Thanks to a generous donation by Yanfeng through their iCare program, Paw Paw Park finally has its namesake tree. Pawpaws are tropical-looking understory trees that grow naturally along rivers in Southwest Michigan. Although there were only a couple of recently...
North Ottawa Dunes/Ottawa Sands Closed November 18-November 21, 2022
Park Closure Information Please note that North Ottawa Dunes & Ottawa Sands will be CLOSED for an annual wildlife management hunt on Friday, November 18 through Monday, November 21, 2022. Access is by permission only; those in the parks without permission will be...
Dark Sky Initiative
The long summer days begin to wane as we inch toward the Autumn Equinox. Sunsets happen sooner and the night sky is upon us early in the evening. This may be sad for some, but there are magical moments in September and October when the air is warm, the sky is clear,...
Protecting Pollinators: The Monarch
Each fall, as the days shorten and the temperatures decrease, monarchs begin their migration southbound for Mexico. These beloved butterflies are widely recognized for their vibrant orange wings and white spots; however, they provide an invaluable service far beyond...
Hunting in Ottawa County Parks
To apply for hunting permits online, please visit: https://www.miottawa.org/Parks/hunting.htm Hunting is an important part of managing natural lands and parks in Ottawa County. Biodiversity is dependent on a delicate balance of predator and prey populations. In...
Ticks
What is a tick? Ticks are parasitic arachnids that attach themselves to a host and have the ability to transmit diseases. They are external parasites and survive by feeding on the blood of other animals. They have oval-like bodies and four pairs of legs. Are they...
Poison Hemlock
What is poison hemlock? Poison hemlock is an invasive flower that was planted in gardens and is now spreading across Michigan. It lives only two years (biennial), but each plant can produce up to 38,000 seeds. Is it dangerous? Poison hemlock can be lethal if handled...
GVSU / Jenison High School Research
What's the scoop? Ottawa County Parks and Recreation has been working with Karina White, a biology and A.P. environmental science teacher from Jenison High School (JHS), for almost a decade through the Adopt-A-Park program. When White decided to attend Grand Valley...
Red Pine Management
UPDATE (2/28/23): The harvest is scheduled to begin once the spring thaw weight restrictions are lifted. These restrictions are lifted when it is safe to drive overweight shipments without damaging Michigan roads. Pigeon River Greenway Red pine (Pinus resinosa)...
National Trails Day
Celebrate the American Hiking Society’s #NationalTrailsDay with Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Millions of people have found physical, mental, and emotional restoration on trails and in quality green space during the pandemic. Let’s return the favor as a...