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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.
 April
Scroll down to find information about ways to get outside this spring, as well as upcoming programs, events, and much more. Thank you for reading!
Did someone forward you this message? Click here to sign up for your copy.
Why is the parking area closed?
As part of the improvements underway at Ottawa Sands, the entryway and access drive will be reconfigured and paved. The entryway will be realigned and converted to a boulevard and include an expanded interface with North Shore Drive. Furthermore, there will be extensive work to make a public water connection for the park.
As a result, the former parking area will be inaccessible during construction.
How can I access Ottawa Sands?
Once improvements are completed, there will be several options for parking with Ottawa Sands. During construction, we request that users of Ottawa Sands park at Coast Guard Park. There will be a new improved pedestrian access that will be completed before the parking area is closed.
April 29, 5-8 pm at Hemlock Crossing
Head to the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing on April 29, from 5-8 pm to support the Ottawa County Parks Foundation and local artist. Works by painters, photographers, fiber artists, glass artists, ceramicists, jewelry makers, and more will be on display and available for purchase. A $10 donation is suggested to attend the show. All donations and 10% of artists’ sales will benefit the Foundation.
Click HERE for more information.
Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission is now managing Kouw and Windsnest Parks
On January 24, 2023, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approved the partnership between the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission with the Port Sheldon Township to manage:
Read more about this development here: news.miottawa.org/kouw-windsnest-parks
The program begins May 2! To sign up, visit: miottawa.org/stepitup
This free 8-week program is designed to help you stay active and explore new parks. Participants of all fitness levels are invited to join. Simply track and report your activity each week to be eligible for weekly raffle prizes.
Click here for the walk and activity schedule.
We are currently searching for candidates interested in working outside this summer. Joining our team is a great way for college students, retirees, graduating high school students and others who enjoy working outdoors to learn from industry experts and gain valuable work experience.
Click on a position to be taken to the specific application page. Open positions include:
Distribution of our spring newsletter has been delayed. For now, it is available online for your viewing! We hope to get the newsletter into your mailboxes as soon as possible.
Get the scoop on Parks news, upcoming programs, & more: miottawa.org/Parks/pdf/newsletters/Spring2023.pdf
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Come take a look around the Grand Ravines Lodge!
The Friends of Ottawa County Parks are kindly hosting open houses on the following dates:
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Click a beach cleanup date below to be taken to the registration page for that workday.
Here's what you should know about workdays:
- Register online: miOttawa.org/OCPevents
- Bring work gloves, insect repellent, and appropriate attire for the outdoors.
- All tools, drinking water, and snacks will be provided.
- All ages welcome; 16 and under must be with an adult.
- Workdays are cancelled for rain/snow.
Questions? Contact us: (616) 994 - 4748
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The Friends of Ottawa County Parks (FOOCP) are hosting a garlic mustard pull to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22. The workday will be held at Eastmanville Bayou from 2-4 pm.
Learn more here: bit.ly/earthdayFOOCP
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April 22, 10-11:30 am |Paw Paw East County Park
Join Rick Bosch on a hike through Paw Paw East County Park. Highlights will include a tour of one of the largest redwood forests in Michigan, a visit to a historical site that was crucial in the early settlement of Zeeland, and a discussion of the restoration efforts being performed in this park.
Register here: Nature Tour of Paw Paw
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The harvest is scheduled to begin once the spring thaw weight restrictions are lifted. These restrictions are lifted when it is safe to drive overweight shipments without damaging Michigan roads.
While it may be difficult to see trees being cut down, a benefit to removing this crop plant is a more diverse forest waiting in the seedbank. As this diverse forest grows, it has the potential to bring new species to Pigeon Creek Park.
Click the link for a video to learn more: Red Pine Management at Pigeon Creek Park
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Our summer camps are LIVE and ready for sign up! Registration is required and camps are $7/child.
 Velo Kids and Ottawa County Parks have partnered to provide adventure-based, week-long, half-day bike camps teaching youth mountain bike and urban bike safety, skills and confidence through education, fun and many adventures on bikes!
Click on a program date to be redirected to our registration page for that program!
