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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.
 September
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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The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPRC) is pleased to share its 2024 Strategic Plan with the public. This plan, approved by the OCPRC on August 21, 2024, outlines the department’s goals and initiatives.
"The 2024 OCPRC Strategic Plan was developed by harnessing robust public and stakeholder input as well as intensive data gathering and analysis," said OCPRC Director Jason Shamblin.
"The OCPRC has updated the mission statement, developed a new vision statement, and updated strategic initiatives as part of the plan. These tools will allow the OCPRC to build upon the incredible existing park system and help ensure that the OCPRC continues to meet the needs of its growing community and its hundreds of thousands of visitors."
We invite all residents and visitors to review the plan and learn more about the future of Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. The full Strategic Plan is available online at: miottawa.org/strategicplan
September 21 • 10 AM - 4 PM • Connor Bayou
Bring the whole family and explore nature with activities, crafts and more.
Ottawa County has a rich history, including a time when the Grand River was a highway of the fur trade between the French and local native peoples. Ride in the replica Gabagouache Canoe and experience a bit of what life was like during the fur trade of the 1700’s at Connor Bayou Park, a location known to have been an outpost for the trade route. This program is free & for all ages!
September 7-September 21 at Riley Trails
We are collaborating with Herrick District Library to provide you a chance to walk to Mordor just like our favorite halflings. Visit Riley Trails between September 7 and September 21 and follow the signs to take your own unexpected journey through Middle Earth. Stop at each of the signs to learn more about J. R. R. Tolkien, read poems and excerpts from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and more.
Ottawa Conservation District Fall Native Plant Sale
October 5 • 9 AM-1 PM • Hemlock Crossing
Pre-orders are open until September 13!
The in-person Fall Plant Sale for individual plants will take place on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at Hemlock Crossing Nature Center from 9 AM – 1 PM. Preorders for Garden Kits and Beach Grass Bundles are open until September 13th, 2024. The Ottawa Conservation District offers a 15% discount for nonprofit organizations and schools. If this applies to you, or if you are a tax-exempt organization, please contact the OCD office prior to ordering at 616-842-5852 Ext. 5. Preorders will be available for pick-up during the day-of sale.
October 9 • 5-6 PM • Hemlock Crossing
The Ottawa County Parks Foundation will be hosting their Annual Meeting on October 9 from 5-6 pm at the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing.
Join us for light refreshments as we thank Board member Pete Esser for his dedication to the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. Meet the Foundation Board of Directors, welcome the newly elected Board members, and enjoy a brief presentation about what the Foundation has accomplished this year and will be working on in 2025. Ottawa County Parks Coordinator of Park Planning and Development, Curt TerHaar, will be giving an update on Ottawa Sands and the Rosy Mound expansion.
 Want to learn more about the Ottawa County Parks Foundation? Click here to get involved.
Oct 17 • 4-6:30 PM • Ottawa Sands
Join us at the confluence of the Grand River and Lake Michigan Coastal Greenways to celebrate the grand re-opening of Ottawa Sands! Staff will be present rain or shine to answer questions about park developments, ecological restoration, and the Idema Explorers Camp. Remarks & ribbon cutting begin at 4:30 pm, followed by:
- Self-guided Park Tour
- Idema Explorers Camp* Sneak Peek
- Paddling the Sag
Ottawa Sands may reopen to pedestrian traffic earlier than the Grand Re-opening date. Stay informed by signing up for email alerts at bit.ly/ottawasandsupdates
*Please note the grand reopening will not include the Idema Explorers Camp; the camp opening date is TBA.
We all love to admire gorgeous sunrise and sunset photos. Do you know why? The 'wow' factor associated with these encounters can unlock small but significant bumps in feelings of beauty and awe. That can, in turn, have positive impacts on mental wellbeing. Let’s all share the sun this month and help each other feel great!
How to Play
- Go for a walk at sunrise or sunset this month.
- Snap a photo and tag us @OttawaCountyParks using the hashtag #SharetheSun or click here to submit your picture. Be sure to include the date, time (sunrise or sunset), and where you took the photo.
- Submit your photo from September 1-September 30. Winners will be announced on October 1.
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We invite you and your students to join us for a journey into the great outdoors of Ottawa County Parks!
Our professional outdoor educators provide field trips that are enriching, positive, and memorable, giving your students tangible experiences to relate back to what is taught in your classroom, no matter the season!
Join us on the third Saturday of each month
This fall, we will be hosting a Service Saturday on the third Saturday of each month. Volunteer with us to help protect wildlife habitats and native plant communities. Equipment and training will be provided. All ages are welcome!
Join the Ottawa Conservation District on Tuesday, September 17 from 6-7:30 pm for a Native Garden Design workshop with Lexie Kasper from the Outdoor Discovery Center Network. The workshop will be held at the Grand Ravines Lodge. Due to the capacity of the space, registration is capped at 50 people. Register before spots fill up!
You have an incredible opportunity to make a substantial impact on our community and environment!
