the Parks to make the dream of the first public observatory in West Michigan come true. Hear the story and learn about the plans for more public programs and research by SAAA members
Moonlight Night Hike
Registration required, $5/child; ages 10+
See which nocturnal creatures lurk as you explore by moonlight!
Seeing the Parks through New Eyes: AT NIGHT!
Registration required, $5/person; ages 8+
Join a guide for a 90-minute walk to delve into our senses at night!
Birding
Birding Outings
Registration appreciated
Whether you are an avid birder or desire to experience birds beyond your backyard, join us for a birding program! Trail conditions vary depending on the park.
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