The Michigan Recreation and Park Association (mParks), an organization dedicated to the advancement of public spaces, recreation and natural resources, announced that the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPRC) was awarded a 2025 Park Design award for Ottawa Sands. Park Design projects typically contain landscape and facility components, such as splash pads, playgrounds, trails, and linear parks.
The award application included a narrative describing the park’s natural features and access improvements, such as the universally accessible kayak launch, 1.6-mile paved “Lake Loop” path, modern day-use restroom and parking area, interdunal wetlands, and more.
“Ottawa Sands is a testament to the importance of creating expansive, accessible, and biodiverse spaces for current and future generations,” said Jason Shamblin, OCPRC Director. “We’re honored to see this vision celebrated and proud to share this accomplishment with everyone who made it possible.”
The Park Design Award will be presented to Ottawa County Parks staff on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at the mParks Conference and Trade Show in Traverse City, Michigan. The mParks Conference & Trade Show is the premier education and networking event for Michigan’s park and recreation professionals.
Photos included in the award application:
Universally accessible kayak launch along a bay area of the Grand River at Ottawa Sands. Outdoor educators from Ottawa County Parks utilized this launch during a public program called “Colors by Kayak”.
An aerial view of the six-acre interdunal wetland, a critical habitat unique to Lake Michigan’s coastal dune ecosystem. This area was populated with native plants and woody debris to create an oasis for wildlife. Photo by GEI Consultants.
Bikers accessing the newly paved 1.6 “Lake Loop” trail through regional trail connections.
Benches have been strategically positioned at various spots around the inland lake, providing convenient resting areas. Thanks to the Ottawa County Parks Foundation’s bench program, 24 new benches have been added at Ottawa Sands.
A modern day-use restroom with barrier-free facilities. The day-use area also offers parking, including ADA-compliant spaces.
Educational signage was designed and placed near enhancement areas to educate visitors about the ecological initiatives and their intended benefits to the ecosystem.
Over 30 native plant species and 200 woody structures were placed around the lake. Temporary fencing was installed around planting areas to protect plants while they establish.
Several workdays saw staff and volunteers diligently removing invasive species from Ottawa Sands.
The Idema Explorers Camp features three treehouses, five yurts, and 10 tent pads.
A shallow area of the inland lake was enlarged and improved to create an optimal spawning ground for fish. Other parts of the shoreline were sculpted to precise contours and elevations in an effort to expand the littoral zone.
Project Narrative
Local Significance – Located at the junction of the Lake Michigan Coastal Greenway and the Grand River Greenway, Ottawa Sands County Park, a 345-acre former sand mining site, represents a remarkable transformation to a vibrant ecological and recreational hub.
To the north and south of Ottawa Sands is a six-mile, 2,400+ acre corridor of public, natural land that stretches from the Grand River’s mouth in Grand Haven to P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon County, along the Lake Michigan Coastal Greenway. Meanwhile, the Grand River Greenway in Ottawa County encompasses 9,000 acres of public land, linked by a planned 36-mile trail that spans from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven. Together, these greenways are essential components of Ottawa County Park & Recreation Commission’s (OCPRC) vision “to create a legacy of expansive, accessible, and biodiverse natural communities for all to enjoy,” especially amidst rapid urban growth.
From 2010 to 2020, Ottawa County experienced a population increase of 10.6%, making it Michigan’s fastest-growing county in that timeframe. As of 2023, Ottawa County is home to 303,372 residents. This trend poses challenges for land preservation, particularly along the Lake Michigan shoreline, where few undeveloped parcels remain. Ottawa Sands is crucial in this context, serving as the last link in a six-mile corridor of public land along Lake Michigan. Situated in Ferrysburg, Michigan, Ottawa Sands is a part of the Tri-Cities area, which also includes Grand Haven and Spring Lake. This area is home to 47,263 (2020) residents and counting. The area is valued as a destination for adults in their golden years, looking for a community in which to retire. For many years the land that is now Ottawa Sands County Park was considered a prime location for future residential development. As Ottawa County continues to grow, the balance between development and conservation remains a focal point for planners and citizens alike.