Kids & Families
Trailside Storytime
Registration not required but appreciated
Come spend an hour learning about nature with your child or grandchild. The hour will include a nature-themed story, and an outdoor activity geared for children 5-9 years old.
Wildlife Encounter - KIDS! Secret Lives of Salamanders
Registration required, $5/person, geared for ages 5-10
Seldom seen salamanders lurk all around under your feet in the forest. What are they like? How do they survive? How can I find one? Their secret lives will be exposed during this fun program!
Tuned into Nature
Registration required, $5/person
Kids ages 2-4 can bring their favorite grown up to sing songs, dance, and learn about nature together. We'll spend time making and moving to music based on a nature theme and go outside for a walk to explore it outdoors. Children must be accompanied with an adult.
Trailside Storytime
Registration required, no cost!
Join us for a special story and craft time to celebrate trees and Arbor Day. We’ll learn why native trees are important, read a story, make a craft and then you can take home your very own baby tree! Special funding for native tree saplings has been provided by the Friends of Ottawa County Parks.
Wildlife Encounters - KIDS! Frogs & Toads
Registration required, $5/person, geared for ages 5-10
Spring has sprung and so have frogs & toads! With warmer weather frogs wake from winter and spring into activity. Dive into what makes these amphibians unique and learn a few of our local species and frog calls too.
StoryWalk
We’re collaborating with local libraries to continue providing StoryWalks this spring! Walk through the pages of a book as you make your way along a park path. These are self-guided programs, and the stories are available during park hours. These StoryWalks are brought to you by Herrick Main Library, Loutit District Library, and Herrick North Branch Library. Thank you!
Recreation & Health
Introduction to Nature Journaling
Registration required, $5/person
Many of us seek ways to better connect with nature. We want to learn its patterns and secrets, help protect its inhabitants, and gain an understanding of our place within it. Nature journaling helps us do this and you do not need to know anything about nature, drawing, or writing to begin! Learn how to start a nature journal, a few drawing basics, and some simple tricks to help you be successful.
Nature Journal Club: Mapping Sound & Terrain
Registration required, $5/person, ages 10+
Calling all nature lovers! Gather each month to learn new drawing and writing techniques specific to the theme and enjoy community connection with fellow journalers. The Nature Journal Club compliments an Introduction to Nature Journaling, however taking the class prior is not required. *Journals are not provided
Eat Green. Stay Active. Live Well - Where Food, Fitness, & Health Meet the Outdoors
Registration required, $55/person
Explore new nutritious ways to indulge in springtime’s freshest flavors, taste the ‘pick of the patch’, and discover the top seasonal superstars to power up your plate and make your meals greener, more interesting, and delicious. Be inspired, get expert tips, spectacular recipes, latest nutrition news, natural foodie finds and faves from snacks to drinks with sample bites and more―everything you need in ONE serving!
Into Nature
Bird Walk
Registration appreciated
Whether you are an avid birder or are just desiring to experience birds beyond your backyard, join us and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of spring bird migration. Trail conditions vary depending on the park. Be prepared for muddy and wet trails.
Astronomy: James Webb Telescope - An Update
Registration appreciated
The James Webb Telescope has already made some very important discoveries! This one-hour indoor presentation will provide an update on how the instrument is performing and what new discoveries have been revealed. After the presentation, the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association (SAAA) will have the observatory open and telescopes available for night sky observing (weather permitting).
Beginner Birding
Registration appreciated
Are you new to birding or want to get started? Would you like to gain some basic skills to help you enjoy this wonderful pastime? This bird walk will introduce you to binocular use, bird identification and field guides and, of course, to the common birds in our parks.
Wildlife Encounter - Bald Eagles: Beyond the Symbol
Registration appreciated
Freedom, hope, glory - Eagles symbolize so much in our human ethos. What makes them so special? Dive in deep with our national symbol and you'll find out much more about this amazing creature than meets the eye!
Bald Eagle Walk
Registration required, $5/person
Bald Eagles frequent areas along the Grand River and have nested at Grand Ravines for a number of years. Join us on this hike to learn the story of the park's resident eagles and view their nesting activities. Terrain is steep and often muddy.
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