Press Release: Ottawa Sands County Park Honored with 2025 NACPRO Award in Conservation 

Ottawa County, MI — The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission is proud to announce that Ottawa Sands County Park has received a 2025 National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) Award in the Conservation category. This national honor recognizes efforts to acquire, restore, and preserve natural areas, as well as initiatives that foster public awareness and appreciation of conservation. 

About Ottawa Sands County Park

Ottawa Sands, a former sand-mining site, is now a 345-acre ecological and recreational treasure in Ferrysburg, Michigan. Nestled where the Lake Michigan Coastal Greenway meets the Grand River Greenway, the park completes a six-mile stretch of uninterrupted public land along the Lake Michigan shoreline—providing vital habitat corridors for wildlife and expanded opportunities for people to connect with nature. 

Master Plan

A key aspect of the park’s success lies in its balanced Master Plan, which sought to maintain the serene aesthetic features of the site while enhancing ecological health and expanding access. The vision for Ottawa Sands is inherently regenerative, focused on restoring and maintaining the ecological integrity of the area for future generations. 

The Master Plan is informed by a comprehensive understanding of the park’s current ecological conditions, with a goal of measuring and improving key ecological indicators through active stewardship and monitoring. The park’s varied natural features provide habitat for birds, butterflies, insects, fish, amphibians, and other wildlife. However, without ongoing restoration and management efforts, it would be on a trajectory of species loss. 

“This award is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to a regenerative approach.  This recognition is not just a celebration of what Ottawa Sands has become—it’s a reflection of the transformation that began years ago,” said Jason Shamblin, Ottawa County Parks Director. “We’re proud to build on the restoration efforts initiated by the mining operation, whose thoughtful reclamation laid the groundwork for today’s regenerative approach. By combining that legacy with science-driven stewardship and inclusive design, we’ve created a model for how former industrial landscapes can be reimagined into vibrant, resilient ecosystems that serve both people and nature.” 

The regenerative approach led to the following plan features: 

• Restoration and enhancement of 238 acres (69% of the site) 
• Active ecological improvements on at least 26 acres (8% of the site) 
• Creation and restoration of wetlands to increase biodiversity 
• Reduction in higher intensity development areas, including the removal of a 30-acre RV park from earlier plans 

Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts were made possible through extensive collaboration with partners including Audubon Great Lakes, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and MDNR’s Fisheries Habitat Grant Program. Together, these organizations have supported a wide range of habitat enhancement projects designed to benefit fish, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife. 

Key conservation achievements at Ottawa Sands include: 

• Creation of six acres of interdunal wetlands—a rare and vital habitat unique to Lake Michigan’s coastal dune ecosystem. 
• Shoreline sculpting using GPS-guided equipment to expand the littoral zone, promoting fish spawning and improving aquatic habitat. The littoral zone is the shallow, down-sloping area of land close to the shore of a lake. 
• Installation of over 200 woody structures around the inland lake, enriching environments for fish, turtles, and amphibians. 
• Extensive native plantings and removal of invasive species to restore natural communities and strengthen biodiversity. 
• Placement of educational signage throughout the park to inform visitors about ecological enhancements and its lasting benefits. 

According to Audubon Great Lakes, the Grand River Coastal Corridor—which includes Ottawa Sands—supports some of Michigan’s highest-quality natural communities and provides critical stopover habitat for migratory birds. The region is recognized for its biodiversity and its importance on both regional and global scales. Learn more about the Grand River Coastal Corridor. 

“The transformation of Ottawa Sands is nothing short of inspiring. By restoring the shoreline and interdunal wetlands, we’ve created critical habitat for marsh birds like the Sora, Marsh Wren and Swamp Sparrow.” said Kylie McElrath, Conservation Manager at Audubon Great Lakes. “This restoration doesn’t just bring back birds – it also strengthens our climate resilience by buffering floods and improving water quality, while offering local communities' new opportunities to engage with nature. It’s a powerful example of how healing our wetlands benefits both wildlife and people, inspiring hope for the future of our natural landscapes.” 

The conservation and enhancement work at Ottawa Sands is part of a $30 million master plan which includes restoring 238 acres while ensuring equitable access and sustainable recreation. The park’s inclusive design incorporates green infrastructure and aims to welcome visitors of all abilities to experience this remarkable landscape for generations to come. 

Project Funding

The projects at Ottawa Sands were made possible thanks to the support of many partners, private donors, and grants. We are grateful for the additional support:  

• The previous owner sold the property to Ottawa County Parks with a generous donation of 25% of the $11.22 million appraised land value. 
• The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) granted over $8 million for land acquisition. 
• The Land Conservancy of West Michigan (LCWM) was instrumental in supporting the acquisition by purchasing about half of the property with funding from The Conservation Fund, which allowed Ottawa County Parks time to secure the grants needed to purchase the property. LCWM donors raised nearly $400,000 to support the acquisition.  
• A $30,000 Coastal Zone Management grant and $17,460 from the Ottawa County Parks Foundation allowed for the completion of the Ottawa Sands Master Plan. 
• Philanthropic gifts totaling $3.48 million, including a $2.5 million gift from the Bill & Bea Idema Foundation, supported significant access improvements projects and the Idema Explorers Camp. 
• Philanthropic contributions helped leverage additional grants for amenities including $300,000 grant from the MNRTF for the lake loop, $3.4 million in funding from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, and a $242,900 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for the day-use restroom. 

For additional information about Ottawa Sands County Park, please visit: https://miottawa.org/park-locations/ottawa-sands/.