New Year, New Ottawa County Parks Foundation Board of Directors
The Ottawa County Parks Foundation is pleased to welcome Scott Blinkhorn as a new member of its Board of Directors. Scott brings valuable experience and a shared passion for supporting parks and outdoor spaces across Ottawa County.
In addition, the Foundation has elected its officers for 2026. Dr. Barbara Brown will serve as President, John Scholtz as Vice President, Shelly Stephens as Secretary, and Greg Boynton as Treasurer. Together, the Board looks forward to continued stewardship and support of Ottawa County’s parks through leadership, advocacy, and community engagement.
Scott Blinkhorn
The Ottawa County Parks Foundation is pleased to welcome Scott Blinkhorn to its Board of Directors. Scott brings more than 40 years of experience in fund development, administration, and management from West Michigan health agencies and Grand Valley State University.
Scott and his wife, Carla, have lived in Ottawa County for 18 years and have grown to deeply appreciate the scope and quality of the Ottawa County Parks system. A lifelong Michigan resident and avid traveler, Scott values the parks as a treasured community resource. He looks forward to supporting the Foundation by sharing his time, talents, and passion for Ottawa County Parks.
Learn more about the 2026 Scavenger Hunt by clicking the picture below.
Featured Park: Eastmanville Farm
This 229 acre property was once Ottawa County’s “poor farm” providing housing and work for indigent residents. Now an Ottawa County Park, the site is a breathtaking array of rolling open fields, steeply sloped stream corridors, and 1367 feet of Grand River shoreline. Remnants of the past include the 1930’s era barn and historic cemetery.
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is a native shrub found on borders of forests and shores, in moist soil of roadsides and ditches, on banks of rivers, and other moist ground. It is a flood-tolerant species which can thrive in areas with fluctuating water levels. Its extensive root system helps stabilize soil and reduce erosion.
It has been found in nearly every county in both the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. It also occurs in every state in the northern part of the U.S., from Washington to Maine, and throughout Canada. Once thought to be a subspecies of Viburnum opulus, very recent genetic studies (Tork et al, 2025) have shown that the two species are distinct entities.
The leaves resemble a maple leaf with three distinct lobes (hence “trilobum”). A dense, multi-stemmed, branching shrub, it has bright red cranberry-sized berries which are beautiful in the fall. It also provides food for birds and other wildlife, as well as cover and nesting habitat.
The tart berries, when cooked, make a flavorful addition to jams, jellies, pies, and sauces. They are rich in Vitamin C and taste somewhat similar to cranberries, but have one large seed instead of many small ones. Do not confuse these with the firmer berries of Viburnum opulus, which are highly astringent and cause some unpleasant side effects.
Also called crampbark, the bark has been found to contain viburin, a muscle relaxant, and was used by Native Americans to relieve muscle cramps and headaches.
Join us for Piece Together Parks, a fun and fast-paced jigsaw puzzle competition supporting the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.
This event will be hosted at the Grand Haven Eagles, 20 North Second Street, Grand Haven.
Space is limited to 30 teams.
– A $100 or more donation registers your whole team!
– Team size can be 2 to 6 people. A team name and theme are encouraged!
– Each team will get to keep their puzzles! The winning team will receive a prize!
Enjoy a puzzle swap table to trade your old puzzles for new ones. Refreshments will be available from the Eagles’ cash bar. This event is co-sponsored by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation and the Grand Haven Eagles.