By participating in the Statema Stewardship Fund Matching Donation Challenge, you can help the Friends of Ottawa County Parks, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, approve more grants for youth groups focusing on stewardship projects and nature education.
If FOOCP raises $1,500 in donations before October 15, a generous Friends member will match it with another $1,500, doubling the impact. The member's company will also match their $1,500 contribution, transforming the initial $1,500 into a total of $4,500 for upcoming grant projects. Your donation will help more students attend a nature education field trip, support the natural resources of Ottawa County, and much more.
Here's how you can get involved:
- Write a check to ‘Friends of Ottawa Co Parks’, noting Statema Fund on the memo line.
- Mail it to FOOCP, PO Box 84, Lamont MI 49430.
- Share your contribution story with friends and encourage them to join the challenge!
Let’s see what a few good friends can accomplish!
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The Ottawa Conservation District is looking for volunteers to help with their Native Plant Sale on October 5. All volunteers will get a free t-shirt (if you haven’t already received one this year) and get early access to the plant sale! Contact Ottawa Conservation District staff with questions at [email protected] or call 616-842-5852 Ext 5.
 
Click on a program date to be redirected to our registration page for that program!
Astronomy in Art
Registration encouraged • FREE • Ages 12+
Throughout history human beings have observed the heavens and their interpretations have been expressed in pictograms, structures, and paintings. This presentation will look at a few examples through the history of mankind.
Family Nature Day: Rendezvous! Fur Trade on the Grand
Registration encouraged • FREE • All Ages
Bring the whole family and explore nature with activities, crafts and more. Ride in the replica Gabagouache Canoe and experience a bit of what life was like during the fur trade of the 1700’s at Connor Bayou Park, a location known to have been an outpost for the trade route.
Into Nature
Birding Field Trip
Registration required • Resident-$10 / Non-Resident-$15 • Ages 12+
Shorebirds are on their way south for the winter. Intercept and identify a variety of them on these half day field trip options.
Bird Walk
Registration encouraged • FREE • Ages 12+
Whether you are an avid birder or just desiring to experience birds beyond your backyard, join us as we search for warblers, sparrows and more on these birding walks that highlight parks all around the county. Trail conditions vary depending on the park. Be prepared for muddy and wet trails.
Naturally Speaking: Ottawa County Parks Update
Registration encouraged • FREE • Ages 12+
Be the first to know about what's happening in Ottawa County Parks! Join various parks staff as they update the public on various current and upcoming parks projects, including park development, natural resource management and more.
Monarch Tagging
Registration encouraged • FREE • Ages 12+
On this casual hike, you'll experience the variety prairie wildflowers blooming in our parks through the summer.
Wildflower Walk
Registration encouraged • FREE • Ages 12+
On this casual hike, you'll experience the variety prairie wildflowers blooming in our parks through the summer.
Nature Journal Club
Registration required • Resident-$5 / Non-Resident-$6 • 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 an Introduction to Nature Journaling, however taking the class prior is not required. *Journals are not provided.
Yoga at the Nature Center
Registration required • Resident-$10 / Non-Resident-$15 • Ages 18+
Come practice yoga at the Nature Center! A certified yoga instructor will lead this session in the beautiful Great Room, with views of the forest outside. All levels of experience are welcome. *Yoga mats not provided.
Ride Through Robinson History
Registration required • Resident-$10 / Non-Resident-$15 • Ages 18+
Come pedal through history with us on the Idema Explorers and Spoonville trails. This slow roll bike ride of approximately twelve miles will take you from Riverside Park over the Grand River on 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 including the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, Jac Jungle, Bass River, Construction Aggregates, Spoonville, and more.
Kids & Families
Tuned into Nature
Registration required • Resident-$5 / Non-Resident-$6 • Ages 2-4
As evening fall upon the woods, gather around the campfire to make S'mores and engage in various campfire games & activities. MEET AT THE GROUP CAMP AREA. If weather is poor, we will move event to the Pigeon Creek Lodge.
Family Campfire
Registration required • FREE • All Ages
As evening fall upon the woods, gather around the campfire to make S'mores and engage in various campfire games & activities. MEET AT THE GROUP CAMP AREA. If weather is poor, we will move event to the Pigeon Creek Lodge.
StoryWalks
We’re collaborating with local libraries to continue providing StoryWalks this fall! 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.
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September 9-22 at Tunnel Park: Outside You Notice by Erin Alladin and Andrea Blinick
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September 23-October 6 at Paw Paw Park East: Mel Fell by Corey R. Tab
The observatory is open to the public on Friday evenings throughout the year whenever viewing conditions allow. These events are weather dependent and will be cancelled if overcast.
Make sure to check the calendar for cancellations on this page before heading to the park: holland-saaa.org
- September 6, 8 pm - Public Observing
- September 13, 8 pm - Public Observing
- September 20, 8 pm - Public Observing
- September 27, 8 pm - Public Observing
For more details: miOttawa.org/observatory
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