Accessibility in Ottawa County Parks
We receive a lot of questions about which parks are most accessible. You can access the full accessibility chart by clicking here, but here is a quick list of accessible amenities the Ottawa County Parks system has to offer.
Paved paths and accessible walk ways in Ottawa County Parks
Black Lake Boardwalk/Historic Ottawa Beach: Black Lake Boardwalk is a fully-accessible boardwalk along Lake Macatawa. Length is just under 0.5 miles.
Grand Ravines: Both the north and south properties boast excellent, 10′ wide paved pathways. On the south side, begin at the parking lot and head northeast to the fully accessible 275′ long suspension bridge. The fully-enclosed dog park also offers paved trails and easy-to-open and close gates. On the north side of the park, there is a paved path that winds down to the edge of the Grand River. You can frequently spot bald eagles soaring in the sky from this trail.
Bikes welcome (must be walked across suspension bridge).
Grand River Park: In addition to paved paths this park also has an accessible boardwalk and playground, as well as a one-mile nature sensory trail designed for families with autistic children.
Mountain bikes welcome.
Hemlock Crossing: The paved path at Hemlock Crossing winds through the restored native prairie land. There is also an accessible boardwalk through a wetland. Many of the natural surface trails are also fully accessible.
Bikes are not allowed.
Musketawa Trail: The Musketawa Trail offers nearly 11 miles of paved path in Ottawa County.
Bikes welcome.
Paw Paw Park: Paved paths and accessible bridges can be found on the east side of Paw Paw Park.
Bikes welcome on paved trails.
Upper Macatawa Natural Area: The 2.5-mile paved path in Upper Macatawa Natural area is 10′ wide and serves as the connection from Kent County to the Adams Street’s bike path, which runs to the lakeshore, on the south side.
Bikes welcome on paved trails and mountain bike trails only.
Accessible Lakeshore Parks and Beaches
North Beach Park: Barrier-free facilities include the picnic shelter, restrooms, beach walkway, dune overlook deck, playground and some picnic tables and grills. Thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of Ottawa County Parks, there is now a Mobi Chair, an accessible beach wheel chair, available for the public to use free-of-charge at this location. The wheel chair was designed to navigate the sand and can also float in the water. The Mobi Chair is available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day during park hours. Anyone interested in using it should speak to the Park Attendant on duty. For use during the off-season, contact the Parks office: (616) 738-4810.
Kirk Park and Tunnel Park offer paved trails to viewing areas of Lake Michigan, but do not have accessible paths to the beach.
There are accessible natural surface paths at Rosy Mound Natural Area and Olive Shores, but they do not have views or, nor access to Lake Michigan.
Kayak Launches
Universally accessible kayak launches can be found at: Connor Bayou, Eastmanville Bayou, Grand River Park, and Grand Ravines. These platforms make launching in and out of the water much easier, although, help may be required to get kayaks to the water’s edge. Each requires at least a short walk to the launch. Walks to the launches are paved.
Other Amenities
Other accessible amenities offered within the parks system include: natural surface trails, picnic tables and shelters, restrooms, rental facilities, fishing docks, and more. See our full accessibility chart here.
Accessibility Analysis
An expressed goal of Ottawa County Parks is to offer facilities, programs, and services that are accessible to all persons, regardless of their level of ability. Meeting this goal requires close examination of not only physical barriers to participation but also the attitudes and philosophy of the agency itself. Parks has adopted the following statement of philosophy: The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission intends to fully comply in spirit and intent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. We will provide reasonable accommodation to provide an opportunity for all to participate in an inclusive environment to provide quality leisure experiences.
Considerable legislation exists to ensure the rights of people with disabilities to participate in recreation opportunities. Most significant is “The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990” (ADA), which was enacted “to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.” Since that time standards and guidelines have been published by the Department of Justice and the Architectural and Transportation Compliance Board (Access Board) to regulate and guide new and renovated facilities.
To review an analysis of accessibility within the Ottawa County Parks System, click here and scroll to Chapter 11 (pg. 215). Our long-range plan includes a full analysis and ranking of every park and open space property.