July is National Park and Recreation Month



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*Ottawa County Parks & Recreation offers programming and volunteer opportunities year-round!?**Visit the Program and Events Calendar [ [link removed] ] for details and registration.?Call our Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing Park for more information: 616-786-4847.*

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announcements
July

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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Ottawa Sands Parking Lot Closed [ [link removed] ]

The entrance to Ottawa Sands is?*closed.*?

During construction, we request that users of Ottawa Sands park at Coast Guard Park [ [link removed] ]. There is a new and improved temporary pedestrian access pathway that will take you into the park.

For a map and more info, visit:?Ottawa Sands Entrance Closed | News - Ottawa County, Michigan? [ [link removed] ]

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Ottawa Sands Project Update

Work is underway on access improvements and ecological enhancements at Ottawa Sands. These projects are expected to continue through 2024 as part of a nearly $8 million effort to begin implementation of the Ottawa Sands Master Plan?s *?regenerative approach?.*?This work is in various stages of design and construction and is intended to ensure that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the "sublime experience" of this park.?

About the "Regenerative Approach"?

Overuse and overdevelopment were identified as top concerns during the Master Plan?s community engagement process. With this in mind, efforts were made to craft a balanced?*Master Plan? [ [link removed] ]*that maintained the serene aesthetic features of the site while also enhancing ecological health and expanding access.


* *Restoration and enhancements will happen to 238 acres.*
* 69% of the site in total will be restored and enhanced.
* Active ecological enhancements will happen to at least 26 acres (8% of site).

* *There will be limited areas of active recreational?**improvements.*
* Only 8% of the site is proposed for improvements.

* *Enhancements will integrate high performance green infrastructure which will benefit the ecological health of the park.?*

When completed, these projects will help to ensure that Ottawa Sands becomes a "distinctive and timeless place."

Construction Ottawa Sands
Idema Explorers Camp

Earlier this year, construction commenced on the Idema Explorers Camp and its associated amenities. This project was made possible in part through $2.5 million funding from the Bill and Bea Idema Family Foundation as well as through Ottawa County American Rescue Plan Act funds.

*Want to learn more about the projects underway? *Read more here: news.miottawa.org/ottawa-sands-update [ [link removed] ]



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A GRAND New Treehouse

Construction on a new treehouse overlook at Grand Ravines [ [link removed] ] began in the spring and is now complete! It is located adjacent to the Grand Ravines Lodge and will provide gorgeous views of the deep ravines.?

Treehouse
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July is National Park and Recreation Month

NRPA

It?s Park and Recreation Month!

Did you know there are more than 10,000 park and recreation agencies, providing parks, trails, and other public outdoor and indoor spaces in nearly every city, town, and county across the United States?

The services that park and recreation professionals provide are vital for our communities ? from protecting open spaces and natural resources to providing educational activities and resources for all people.?

This July, we are highlighting how #OurCommunityGrows through the essential services offered by Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. Join us and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in celebrating!

*#WhereCommunityGrows #ParkandRecMonth23*



How can I get involved??

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*JOIN US* for a program or event! You can scroll to the bottom of this email for the full July program catalog OR view all program details here: miottawa.org/OCPevents [ [link removed] ]


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*TAG US* in pictures of you enjoying your Ottawa County Parks?@OttawaCountyParks or use the hashtag #OttawaCountyParks. We will be featuring these pictures on our social media throughout the month!?


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*GET OUTSIDE?*and enjoy the awesome open spaces and parks in your community. If you see an employee, make sure to thank them for their work.?

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stewardship banner
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Plastic Free July [ [link removed] ]

Plastic Free July?is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution ? so we can have cleaner streets, oceans and lakes, and beautiful communities.

Impacts of Plastic

It?s estimated that 22 million pounds of plastic waste makes its way into the Great Lakes every year. That?s enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool 100 times! Most of this waste comes from one-use plastics; you know, those plastics that you use once and throw away? Check out this?miECObuzz?video [ [link removed] ] to explore how you can help keep our beaches clean and free of plastic.?

The plastic problem is daunting, but your involvement matters!

* Take the challenge [ [link removed] ]?and get tips, tricks, stories of other participants and news from across the global movement.
* Do the?Plastic Free July Quiz [ [link removed] ]?(it takes less than 5 minutes) to discover the items you use and decide what you?d like to choose to refuse.
* Decide to take your?first step [ [link removed] ]?or really?challenge yourself. [ [link removed] ]
* *Become a Beach Buddy! Keep scrolling to learn more.?*

Plastic Free July [ [link removed] ]

Become a Beach Buddy!

Cleanup Beach

Help keep our beaches clean this summer by becoming a Beach Buddy. Booths at Tunnel Park, Kirk Park, and North Beach Park will be outfitted with buckets for visitors to participate in the Beach Buddy program.

To participate, request a Beach Buddy bucket and pick up any trash you can find on the beach. It's that easy! This program is offered in partnership with the Lakeshore Clean Up Coalition.?

Learn more: news.miottawa.org/beach-buddies [ [link removed] ]



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Pigeon Creek Logging [ [link removed] ]

Logging [ [link removed] ]
The logging at Pigeon Creek Park started on the north side of Stanton in early June.?

*All trails on the north side are shut down.?*We expect the north side to be closed for up to a month or possibly longer at which point we will be rotating to the south side.?Horses will need to access the south trails through the southwest corner of the southside parking lot.?

