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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.
 ⛷️ January ⛷️
Scroll down to find information about ways to get outside this winter, as well as upcoming programs, events, and much more. Thank you for reading!
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Parks Strategic Plan - Coming Soon!
In 2024, the process of creating a strategic plan for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation will begin. Be a part of the conversation on the future of your local parks! Sign up for email alerts and stay informed of upcoming opportunities for public input.
The parks department is upgrading its recreation software to a more user-friendly system in early 2024. If you have an account in our current system, you will be alerted via email and prompted to set up your new account when the system is ready to go. We are excited to provide a better user experience but know at first this may be difficult. Please call us with any questions you may have!
Pigeon Creek Park
Pigeon Creek Park offers groomed cross-country ski trails, a lit sledding hill, ski and snowshoe rentals for adults and children (children 6 and under can snowshoe for free with adult rental), and both cross-country and skate ski lessons. Pigeon Creek Lodge will be open throughout the season during good ski conditions offering equipment rental, concessions, and a warm fire. Reminder: Hiking, dogs, and horses are not allowed at Pigeon Creek Park once winter operations begin.
For more detailed information about winter operations, ski rental, a livestream of the sledding hill and main trail, and a video showcasing all the offerings at Pigeon Creek Park, visit: miOttawa.org/winter-rec
Hemlock Crossing
Hemlock Crossing offers snowshoe rentals for adults and children at the Nature Center during regular business hours. Children 6 and under can snowshoe for free with adult rental. While skis are not available to rent, they are welcome on the trails. Dog walking is allowed on the trails on leash.
Nature Center Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm
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 Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Head to Georgetown Township Library and pick up a Scavenger Hunt which will take you through three Ottawa County Parks, all in Georgetown Township! Complete the first page of the Scavenger Hunt at any or all of the three parks. Then, complete specific activities for each park on the second page.
When you finish the Scavenger Hunt, stop by the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing County Park to tell us about your adventures and pick up a prize!
More regional Scavenger Hunts are coming soon!
2024 Mug Club Memberships are available for sale! Members receive a limited-edition mug and fun birding perks throughout the year. Membership supports the Coffee with the Birds programs and feeding the birds at the Nature Center. The mugs and membership make great gifts. Don't forget to join us for a Coffee with the Birds program!
Perks for members include…
>> Exclusive, limited-edition mug with photo contest winner
>> Event reminder magnets
>> Membership Card for free hot drinks at the Nature Center
>> Entry into a door prize drawing for prizes!
>> Member-Only Bird Walks
>> Picnic with the Birds event
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The lower parking lot at Grand Ravines - North will be closed January-February.
Visitors to Pigeon Creek Park this winter will notice significant changes in certain areas of the park. In early fall, forestry activities were completed on 140 acres of aging pine plantations. These forests were planted with one species of pine, red pine, primarily used for timber production or soil stabilization. Pine plantations, being a monotypic forest type, have lower biodiversity making them less ecologically functional and more prone to diseases and other stressors. Additionally, the red pine’s native range lies further north causing them to be stressed in this slightly warmer climate.
For years, the pine plantations at Pigeon Creek have been declining due to disease and lack of diversity. Two fungus-driven diseases, diplodia tip blight and armillaria root rot, were notably affecting stands at Pigeon, causing some areas of the forest to become unhealthy and even unsafe.
To ensure park visitor safety, the parks department proactively removed unhealthy sections of the forest. Moving forward, staff plans to monitor logged areas to determine if additional steps need to be taken for the restoration of a healthy, more diverse forest system. The removal of pines creates space for the understory trees to flourish. Our team will be monitoring these areas to prevent invasive plants from taking advantage of the newly disturbed soil and establishing themselves in the gaps left by the cut pines.
Glossary:
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Monotypic forest types consist of a single species that completely inhabits the area.
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Biodiversity is the qualitative measure of biological diversity in an ecosystem.
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Diplodia tip blight is a fungus that infects and eventually kills red pines.
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Armillaria root rot stunts growth, kills needles, and causes decay in the base of the tree just below the soil surface.
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Thanks to the efforts of Stewardship Network's "Gloves for Good" initiative, Ottawa County Parks and Recreation has received 100 repurposed gloves free of charge (except cost of shipping). These gloves have made a tremendous impact on all of our volunteer capacities.
We have some of the most wonderful, dedicated volunteers in the region, but one of the things that ties them together, other than their love for Ottawa County Parks, is that they all need gloves!
- Nealy Molhoek, Coordinator of Natural Resource Management for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation
From volunteer workdays to service-based learning groups, these gloves will be put to great use helping care for over 7,000 acres of land that is managed with ecosystem heath in mind. Thank you, Stewardship Network!
