Ottawa County Parks Foundation – April 2021 Newsletter
Five Years of Supporting Ottawa County Parks
This year marks the FIVE-YEAR anniversary of the Ottawa County Parks Foundation!
FIVE years ago, we were officially established as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
FIVE big things you’ve helped us fund-raise for:
The amazing acquisition of Ottawa Sands County Park
Connecting segments for the Idema Explorers Trail on the Grand River Greenway
Signage for the beautiful and historic Stearns Creek County Park
Interpretive signage and preservation of historic elements at several parks, including a historic home at the Bend Area
Funding for Ottawa Sands master plan and natural features inventory!
FIVE things coming in the near future:
An astronomical observatory at Hemlock Crossing County Park
Adding key parcels of land to the Bend Area for a major future park
Yurt and treehouse camping at Ottawa Sands
A very cool “treehouse” overlook at Grand Ravines County Park
Educational programming throughout the park system!
Please contact us for more info on any of these and thank you for your continuing support!
2020 Impact Report
Thanks to the support of our generous donors, the Ottawa County Parks Foundation enjoyed a successful 2020. It was not the year any of us expected, yet Ottawa County Parks saw record attendance as people flocked to outdoor spaces for their physical and mental well-being. The Foundation committed funds to several key Parks projects.
FIVE ways you can help us keep the momentum going and help us be positioned to take advantage of future opportunities to make our wonderful county parks even better:
Donate $5, $50, or $500 in honor of our five-year anniversary
Become a member of our Park Sustainers Club with a monthly gift of any size (or increase your current gift by $5!)
Volunteer on a committee
Donate $250 or more and join an exclusive group of supports in the Stewardship Circle.
Include a gift in your estate planning and become a member of Parks for Life!
Featured Park:
Historic Ottawa Beach Parks
East 2278 Black Lake Avenue, Holland
West 2358 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland
Historic Ottawa Beach Parks include the Black Lake Boardwalks, Mt. Pisgah and the Lake Michigan Beach adjacent to Holland State Park. This site, established by the West Michigan Park Association in 1886, is made up of 58 acres that border a number of historic cottages and was once home to the Ottawa Beach Hotel. Learn more about its fascinating history. It includes 750 feet of Lake Michigan frontage, 2400 feet of Lake Macatawa shoreline and beautiful wooded dunes which are dispersed between the cottages and Holland State Park. Visitors are encouraged to make the climb up to Mt. Pisgah and enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding areas.
County Parks Foundation enjoyed a successful 2020. It was not the year any of us expected, yet Ottawa County Parks saw record attendance as people flocked to outdoor spaces for their physical and mental well-being. The Foundation committed funds to several key Parks projects.
