 June
Scroll down to find information about ways to get outside this spring, as well as upcoming programs, events, and much more. Thank you for reading!
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The Grand Crossings Loop is officially complete
Thanks to the newly completed six-mile Bayou Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail, you can now explore a 24-mile continuous loop around the Grand River between US-31 and M-231 — connecting parks, communities, and stunning natural spaces along the way.
This major milestone was made possible by:
- The expansion of the Green Street Bridge over Stearns Bayou, improving safety and creating scenic spots for fishing and wildlife viewing
- New wayfinding signage throughout Grand Haven
“This project opens up access to a beautiful and meaningful part of the Grand River,” said Monica and Samantha Verplank, co-chairs of the Grand River Greenway Capital Campaign, along with Ambassador Peter Secchia (who passed away in 2020). “This area was special to our father-in-law, Gary Verplank, and we’re proud to see this vision come to life.”
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You're Invited to Celebrate the Completion of the Bayou Segment
Jun 26 @ 3 PM • 14023 Green St, Grand Haven, MI
Join us to celebrate the most recent addition to the Idema Explorers Trail! The six-mile Bayou Segment in Robinson Township includes an upgraded pedestrian bridge over Stearns Bayou and newly installed wayfinding signage in Grand Haven. This crucial connection links 1,000 acres of parkland and completes the 24-mile Grand Crossings Loop.
 The Grand Crossings Loop is a 24-mile continuous trail made up of segments from the Idema Explorers Trail, Spoonville Trail, and North Bank Trail, connecting communities from Grand Haven to Nunica. Key access points include trailheads at 144th Avenue, M-231, and Connor Bayou County Park.
The Zee Bus Returns!
The Zee Bus, a rolling library in the Zeeland area, will return this summer from June-August! Join us every Thursday from 9:30-11:30 AM for exciting nature activities led by an Outdoor Educator. Follow Zee Bus on Facebook for more frequent updates.
The Idema Explorers Camp is NOW OPEN
The Idema Explorers Camp (IEC) is officially open, offering a unique overnight experience in nature at Ottawa Sands County Park. Located at intersection of Lake Michigan and the Grand River, the IEC features three treehouses, five yurts, and 10 tent sites.
Whether you're looking for a peaceful weekend retreat or a fun group camping experience, IEC offers the perfect setting to connect with nature.
Plan your stay or learn more at miottawa.org/IEC.
 Yurt Village at night in the Idema Explorers Camp. Photo by Anita Yoder.
Summer Camps Start Next Week!
Weekly sessions available from June-August
Don’t miss out on a summer of fun and adventure. Register now for our full-day, week-long summer camps. Campers will explore Hager Park, a 104-acre family park known for its scenic nature trails and multiple playgrounds. Plus, NEW this year… archery every week!
There are two groups to choose from:
- Greenway Explorers (Ages 6-8)
- Greenway Voyageurs (Ages 9-13)
Looking for summer fun without the full-week commitment? Our half-day summer camps are the perfect way for kids to stay active, learn new skills, and make friends.
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Early Sprouts (Ages 4-5 w/ Caregiver) – Each week, we will explore a different natural theme at Hemlock Crossing through music, games, books, outdoor exploration and crafts. A caregiver must remain with the child for the duration of the program.
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Nature Buds (Ages 6-9)- Explore and engage with nature at Hemlock Crossing through activities that may include using dip nets in the wetland, catching insects, and searching for salamanders! Caregivers drop off children.
Reminder: Motor Vehicle Permits Required at County Lakeshore Parks
Ottawa County Motor Vehicle Permits are required at lakeshore parks and the Riverside Park Boat Launch from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Annual permits are $25; daily permits are $8. Discounted permits are available for residents, senior residents (60+), and resident United States military members, including active duty and veterans, when purchased online. The on-site fee stations cannot verify residency, so no discounted permits will be sold at these stations.
Visit Every Park Challenge
Prizes are available for pickup at the Nature Center!
Looking for a fun and rewarding way to explore Ottawa County's natural spaces? Take on the Visit Every Park Challenge and discover the beauty of over 40 unique parks and open spaces, featuring more than 7,400 acres of land and 150+ miles of trails just waiting to be explored.
