PROJECTS
Grand River Greenway & Explorers Trail
OUR VISION
The natural features in Ottawa County make it a desirable place to live, work, and play. People of all ages crave connection to the wonderful variety of outdoor experiences that Michigan offers. But these experiences require a place to go, and most people don’t have their own significant green space. We are committed to investing in green spaces in Ottawa County by purchasing, maintaining, and facilitating the access to many diverse parks that can be enjoyed by all.
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We are focused on providing more green space and recreational opportunities in Ottawa County.
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Ottawa County Parks has a proven track record for offering quality parks, open spaces, programs and services. Support from the Parks Foundation can provide the margin of excellence for the park system now and in the future.
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We raise money for land purchases, park improvements and amenities that will increase access to and diversity of park land. Foundation support helps ensure the financial sustainability of the park system.
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We can leverage a variety of gifts of any size for maximum impact.
Latest news
Green Investment – Fur traders, bootleggers and Gerald Ford: Ottawa Parks have history
Ottawa County parks have robins, streams, hemlock trees, trails, and chipmunks. They also have history. Wander the trails at Paw Paw Park at Holland and you’ll find a sign marking where immigrant Jan Rabbers in 1847 built a dock at the fork in the narrow river, to bring supplies by flatboat to the new village Read more about Green Investment – Fur traders, bootleggers and Gerald Ford: Ottawa Parks have history[…]
Veterans of the Ottawa County Poor Farm
May 16 at 7 PM, Hemlock Crossing County Park From Old Soldiers Homes that cared for Civil War veterans to the V.A. today, Americans have recognized the responsibility to provide haven for our nation’s wounded and aging warriors. But, not all in need found their way to those facilities. It seems oddly shameful and compassionate Read more about Veterans of the Ottawa County Poor Farm[…]
Green Investment – Parks offer healing, antidote for stress
Green Investment is an occasional series about the positive impact of Ottawa County parks on the quality of life in West Michigan, presented by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. Parks offer healing, antidote for stress One crisis phone call can be plenty of stress for any one of us. Dealing with hundreds a day, as Read more about Green Investment – Parks offer healing, antidote for stress[…]
Green Investment – Economic Development and the Parks
Green Investment is an occasional series about the positive impact of Ottawa County parks on the quality of life in West Michigan, presented by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. Parks Offer Green Enticement to Talent, Business Dana Grassmid loved the mountains of Colorado in seven years living near Denver, but even their heights didn’t measure Read more about Green Investment – Economic Development and the Parks[…]
Green Investment – Community Backyards
Green Investment is an occasional series about the positive impact of Ottawa County parks on the quality of life in West Michigan, presented by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. Ottawa Parks serve as big community backyards Even with several acres of property at home, Brenda Easterling and her children can’t do everything in their own Read more about Green Investment – Community Backyards[…]
Green Investment – Youth Education
Green Investment is an occasional series about the positive impact of Ottawa County parks on the quality of life in West Michigan, presented by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. Parks enrich children’s lives “I found a lily pad! I see a whole bunch of lily pads!” called little Cora, wide-eyed with her long braids flipping Read more about Green Investment – Youth Education[…]
Green Investment – Save MI Hemlocks
Green Investment is an occasional series about the positive impact of Ottawa County parks on the quality of life in West Michigan, presented by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. Residents join parks in all-out war against hemlock bugs The sun just edged above the wooded dune to the east as residents of the Forest Beach Read more about Green Investment – Save MI Hemlocks[…]
Breakfast at the Park – Event Sponsors
Thank you to… Gold Leadership Sponsor Dickson Wright Leadership Sponsor & Adopt-a-Park Company Tyson Foods Community Sponsors Baird Barber Ford of Holland Prein&Newhof Tim & Jane Stoepker Community Sponsors & Adopt-a-Park Company Chow Hound Pet Supplies Friend Sponsors GEI Consultants Kennari Consulting Scott & Julie Reenders David & Barb VanGinhoven
Public Observatory at Hemlock Crossing
The Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association (SAAA) is raising funds for West Michigan’s first public observatory! The $65,000 observatory is planned for Hemlock Crossing County Park, near the Nature Education Center. Plans can be found online. The Ottawa County Parks Foundation as well as the Friends of Ottawa County Parks have each donated $2,500, and Ottawa Read more about Public Observatory at Hemlock Crossing[…]
We are hiring!
Update: July 18, 2018 – An offer has been made. We’ll announce our new employee soon! The Ottawa County Parks Foundation is excited to announce we are hiring a Foundation Manager. Interested? Send us your resume! Job details and description can be found here.
Spring Fundraiser
The Ottawa County Parks Foundation is hosting two fundraising events this spring: Breakfast at the Park at Grand Ravines on May 17 (this event is full) Breakfast at the Park at Connor Bayou on June 7 (space available) Details and invite to the June event below.
$50,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation
Progress continues to be made on fundraising for the Grand River Greenway and the Idema Explorers Trail with a $50,000 gift from the Consumers Energy Foundation. “‘Leaving it better than we found it’ is a stand we’ve taken as a company and a foundation as we consider Michigan’s future,” said Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Read more about $50,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation[…]
Green Investment – Volunteerism
Green Investment is an occasional series about the positive impact of Ottawa County parks on the quality of life in West Michigan, presented by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. This is the first story in the series. Volunteers give and get benefits in Ottawa Parks By Ben Beversluis, Ottawa County Parks Foundation Whether hiking a Read more about Green Investment – Volunteerism[…]
Green Investment – Health
Green Investment is an occasional series about the positive impact of Ottawa County parks on the quality of life in West Michigan, presented by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. This is the first story in the series. A HEALTHY APPEAL Ottawa County Parks offer ample opportunities to exercise By Ben Beversluis, Ottawa County Parks Foundation Read more about Green Investment – Health[…]
Signs of Spring
Spring has sprung! Our spring newsletter offers tips on finding Signs of Spring in our local parks. Visit some of these suggested sites to see what spring brings to Ottawa County. Don’t miss another newsletter! Sign up here.
Green Investment
Green Investment is an occasional series about the positive impact of Ottawa County Parks on the quality of life in West Michigan, presented by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. Stay tuned for the first article in the series.
Become a Sponsor
Our spring breakfast events are coming up! Support the Parks Foundation by becoming a table host or event sponsor. Sponsors help cover the cost of necessary fundraising events and outreach. Contact us to learn more about hosting a table or sponsoring an event: parksfoundation@miottawa.org Download Sponsorship Levels-2018
Old Times, Places, and Faces along the Grand River Greenway
Board member and local historian Marjorie Viveen will be presenting stories from the Grand River Greenway throughout 2018. Immerse yourself in local history by joining us for this free series at the Nature Education Center at Hemlock Crossing County Park at 10 am on the following dates: April 21 July 14 October 13 Please note Read more about Old Times, Places, and Faces along the Grand River Greenway[…]
Grand River Greenway taking shape
Original story: http://woodtv.com/2018/01/25/grand-river-greenway-taking-shape A trail that will take nature lovers along the Grand River from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven continues to take its shape. The $40 million Grand River Greenway project recently got a big boost in fundraising from the private sector. Earlier this month, the Bill and Bea Idema Foundation pledged $2 million towards the project Read more about Grand River Greenway taking shape[…]
Now announcing the Idema Explorers Trail!
The Ottawa Parks Foundation is pleased to announce a landmark $2 million gift from the Bill and Bea Idema Foundation for the development of the Grand River Greenway. The Ottawa County Parks Foundation appreciates the great passion and support of Bea Idema for nature, education and for the preservation of the environment for future generations. In Read more about Now announcing the Idema Explorers Trail![…]