Land Acquisition, Trail Connections, and More! 





Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

ottawa county parks header

*For immediate release - January 2, 2025
*Press contacts:
Rylie Dorman <[email protected]>, 616-786-4847

________________________________________________________________________







Good News for Greenways: Land Acquisition, Trail Connections, and More! 

Ottawa County Parks and Recreation is thrilled to announce significant funding recommendations for several park projects slated for 2025. This funding will enhance recreational opportunities, improve facilities, and expand natural spaces that are vital to our community. 

________________________________________________________________________



"*Our mission: To enhance well-being by stewarding a connected system of natural communities and promoting outdoor experiences.*"

"*Our vision: To be a leader in creating a legacy of expansive, accessible, and biodiverse natural communities for all to enjoy.*"

________________________________________________________________________



*LAKE MICHIGAN COASTAL GREENWAY* 

*Rosy Mound Natural Area Acquisition - *A significant milestone has been reached with the acquisition of the Rosy Mound Expansion property, finalized on December 20, 2024. This 127-acre acquisition nearly doubles the size of Rosy Mound Natural Area to 291 acres, completing a vision that has been in place since 1989. This acquisition was funded with $3.29 million in grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF), a significant donation of value by the landowner, funding from the Ottawa County Parks Foundation (OCPF) [ [link removed] ], and the Ottawa County Parks millage. This expansion is a critical step in achieving our vision of creating a connected system of natural communities for public enjoyment. 

"This acquisition represents our commitment to providing high quality natural resources and recreational opportunities to residents and visitors of Ottawa County while ensuring that this beautiful coastal dune ecosystem thrives for generations to come. This would not be possible without the MNRTF, the generosity of the landowner, donors to the OCPF, and the residents of Ottawa County." - OCPRC Director, Jason Shamblin

The upcoming 2024 Master Plan update [ [link removed] ] for Rosy Mound will integrate this new expansion area, focusing on ecological enhancements and improved visitor access. The preliminary plan calls for recreational improvements on only 2.5% of the expansion area, ensuring that 97.5% of the land remains in its natural state or receives ecological enhancements. Proposed features include paved parking, picnic spots, and an expanded trail system.  

Rosy Mound Natural Area Expansion Map

Rosy Mound Expansion Area - Overall Draft Concept Master Plan (Ottawa County Parks and Recreation & MCSA Group)

*Learn more about this project* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________



[ [link removed] ]*GRAND RIVER GREENWAY * 

*Bass River Segment - *The first three miles of the Bass River Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail are planned for construction next year, connecting Riverside Park and the Bass River State Recreation Area in Robinson and Allendale townships. This project is being done in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) through a management agreement that allows for the construction of the Idema Explorers Trail in the 1,665-acre property. Eventually, the Bass River Segment will be over 7.4 miles from Riverside Park to Eastmanvile Bayou Open Space. As part of the partnership, the MDNR applied for $750,000 in Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant funding and in December this grant was recommended for funding. As a result, this phase of the project should be fully funded. With design completed and permits in place, this project is expected to go to bid in mid-2025. This project will include areas along the waterfront of Kirby Bayou at Riverside Park and Max Bayou at the Bass River State Recreation Area.  

For more on the 2024 MNRTF recommendations, see this MDNR press release. [ [link removed] ] 

Bass River Segment

Bass River Segment Map (Ottawa County Parks and Recreation)

*Eastmanville Connector - *Another portion of the Idema Explorers Trail is also in line for grant funding. In December, a $400,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant for the Eastmanville Connector in Allendale Township was recommended for funding. Once proposed funding is approved by the state legislature, construction can begin (anticipated for late fall 2025). This 2.3-mile project will connect neighborhoods in Allendale Township to Eastmanville Bayou Open Space and includes nearly 0.7 miles directly along the Grand River, further enhancing our trail network.

For more on the 2024 MNRTF recommendations, see this MDNR press release. [ [link removed] ] 

Bed Aldrink Legacy Map

Eastmanville Connector Segment Map (Ottawa County Parks and Recreation)

________________________________________________________________________



*MACATAWA RIVER GREENWAY* 

*Upper Macatawa Natural Area - *In December, a $347,500 LWCF grant from the MDNR was recommended for funding that will assist with the construction of a modern, year-round restroom facility at the 84th Avenue access site at the Upper Macatawa Natural Area. This facility will include showers for mountain bikers and a water collection system, with design and permitting currently underway. This project is expected to go to bid in mid-2025. For more on the 2024 LWCF recommendations, see this MDNR press release. [ [link removed] ] 

This initiative is part of the larger Middle Macatawa project which would further develop and connect the Macatawa Greenway. For more information, see this blog page [ [link removed] ]. 

________________________________________________________________________



*REGIONAL TRAILS* 

*Musketawa Trail - *Starting January 6, 2025, the nearly 12-mile-long section of the Musketawa Trail in Ottawa County will be closed for a major reconstruction project. The trailheads in Marne and Conklin will be inaccessible during this time. This work includes 11 culvert replacements, one bridge replacement, trail repaving, and extensive tree clearing work. The expected project duration is about one year. 

"This project is made possible thanks to a proposed $12.5 million in federal relief funding from ""Gov. Whitmer's Building Michigan Together Plan" [ [link removed] ]". This specific trail segment project totals about $7 million. "View the MDNR’s interactive nonmotorized trail map [ [link removed] ] and interactive snowmobile trail map [ [link removed] ] for more details." " 

________________________________________________________________________














*#  #  #*

*"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 John Teeples | Vice-Chairperson Josh Brugger | Jim Barry | Jacob Bonnema | Jordan Jorritsma | Phil Kuyers | Joe Moss | Sylvia Rhodea | Kendra Wenzel | Doug R. Zylstra

________________________________________________________________________

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] ]