Last updated: October 5, 2026 Why We Use Prescribed Fire Prescribed fire is a planned, carefully managed burn used to restore and maintain fire-dependent ecosystems. Fire was once a natural part of many Michigan landscapes. Today, prescribed fire helps restore...
Park Closure Information The Lakeshore Wildlife Management firearm hunt will take place November 20-23, 2026, at North Ottawa Dunes, Ottawa Sands, and P.J. Hoffmaster State Park. The parks will be closed to the general public Friday, November 20 through Monday,...
To apply for hunting permits online, please visit: https://www.miottawa.org/hunting Applications close on August 31, 2026. Hunting is an important part of managing natural lands and parks in Ottawa County. Biodiversity is critical to ecosystem health and is dependent...
What is Oak Wilt? Oak wilt is a harmful fungus that can kill oak trees, especially red oaks, in just a few weeks to months. It spreads in two main ways: Aboveground: Small sap beetles transfer fungal spore pads from recently infected trees to trees with fresh wounds...
Enhancing Access, Ecology, and Experience In 2024, Ottawa County Parks began a transformative effort at Ottawa Sands, focusing on improving public access and restoring vital natural habitats. These initiatives are part of an $8 million investment to implement the...
It was a productive summer for natural resources management staff, marked by significant progress on a variety of restoration projects across our parks. Staff and volunteers continued plug plantings, hand seeding, and invasive species removal in several monarch...
The Department of Public Health will be conducting tick and mosquito surveillance through September in county parks. This research involves tick drags, where a tick cloth is dragged along the trail edge, and placing 24-hour mosquito traps at various sites. Identified...
The current work to create wetlands at Ottawa Sands grows not only out of the Ottawa Sands Master Plan but also the 2021 Grand River Coastal Corridor Assessment. Audubon Great Lakes, commissioned by Ottawa County Parks, formulated a comprehensive conservation analysis...
Updated on: June 7, 2024 Help keep our beaches clean this summer! This summer booths at Tunnel Park, Kirk Park, North Beach Park will be outfitted with materials for park visitors to become a Beach Buddy. When visitors arrive at the park, they can request a Beach...
Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering in our parks! Join us to remove invasive species and clean up litter. Participants are welcome to come and go at any time during the events. Look for the volunteer-staffed table in the main parking lot at each location—all equipment...