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Click on a program date to be redirected to our registration page for that program!
ASTRONOMY PROGRAM: ARTEMIS RETURN TO THE MOON
Registration appreciated but not required
The Artemis Space Mission is preparing for its second test flight with a live crew aboard which will journey to the Moon and return. The presentation will cover the success of the first unmanned mission, the goal of the upcoming mission and future missions to return humans to the Moon with plans on eventually setting up a habitable Moon base. After the presentation, the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association (SAAA) will have the observatory open and telescopes available for night sky observing (weather permitting).
WILD WINTER FAMILY FUN DAY! - COMING SOON
Registration appreciated but not required
Don't hibernate all winter! Combat cabin fever and come to the Nature Center for this fun-filled event. Your family will have several indoor and outdoor activities to complete in order to earn a prize! Come at any time during the event. Designed for families with children 5-10 years old.
MOONLIGHT NIGHT HIKE
Registration required; $5/child (ages 12+)
Experience your favorite parks in a whole new way as you explore by moonlight! There is an option to use snowshoes when conditions are favorable. Please be sure to complete the snowshoe questionnaire when registering.
INTRO TO NATURE JOURNALING
Registration required; $5/person (ages 18+)
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.
FIRESIDE YOGA
Registration required; $10/child (ages 18+)
Come practice yoga fireside at the Nature Center! All levels of experience are welcome. *Yoga mats not provided.
NATURE JOURNALING CLUB
Registration required; $5/child (ages 18+)
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 our ‘Introduction to Nature Journaling’ program, however taking the class prior is not required. *Journals are not provided.
WINTER WALK
Registration appreciated but not required
Join us for a winter walk to enjoy the winter scenery and discover what nature is up to at this time of year.
Kids & Families
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTER - KIDS! THE MYSTERIOUS MINK
Registration required; $5/child (ages 5-10)
Size matters not when it comes to the mink. While its size and cuteness say one thing, its behavior says another! Discover how the mink is such a sly predator and attempt to track their whereabouts in winter.
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. Program is geared for children ages 5-10 years. Children must be accompanied with an adult.
TUNED INTO NATURE
Registration required; $5/child (ages 2-4)
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. Adult must stay with child for duration of program.
FIRESIDE STORYTIME
Registration appreciated but not required (ages 3-8)
Snuggle up by the fire with your kids for a relaxing time of seasonally-themed stories and a mug of hot chocolate! Don’t forget a comfy pillow and blanket! An optional walk will be offered afterward. Recommended for ages 3 - 8, accompanied by an adult.
STORYWALK
We’re collaborating with local libraries to continue providing StoryWalks this winter! 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.
WINTER NATURE BUDS
Registration required; $10/child (ages 6-9)
This winter version of our summer Nature Buds Day program will be offered at Hemlock Crossing Park. Children will experience outdoor adventures and investigate wildlife and habitats through the lens of winter. Register for one, two or all three, but do come out and enjoy our Michigan winter season! For ages 6-9.
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Into Nature
COFFEE WITH THE BIRDS
Registration appreciated but not required.
Enjoy a hot cup of coffee and some baked goodies as you watch the birds at the feeders and discuss various birding topics with a naturalist. Bring your bird questions, curiosities and stories, and don't forget your favorite mug!
*There are 2 sessions of Feeder Watching to choose from: 9:30 and 11:10 am.
Schedule:
9:30 - 10:20: Feeder Watching Session 1
10:30 - 11:00: Birding Tidbits
11:10 - 12:00: Feeder Watching Session 2
*Please note classes will be cancelled if ski conditions/weather is unfavorable.
$8/person; all lessons offered at Pigeon Creek Park. Rental available but not guaranteed (rental fee is not included). If you would like to rent equipment, plan to arrive 15+ minutes before the start of the program to pay for rental.
Beginner: Learn about equipment and basic techniques. Ages 10+; one adult must accompany every two children.
Intermediate: For experienced adult skiers wishing to refine their technique and ski more efficiently. Ages 16+.
Skate Ski: For experienced adult skiers who want to learn the basics of several techniques. Skate skis required; limited rental available. Ages 16+.
The observatory at Hemlock Crossing Park will be open to the public on Friday nights. These events are weather dependent and will be cancelled if overcast. *Please be aware that the park gate closes automatically at 8 pm, therefore visitors must arrive before 8 pm to enter the park.
Make sure to check the calendar for cancellations on this page before you head out to the park: holland-saaa.org
- Jan 5, 7 pm - Public Observing
- Jan 12, 7 pm - Public Observing
- Jan 19, 7 pm - Public Observing
- Jan 26, 7 pm - Public Observing
For more details: miOttawa.org/observatory
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