Acquisition – The journey to Ottawa Sands, as it appears today, began with a complex acquisition process. In 2017, the OCPRC was approached regarding the sale of the property, contingent on a full purchase in 2018. The OCPRC applied for an out-of-cycle Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant and was awarded approximately $4 million, which covered half of the purchase price. With limited funds available, the OCPRC partnered with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan (LCWM), which secured a short-term loan from The Conservation Fund to purchase the remaining land and entered into a management agreement. This partnership allowed the property to be managed and opened for public use until the acquisition was finalized in 2019, supported by a second MNRTF grant and additional funding from private donors. Although the park was now open, many community members were unable to fully enjoy its serenity – most of the existing trails consisted of loose sand, making it difficult to traverse.
Ottawa Sands Master Plan – Following a year-long process with extensive public input, the Ottawa Sands Master Plan and overall park design was finalized in 2020. The site design and development prioritized access improvements and ecological enhancements. The plan sought to take a regenerative approach by establishing regional multi-use trail connections, providing improved park access, as well as access to the Grand River, while also enhancing the ecology of the site.
Ecological Enhancements – While undeniably a beautiful aesthetic experience, 188 acres of the park were disturbed by the previous sand mining operations and were not functioning as intact natural communities, despite an extensive and thoughtful reclamation effort by the sand mining operation. The lake, while strikingly clear and unpolluted, lacked the nutrients and structure to support a thriving ecosystem. In partnership with Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and supported by funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and MDNR’s Fisheries Habitat Grant program, efforts were initiated to rejuvenate the native habitat for the shared benefit of wildlife and the community.
Initial steps included a detailed survey of fish populations conducted by fisheries biologists which revealed malnutrition in some adult fish and indicated a predator-prey imbalance. To address this issue, over 200 logs and woody structures were placed along the lake’s edge to provide fish with hiding spots and sources of nourishment, as well as a place for turtles to back in the sun. Additionally, GPS-equipped excavation machinery was used to sculpt the shoreline to precise contours and elevations, expanding the littoral zone. This included enlarging and improving a shallow area on the lake’s southwest shore to create an ideal spawning ground for fish. These efforts were aimed at boosting populations of smaller fish, ensuring a sufficient food supply for predators to thrive.
Thousands of native plants were planted to create an ecosystem capable of supporting an abundance of life. Several workdays saw staff and volunteers diligently removing invasive species from Ottawa Sands, further promoting ecological health.
Six acres of interdunal wetlands were created, a vital dune habitat unique to the Lake Michigan coastal dune ecosystem. These shallow pools warm early in the spring, offering migratory shorebirds an essential food source at a critical time. This is significant as the area lies within the Grand River Coastal Corridor, an ecologically important region recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Audubon Great Lakes.
Informative educational signs were installed on-site to educate visitors about the ecological restoration efforts and their benefits to the ecosystem.
Accessibility & Recreation – Access improvements included a day-use area featuring modern restrooms and parking facilities, a 1.6-mile paved loop around the inland lake, and a paved multi-use pathway connecting to North Shore Drive. 24 benches were also strategically placed around the 1.6-mile path offering resting spots for visitors to appreciate the site’s beauty.
A universally accessible kayak launch was added along a bay feature of the Grand River, enhancing Ottawa Sands’ role as a key stopping point on the Grand River Heritage Water Trail, which stretches 34 miles to Lake Michigan.
The areas designated for active recreational enhancements were limited, with only 8% of the site earmarked for improvements. A significant addition is the Idema Explorers Camp, which includes three treehouses, five yurts, and ten tent pads. Careful planning preserved the site’s tranquil aesthetic, as the camp is nestled within a bowl created by prior mining activities. This positioning ensures that the camp remains out of sight when exploring other parts of the park. The camp is scheduled to open by early 2025.
Funding – The projects at Ottawa Sands are part of a nearly $8 million effort. The previous owner sold the property to Ottawa County Parks with a generous donation of 25% of the $11.22 million appraised land value. A $3.48 million philanthropic gift from the Bill and Bea Idema Foundation helped leverage additional funding including a $3.4 million grant from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, a $300,000 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, and a $242,900 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The restoration project was funded by a $400,000 Sustain Our Great Lakes Grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, made possible by Audubon Great Lakes, and a $142,800 Fisheries Habitat Grant from the MDNR.
Today, Ottawa Sands County Park stands as a testament to the power of partnership. It not only serves as a recreational haven for outdoor enthusiasts but also acts as an educational resource, highlighting the importance of balancing conservation and sustainable land management with ensuring nature is accessible to all.