For a number of years, Ottawa County Parks has explored options to purchase an ecologically important property with over 6,000 feet of frontage on Stearns Bayou and Stearns Creek. This 117-acre property features exceptional floodplain and wetland areas with rare stands of wild rice, a state threatened species. It also includes small traces of old growth forest and scenic views of the Stearns Creek floodplain as well as abandoned farmland which has good potential for restoration as oak savannah habitat. If successfully acquired, the current plan is to create a park at the site, with natural surface trails, overlooks, and fishing and kayak access on Stearns Bayou.

A grant was awarded in 2017 by the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) to fund a portion of the acquisition cost.  A Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to help match the CELCP grant was recommended in 2017. Environmental and appraisal work will begin on the Stearns Creek acquisition after the legislature appropriates the funds and there is a formal grant agreement in place.

*Update June 6: The grant agreement was received and approved by the Parks Commission. It will be sent to the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners for approval.