December 16, 2022 – For immediate release
Press contact: Jessica VanGinhoven, (616) 786-4847

Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approves grant for ecological restoration at Ottawa Sands

In a short time since the completion of the $11.2 million acquisition of the 345-acre Ottawa Sands County Park, located in Ferrysburg, Michigan, it has become beloved for the sublime experience of its  wide-open views of the inland mining lake set within the sandy Lake Michigan dunes.

While the park is an extraordinary and beautiful place, as a former sand mine, it is out of balance, especially in two areas: ecological health and access. In order to address these issues, the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission adopted the Ottawa Sands Master Plan, which focuses on a “regenerative approach” to enhance access to this site while maintaining its aesthetic features and enhancing its ecological health. Under the plan, 92% of the site will remain undeveloped and 69% of the site will be targeted for restoration and enhancement.

Wetland restoration

Through the Ottawa Sands Master Plan, significant wetland restoration and creation projects were recommended to enhance the site’s ecology and aesthetics, which had been degraded as a result of previous mining and sand extraction activity. In November, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approved a subaward agreement a Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) grant through the National Audubon Society, Inc, which will implement the first phase of these restorations.

Soften 2,500 linear feet of shoreline around the 80-acre manmade lake

A wetland assessment prioritized the order of restoration and creation by ecological impact, ranking shoreline enhancement for the manmade lake as the highest priority. Although the shoreline is aesthetically attractive, it currently offers poor habitat for wildlife. Grant funding will support the construction of 2,500 linear feet of wetlands (approximately 1/3 of the lake’s shoreline). This new littoral zone, a grassy, reedy, marshy perimeter along the banks of waterways, will include habitat for shoreline and marsh birds, warm-water fish species, amphibians, and other nongame species. 

It is estimated that 35-65 feet of the existing shoreline will need to be cut back where none currently exists. The new, shallower pitch will improve the resiliency of the site by incorporating a greater range of shorelines for projected changes in precipitation and water levels.

After being mined, the man-made lake was left with a shoreline with an average of 3:1 slope. Comparatively, natural slopes within coastal wetlands of the Great Lakes range between 10:1 to 20:1.

Restoration of dunal wetland

In addition to the shoreline work, six acres of dunal wetland will be regraded and restored to a functioning marsh. This lagoon had been filled in when the sand mine operation came to a close.

Funding details - this project is funded by a Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) grant obtained by Audubon Great Lakes and made available to Ottawa County Parks through a subaward agreement of $400,000. Ottawa County Parks' contribution to the required grant match is through in-kind labor, the completed acquisition of Stearns Creek, and a MI DNR Fisheries Habitat Grant. No additional cash funding is required. 

Read the SOGL grant slate

Share this story on Facebook!