Come celebrate significant ecological restoration and new amenities



Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

Parks header

Oct 7, 2024 – For immediate release
Press contact: Rylie Dorman <[email protected]>, (616) 994-4774


________________________________________________________________________



Ottawa Sands Grand Re-Opening

October 17, 2024 at 4 PM

Parking at 18280 North Shore Drive, Ferrysburg, MI [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________


Ottawa Sands Aerial Image

Aerial image of inland lake at Ottawa Sands, including new "Lake Loop" paved path. Photo by GEI Consultants

Join us at the conjunction of the Grand River and Lake Michigan Coastal Greenways to celebrate Ottawa Sands! Staff will be present rain or shine to answer questions about ecological restoration, access improvements, park amenities, and the Idema Explorers Camp*.

" "Comments begin at 4:30 pm (rain or shine)

* *4:00pm*: Event begins
* *4:30pm*: Remarks & ribbon cutting
* *Following remarks/ribbon cutting*:
* Self-Guided Park Tour
* Idema Explorers Camp Sneak Peek
* Paddling in the Sag

"*The grand re-opening does not include the Idema Explorers Camp; the camp opening date is TBA."

Learn more: news.miottawa.org/ottawasands [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________

Ottawa Sands Project Background

Ottawa Sands is a 345-acre former sand mining site that is a junction point between the Lake Michigan Coastal Greenway and Grand River Greenway. It is bordered by significant public coastal dune properties to the north and south and is the final link in a 2,479-acre corridor of public, natural land. 

After extensive ecological enhancements and access improvements, Ottawa Sands County Park is ready to welcome visitors with improved amenities, restored natural habitats, and new recreational opportunities. This project aligns with the themes in the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission's (OCPRC) recently released strategic plan [ [link removed] ], which envisions the OCPRC as a leader in creating a legacy of expansive, accessible, and biodiverse natural communities for all to enjoy. The re-opening marks a significant milestone in our commitment to protecting natural spaces for generations to come while providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all ages and abilities. 

As of 2024, visitors can enjoy the following new amenities:


* ADA-compliant parking and modern restroom facilities
* A paved 1.6-mile "Lake Loop" trail
* Accessible benches and scenic views around the lake
* A universally accessible kayak launch along a bay area of the Grand River, known as “the Sag”

The project adopted a "regenerative approach" laid out in the Ottawa Sands Master Plan [ [link removed] ], preserving the serene aesthetic experience of Ottawa Sands while promoting ecological health. Prior to becoming a county park, 188 acres of the park had been significantly disturbed by the previous sand mining operations and were not functioning as intact natural communities, including the manmade mined lake. In collaboration with Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), with funding from the Sustain our Great Lakes program and the Fisheries Habitat Grant program, Ottawa County Parks & Recreation embarked on a number of active ecological enhancements including: 


* Converting a six-acre area of filled-in mining lagoon to interdunal wetland
* Planting native marram grass and native seed mix dispersal on constructed dune for stabilization
* Shoreline grading and placing woody habitat structures around the lake for habitat
* Planting native plugs and seeds around the lake
* Dune construction
* Invasive species removal

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 other grants for additional amenities such as a $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.

Learn more about the early project days and funding [ [link removed] ]

Dune at Ottawa Sands

Aerial image of constructed dune and Idema Explorers Camp. Photo by GEI Consultants

________________________________________________________________________



OCPF logo
Benches Available for Sponsorship at Ottawa Sands

Ottawa Sands, a former sand mine transformed into an accessible park, offers a breathtaking paved lake loop with benches strategically placed along the path. These benches are perfect for a moment of reflection or a shared conversation, they are a wonderful way to create a lasting tribute to a loved one, celebrate a milestone, or simply commemorate a special memory. Enjoy the beauty of Ottawa Sands while remembering those who matter most.

Along the 1.6-mile trail around the lake, there are 4 benches [ [link removed] ] still available for sponsorship through the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.

Interested in learning more about benches available for sponsorship at Ottawa Sands? Complete this form [ [link removed] ]. Enter Ottawa Sands in the Preferred Park section.

"Want to learn more about the Ottawa County Parks Foundation? *Click here to get involved.* [ [link removed] ]"



________________________________________________________________________



DropBox with additional photos  [ [link removed] ]



*#  #  #*

*"Images included with this press release may be reproduced for editorial use."*

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

Operations, improvements and programs are funded by grants, private donations [ [link removed] ], 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 [ [link removed] ]

Parks logo [ [link removed] ] 

Ottawa County Parks &
Recreation Commission



 

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

[ [link removed] ] 



Linked In [ [link removed] ]



Contact Us <[email protected]>  |  Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com ]

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners: Chairperson Joe Moss | Vice-Chairperson Sylvia Rhodea | Gretchen Cosby | Roger Bergman | Chris Kleinjans | Jacob Bonnema | Rebekah Curran | Roger Belknap | Doug Zylstra | Allison Miedema | Kendra Wenzel

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Ottawa County, Michigan · 12220 Fillmore Street · West Olive, MI 49460 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]