Press Release: You're invited! Rosy Mound Expansion Dedication

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 10/01/2025 03:13 PM EDT

Oct 1, 2025 – For immediate release

You're Invited! Rosy Mound Expansion Dedication

October 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Join us to dedicate the recently acquired 127-acre property next to Rosy Mound Natural Area, nearly doubling the park's size to 291 acres and fulfilling a vision that started in 1989. The Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission will also recognize the invaluable contributions of long-time supporter Alice Hoban by dedicating a future trail in her honor.

RSVP by October 3: bit.ly/rm-dedication

Event Parking Information - VERY IMPORTANT

Please park at the current Rosy Mound day-use parking lot or at the Rosy Mound Elementary School parking lot (designated special event parking only). Carpooling is highly encouraged.

Currently there is no parking at the expansion site
Parking at the current trailhead is ~0.5 mile to the event area along Lakeshore Drive and a ~1.5 mile hike through the park
Shuttle service is available at the school parking lot
The walk from the school parking lot is ~0.4 miles, please use the new crosswalk across Lakeshore Drive

The Ottawa County Parks Foundation Annual Meeting will take place just prior to the dedication at 5:00 PM. Please complete the form on the following webpage to RSVP by October 1: ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/annual-meeting

Learn more: news.miottawa.org/rosymoundexpansion

Rosy Mound Expansion Project Background & History

The vision for the Rosy Mound Natural Area began in 1989, when Ottawa County Parks identified this nearly 300-acre property along Lake Michigan south of Grand Haven as a top conservation priority.

The first 164 acres were protected in 1994, establishing the original Rosy Mound Natural Area. In 2004 extensive improvements were added to allow public access to the beach and other natural features. For decades, the adjacent 127-acre property to the northeast remained in active use for sand mining. In the past decade, however, sand mining was completed, the site restored, and the property sold to Ottawa County Parks in late 2024.

The acquisition was made possible with $3.29 million in grant funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, a generous land value donation from the landowner, support from the Ottawa County Parks Foundation, and the Ottawa County Parks property tax millage.

With this addition, Rosy Mound now covers 291 acres and features 3,450 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline. It includes a beautiful sand beach and excellent examples of Great Lakes sand dune formations, with both dense forest and open grassland habitats. The site also encompasses the 55 acres of previously mined property that has been restored and stabilized with native vegetation.

Future Development & Conservation Work

Improvements to the expanded Rosy Mound will be guided by the 2024 Rosy Mound Master Plan update that seeks to integrate the expansion area with the existing park facilities while enhancing the park’s natural beauty, wildlife habitat, and public enjoyment.

The master plan was approved following comprehensive analysis of the expansion site and development of three concept plans that were shared for public input. Over 1,500 survey responses and feedback from an open house shaped the final master plan, with strong community support for preserving natural habitat, expanding trails, and adding minimal parking.

Construction to implement the full master plan would impact less than 8% of the total acquired property, preserving 92% of the site as natural or restored habitat.

Highlights from the plan include nearly four miles of new trails (more than doubling the current network) with stairways and decks, modern restrooms, a 0.5-mile paved ADA-accessible loop and lake overlook, a 50-space parking lot, and more.

You can view the master plan at miottawa.org/parks/plans-reports.

In addition to the development of a trail system, staff members are working hard to protect the site's natural features. Currently, the Natural Resources Management team is treating trees for two forest pests: oak wilt and hemlock woolly adelgid. Staff and volunteers are collaborating to treat the nearly 3,000 hemlock trees on-site, seven days a week. They are also removing invasive species from the area.

Learn how you can help: https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=23694008

View from the Rosy Mound Natural Area expansion site

Fulfilling the Rosy Mound Vision

The Ottawa County Parks Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed benefiting the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission. The Foundation relies on private donations and grants to do its work.

The Foundation is in the midst of a fundraising campaign, Fulfilling the Rosy Mound Vision, to support future phases of this project. To request more information, visit the Foundation’s website: ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/rosy-mound-current-project

Press contact: Rylie Dorman, (616) 994-4774

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Operations, improvements and programs are funded by grants, private donations, and a parks millage. If you own a $150,000 home, you pay $26 annually investing in opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education today and for future generations. Thank you. Learn more about the 7,000 acres of park land in Ottawa County at miOttawa.org/Parks

Ottawa County Parks &
Recreation Commission

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