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 [ [link removed] ]



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2023 Macatawa Water Festival [ [link removed] ]

August 12 at?Windmill Island Gardens [ [link removed] ]

ODC LOGO
ODC Rain Barrel Workshop from 10 -11 am [ [link removed] ]

Want to learn more about managing rainwater on your property? Join the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) for a workshop [ [link removed] ] 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.?

*Click HERE [ [link removed] ] for more details.?*



Volunteer for the 2023 Macatawa Water Festival! [ [link removed] ]

The Macatawa Water Festival will be held on Holland?s Windmill Island. This community event?is designed to help people of all ages learn about Lake Macatawa and its Watershed. The festival is a benefit for Project Clarity and the Macatawa Watershed Project.

*Sign up [ [link removed] ] to be a volunteer!*

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July Programs [ [link removed] ]

*Click on a program date to be redirected to our registration page for that program!?*

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REMINDER: The program Nature's Songs: Walk and Roll Edition has been CANCELLED.?

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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


* Jul 6, 10:30 am- 12:30 pm | Upper Macatawa NA (84 Ave) [ [link removed] ]
* Jul 13, 10:30 am-12:30 pm | Upper Macatawa NA (84 Ave) [ [link removed] ]
* Jul 20, 10:30 am-12:30 pm | Upper Macatawa NA (84 Ave) [ [link removed] ]
* Jul 27, 10:30 am-12:30 pm | Upper Macatawa NA (84 Ave) [ [link removed] ]

Wildlife Encounter - KIDS!?*In Tune with Hummingbirds*

"Registration required, $5/person, geared for ages 5-10?"

Hummingbirds are tiny flying jewels to behold!?Beyond just their brilliant colors, the amazing things they do just to stay alive will leave you in awe of this creature weighing less than a nickel, with the attitude of a lion! Come find out more, including how to attract and feed them in your own backyard.


* Jul 16, 3-4:30 pm | Hager Park Picnic Building [ [link removed] ]
* Jul 30, 3-4:30 pm | Nature Center - Great Room [ [link removed] ]

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.?"


* Jun 30 - Jul 16 | Green on Green | Paw Paw Park West [ [link removed] ]
* Jul 7 - Jul 21 | Now | Connor Bayou [ [link removed] ]
* Jul 17 - Jul 30 | Look and Listen | Pine Bend Park [ [link removed] ]?
* Jul 31 - Aug 18 | The Hike | Hemlock Crossing [ [link removed] ]
* Jul 31 - Aug 13 | A Perfect Day | Paw Paw Park East [ [link removed] ]

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Recreation & Health

Biking
Ride through Robinson History?

"Registration required, $10/person"

Come pedal through history with us on the Idema Explorers and Spoonville trails. This slow roll, 12-mile bike ride will take you from Riverside Park over the Grand River on the the Sgt. Henry E. Plant Memorial Grand River Bridge Non-motorized Trail to Spoonville, then on to Connor Bayou Park, before returning to Riverside Park. Along the way, we will stop to learn about interesting events and places from the past. *Bring your own bike. *


* Jul 8, 9 am-12 pm | Riverside Park [ [link removed] ]

Nature Journal Club: Perspective and Elevations

"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


* Jul 22, 10-11:30 am | Upper Macatawa NA (84th Ave) [ [link removed] ]?


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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 [link removed] for updated information.


* Jul 8, 9:30-11:30 pm | Hemlock Crossing [ [link removed] ]

Wildlife Encounters - Hognose Snake: Serpents of the Sand?

"Registration not required but appreciated"

Hognose Snakes, a.k.a. "spreading cobra", or "puff-adder", are nature's best actors. You'll discover how they got these misleading names and discover to what lengths this incredibly talented creature goes to in order to dissuade would-be predators.


* Jul 9, 3-4:30 pm | Nature Center - Great Room [ [link removed] ]

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Friday Public Observatory Nights

Observatory

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 [ [link removed] ]?


* Jul 7, 9 pm | Public Observing
* Jul 14, 9 pm | Public Observing
* Jul 21, 9 pm | Public Observing
* Jul 28, 9 pm | Public Observing

For more details and weather?cancellations,* visit?miOttawa.org/observatory [ [link removed] ]?or holland-saaa.org [ [link removed] ]*



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Open Houses

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.


* Jul 16, 1-4 pm | Pine Bend Park [ [link removed] ]?

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*Show us how you enjoy your parks!*

*Connect with us on Instagram [ [link removed] ] by tagging your park photos @OttawaCountyParks [ [link removed] ] or #OttawaCountyParks [ [link removed] ]*

*OR*

*Follow us on Facebook and tag us @OttawaCountyParksandRecreation? [ [link removed] ]*






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Parks logo

Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission | 12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive, Michigan 49460 | 616-738-4810

Visit miOttawa.org/parks?to learn more about the 7,000?acres of parks and open spaces available for your enjoyment. Operations, improvements, and programs are funded by grants, private donations [ [link removed] ], and a parks millage. If you own a $150,000 home, you invest?$26 annually in opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education today and for future generations. *Thank you!**?*

STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ] Visit us on YouTube [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ]

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Linked In [ [link removed] ]



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All programs & events are brought to you by the?Ottawa County Board of Commissioners:*
Chairperson Joe Moss | Vice-Chairperson Sylvia Rhodea | Gretchen Cosby | Roger Bergman | Lucy Ebel | Jacob Bonnema | Rebekah Curran | Roger Belknap | Kyle Terpstra | Doug Zylstra | Allison Miedema

Questions??Contact Us <[email protected]>

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: ?Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]??|??Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]??|??Help [ subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com ]

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