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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.
 August
Scroll down to find information about ways to get outside this summer, as well as upcoming programs, events, and much more. Thank you for reading!
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We are super excited for this Arts in the Parks partnership with Culture Works courtesy of a grant from Mellon Foundation. Both events are FREE to the public and do NOT require registration.
Story Stamping with Ayanna Njoroge
Head to Hawthorn Pond Natural Area on Saturday, August 5 from 1-4 pm for an afternoon full of fun, family-friendly activities with Culture Works. There will be a scavenger hunt for stamps, and an opportunity to decorate a pot and take home a new plant at the end! 🌱
Poetry Reading & Inspired Chalk Art
Join us at Upper Macatawa Natural Area (84th Ave) on Thursday, August 17 from 5:30-8 pm for a poetry read by Samuel Vega, a contributing artist to Culture Works. Chalk will be available after for people to write their own poems inspired by the poems or the parks.
Downloadable 2023 Arts in the Parks Field Journal
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The Macatawa Water Festival will be held on Holland’s Windmill Island on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Over 20 community partners and sponsors will come together to offer water activities and educational experiences designed to engage all ages to learn about restoring and preserving Macatawa Lake and its watershed. People will have the opportunity to kayak and bike around the island while exploring and learning about the great outdoors. Ottawa County Parks staff will be present to provide guided nature walks. This event is free to all guests and participants.
Want to learn more about managing rainwater on your property? Join the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) for a workshop to learn about rainscaping practices, with a focus on rain barrels! Participants can attend the workshop and for an additional fee, assemble and take home a rain barrel.
Learn more and register HERE.
August 6 is the last day to register!
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Due to ongoing issues with our point-of-sale system at the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing County Park, the gift shop will be CLOSED temporarily as of Friday (7/28).
The Nature Center will remain open during normal business hours, and we will still be able to process transactions for motor vehicle permits (cash) and program registration. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to navigate this issue.
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Spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that has been found in Michigan with the potential to affect over 70 plant species. It feeds on a wide range of fruit, ornamental, and woody trees. It can move long distances by hitchhiking or laying egg masses on vehicles, outdoor equipment, and firewood. This pest can have negative effects on specialty crops and be a nuisance in outdoor areas.
You can help protect Michigan resources from this pest by looking for and reporting spotted lanternfly. If you see it:
- Take a picture!
- Report it HERE
For more information and pictures, visit: michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/insects/spotted-lanternfly
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The Outdoor Discovery Center need volunteers to help make the Macatawa Water Festival successful! There are a variety of different opportunities:
- Kayaking – River Safety
- Parking
- Games
- Event Ambassadors
- AND MORE!
If you’re interested in volunteering, SIGN UP HERE.
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Hunting is an important part of managing natural lands and parks in Ottawa County. Biodiversity is critical to ecosystem health and is dependent on a delicate balance of predator and prey populations. Humans have always been and will continue to play an important role in hunting prey populations.
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation offers hunting on over 4,500 acres of selected properties. Six of the properties require a special permit, which are available via lottery. These lotteries are now open, see below for more information on how to apply.
For general information about hunting and to apply, please visit us at: www.miottawa.org/Parks/hunting.htm
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Applications will close August 31, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
 
Due to habitat restoration and delayed trail logging at Pigeon Creek, Pedal the Pigeon - Kids only Mountain Bike Race is CANCELED for 2023. If you have already signed up, keep an eye on your email for a refund.
The racing may be off this year but keep the date open!
Velo Kids will be having an end-of-summer celebration on Saturday, August 19 at Beechwood Trails from 9-11 am for a Bike Bash. There is no cost and registration is not required. Come celebrate the end of a fun summer on bikes!
Click on a program date to be redirected to our registration page for that program!
Kids & Families
Zee Bus
Enjoy some summer reading on the Zee Bus! The Zee Bus is a traveling library that will be rolling through the Zeeland area this summer. On Thursdays, Ottawa County Park naturalists will provide nature activities. Story time and activities will begin at 11 am. For a full schedule, follow the Zee Bus page on Facebook: @ZeeBus
NEW! - Story Stamping with Ayanna Njoroge
Head out to Hawthorn Pond Natural Area for an afternoon full of fun, family-friendly activities with Culture Works. There will be a scavenger hunt for stamps, and an opportunity to decorate a pot and take home a new plant at the end! 🌱 This program is free and does not require registration.
Wildlife Encounter - KIDS! Praying Mantis: Meadow Hunter
Registration required, $5/person, geared for ages 5-10
Summertime is hunting time for the big green, leaf-like insect we call the Praying Mantis! But why the name? How and what do they hunt? How can I find one? Find out yourself as you go on expedition to find them! The Wildlife Encounter - Kids! series introduces children to wildlife found in our own yards, parks and region. It includes a presentation, walk and art activity or craft.
StoryWalk
We’re collaborating with local libraries to continue providing StoryWalks this summer! 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. Brought to you by Herrick Main Library, Loutit District Library, and Herrick North Branch Library.
Early Sprouts: Puzzling Plants
Registration required, $7/person, geared for ages 4-5
Do plants have a job? What do plants eat? Who tries to steal their food? What do plants do for us? Come and solve the mysteries of how plants make the world go around! *Activities in this camp will engage caregiver and child interactions in the outdoors. Caregivers will play an active role during camp.
Nature Buds: Puzzling Plants
Registration required, $7/person, geared for ages 6-8
Do plants have a job? What do plants eat? Who tries to steal their food? What do plants do for us? Come and solve the mysteries of how plants make the world go around!
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Introduction to Nature Journaling
Registration required, $5/person, ages 8+
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. *Journals not provided
Nature Journal Club: Sandy Shores
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.
NEW! - Poetry Reading & Inspired Chalk Art
Join us for a poetry read by Samuel Vega, a contributing artist to Culture Works. Chalk will be available after for people to write their own poetry inspired by the poems or parks. Click HERE for a downloadable Field Journal.
Into Nature
Astronomy: Observing at Hemlock Crossing Observatory
Weather permitting, come out to the observatory and spend some time with the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association looking at the night sky. They will have the observatory open and will have other telescopes available to view from. Please check https://www.holland-saaa.org for updated information.
Earth Encounters: Tale of Petoskey Stones
Registration required, age 12+
Petoskey stones are a familiar rock to most of us. Come and learn the natural and cultural history of our State Stone. Bring your own stone to polish or we'll have some for you to try. A $5 donation is requested but not required.
Beavertecture
Registration appreciated, age 10+
Lodges and dams oh my! We can learn a lot from nature's best architect. Explore the work left behind by beavers and the impressively strategic reasons how and why they build their lodges and dams. This walk will be 30 minutes long with additional time for questions following.
The observatory at Hemlock Crossing Park will be open to the public on Fridays at 9 pm. These events are weather dependent and will be cancelled if overcast. Make sure to check the calendar at the bottom of this page before you head out to the park: miOttawa.org/observatory
- Aug 4, 9 pm | Public Observing
- Aug 11, 9 pm | Public Observing
- Aug 18, 8 pm | Public Observing
- Aug 25, 8 pm | Public Observing
For more details and weather cancellations, visit miOttawa.org/observatory or holland-saaa.org
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Weaver House
Join us for an inside look at the Weaver House at Pine Bend Park. These open houses are hosted by Friends of Ottawa County Parks (FOOCP) who will be available to share historical information and show you around the house.
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