How it works:
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Visit 20+ parks – Receive a patch or decal
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Visit 30+ parks – Patch or decal + 1 entry for the grand prize
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Visit 40+ parks – Patch or decal + 2 entries for the grand prize
Grand Prize:
Choose your own exclusive park adventure! Options may include a guided kayak trip, private night sky viewing, or other memorable experiences.
Make sure to use #ottawacountyparks or tag us in your photos @ottawacountyparks!
This challenge is supported by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.
 Naturally Speaking: Ottawa County Parks Update
June 5 • 7-8:30 PM • Hemlock Crossing
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.
Recreation Saturday: Geocaching
June 7• 10 AM-12 PM • Hemlock Crossing
We will be learning about geocaching and exploring the geocaches here at Hemlock Crossing Park. This event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events offered by Geocache HQ to celebrate 25 years of geocaching. Click here to learn more.
If you would like to download and install the official geocaching app, go here.
Recreation Saturday is scheduled on the 1st Saturday of each month.
Nature Saturday: Birding
June 14 • 10 AM-12 PM • Hemlock Crossing
Interested in birding? Come join others to search a variety of birds and learn about which ones are found locally in our parks and how to identify them.
Nature Saturday is scheduled on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
Grand Explorers' Trail Race
June 21, 2025 @ 8:00 AM - Grand River Park to Grand Ravines
The Ottawa County Parks Foundation and Ottawa County Parks are excited to host this fun, family-friendly run/walk and celebrate the recently completed Idema Explorers Trail that connects Grand River Park to Grand Ravines Park. Come and enjoy nature, community, and some post-race treats. #2parks1race
Family Nature Day: Myths & Mysteries!
June 28 • 10 am - 4 pm • Hemlock Crossing
What myths of strange creatures and mysteries of the natural world do you know of? Come learn about some of the mythical creatures that exist in our human cultures and also engage with some mysteries of how REAL creatures do the odd and seemingly impossible things they do!
In partnership with Herrick District Library and their “The truth is out there” Summer Reading Program theme. More information can be found at their website: herrickdl.org/summer-challenge.
 Volunteer with us every third Saturday of the month!
Service Saturday: Dame's Rocket Removal
June 21 • 10 AM-12 PM • Paw Paw Park West
Invasive plant species are one of the leading causes of habitat loss. Volunteer with us to help protect wildlife habitats and native plant communities! We will work together to remove invasive dame's rocket by hand pulling. All equipment and training will be provided.
Prescribed Fire at Stearns Creek Update
Ottawa County Parks recently completed a 3-acre prescribed burn at Stearns Creek Helstrom Family Natural Area.
Why this location?
Native plants like wild lupine, frostweed, and bastard toadflax suggest this area was historically a savanna-type ecosystem, which depends on periodic fire to maintain its structure and biodiversity.
Why burn?
Prescribed burns help reduce invasive species, limit encroachment by woody plants, and stimulate the native seed bank. One of the major ecological objectives of the burn was to reduce spotted knapweed, a pervasive, allelopathic invasive species which is in its most vulnerable stage right now.
We’ll continue monitoring the site in the months and years ahead to track progress. Stay tuned for updates!
 Fire will further benefit the natural communities within Stearns Creek Park by mimicking a more natural fire regime.
 June
Click on a program date to be redirected to our registration page for that program!
Into Nature
Astronomy: Public Observing
No registration necessary • FREE • All Ages
Observe the night sky with the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association. They will have the observatory open and telescopes available to view from (weather/cloud cover permitting). When viewing conditions call for overcast skies, chance of rain or snow, the viewing session will be canceled.
Before heading to the park, check holland-saaa.org for updated information. Please note the gate closes automatically at 10 pm, so you will need to arrive before then to enter the park.
Sunday Stroll
Registration required • FREE • All Ages
Take a guided stroll at 2 pm every Sunday at Hemlock Crossing! Topics vary.
Summer Wildflower Walk
Registration encouraged • FREE • Ages 12+
On this casual hike, you'll experience the variety of prairie wildflowers blooming in our parks through the summer.
Nature Saturday: Birding
Registration encouraged • FREE • All Ages
Interested in birding? Come join others to search a variety of birds and learn about which ones are found locally in our parks and how to identify them.
Nature Saturday is scheduled on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Each date will feature a different nature-focused topic/activity you can engage in at Ottawa County Parks.
Wildflower Identification Workshop
Registration encouraged • Resident-$5 / Non-Resident-$6 • Ages 12+
Learn to identify native flowering plants using Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. We’ll learn different leaf and flower types, how to count floral parts and more. Using the guide in both the lab and field will help you gain added expertise and knowledge in plant identification.
Butterfly Walk
Registration encouraged • FREE • Ages 12+
Late spring and summer are the best times to observe butterflies flying and foraging on flowers in the parks! Join us in a guided nature walk focused on observing and identifying different species of butterflies in a natural setting to learn about different species common in Michigan. You will learn about the butterfly life cycles, caterpillars, and plants they depend on for survival. Bring a camera, if you’d like!
Earth Encounters: Lake Michigan Dunes
Registration encouraged • Resident-$5 / Non-Resident-$6 • Ages 8+
Does “Lake Michigan Dune Complex” sound complicated? Through a combination of presentation, activities, and dune-topping hike, we’ll simplify things a bit and help you understand how dune complexes are formed and where can they be found in our county parks. We'll meet at the Kirk Park lodge for a presentation, followed by a hike.
Awareness, Art, and Action: Native Bees
Registration encouraged • Resident-$10 / Non-Resident-$15 • Ages 12+
The importance of bees has become a hot topic in the conservation and preservation of natural landscapes. We’ll help you gain an understanding of why that is while learning to recognize several types of bees, making nature journal entries, and taking a survey of the bees we see in our meadow.
Recreation Saturday: Geocaching
Registration encouraged • FREE • All Ages
We will be learning about geocaching and exploring the geocaches here at Hemlock Crossing Park. This event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events offered by Geocaching HQ to celebrate 25 years of geocaching. Click here to learn more.
Nature Journal Club: Swamped!
Registration required • Resident-$5 / Non-Resident-$6 • Ages 18+
Swamps are sometimes avoided, sometimes despised, and often misunderstood. What makes swamps special? Are they important? How do they differ from other wetland types? This month, we'll let ourselves get swamped by these questions and go mucking around for some answers.
Kayak Ottawa Sands
Registration required • Resident-$25 / Non-Resident-$30 • Ages 12+
Bask in the glory of nature on this leisurely guided kayak trip along the shores of the Grand River. You’ll explore the Ottawa Sands "Sag", an area with minimal current and maximum beauty. The area was identified as a globally critical migratory bird area! Kayaks, paddles, pfd's included.
Forest Bathing
Registration required • Resident-$25 / Non-Resident-$30 • Ages 18+
Join us for a guided forest bathing session designed to help you disconnect from daily stressors and reconnect with nature. Our guide, Chrystal Drewhitt of Metta and Shanti, will lead you through a serene woodland path, encouraging you to engage all five senses. Please bring a journal, pen, and bottled water.
Paddle the Pigeon
Registration required • Resident-$25 / Non-Resident-$30 • Ages 12+
Join us on a leisurely guided kayak trip down the Pigeon River, enjoying the sights and sounds as you paddle through Hemlock Crossing and Pine Bend Parks. Kayaks, Paddles, and PFD's included in fee.
Kids & Families
Family Nature Day: Myths and Mysteries!
Registration required • Resident-$5 / Non-Resident-$6 • Ages 2-4
What myths of strange creatures and mysteries of the natural world do you know of? Come learn about some of the mythical creatures that exist in our human cultures and also engage with some mysteries of how REAL creatures do the odd and seemingly impossible things they do!
In partnership with Herrick District Library and their “The truth is out there” Summer Reading Program theme. More information can be found at their website.
StoryWalks
No registration required • FREE • All Ages
Take a StoryWalk®! Pages from a featured book will be posted on signs along the path for your family to read together. Stories are available to read during park hours. Thank you to our local libraries, Loutit District Library and Herrick District Library, for making StoryWalks possible!
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June 2 – 22 at Riley Trails: In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming
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*June 16 – July 6 at Paw Paw Park East: Milo Walking by James Howe
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*June 30 – July 20 at Pine Bend: Now by Antoinette Portis
* This StoryWalk is presented in collaboration with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health’s 5-2-1-0 Let’s Go! initiative!
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