Join us for our Connecting with Nature series, where we’ll showcase various activities enjoyed by supporters of our Ottawa County Parks. From popular activities like mountain biking, hiking, skiing, swimming, and fishing to less traditional ones like forest bathing, artistic endeavors, and volunteering, there’s something for everyone. Regardless of the activity, the common thread is the opportunity to immerse oneself in nature, which has been scientifically linked to numerous benefits such as improved attention and reduced stress and anxiety levels.
During this series, we will be highlighting nature-based activities and encouraging you to explore new recreational opportunities. It is a great way to spend more time in nature and reap its rewards.
This month, we’ll explore Ottawa County Parks and Recreation programming and how it bridges community to nature.
Michelle Adaway
Michelle has been attending Ottawa County Parks and Recreation (Ottawa County Parks) programs since 2023. She first learned about Ottawa County Parks programs while googling local hiking and nature groups. Michelle was looking for ways to spend time in nature and meet new people.
Michelle attends many of the programs. She enjoys Coffee with the Birds, bird walks, wildflower walks, photography and the various hikes in nature. One of her favorite programs is nature journaling. The nature journaling program doesn’t require expertise or even knowledge of plant names. It is all about observation, letting go of the outside world, and just being there in nature.
What Michelle enjoys about Ottawa County parks programs is that they are about being in nature and exercise is a secondary benefit. Michelle says, “she could be in the worst mood, but going into the forest completely changes that.”
Ottawa County parks programs have also helped Michelle realize how much nature means to her. According to Michelle, “we are a part of nature, so we need to learn to be better stewards of it. Nature gives us life.” Spending time in nature through Ottawa County parks programs has inspired Michelle to compost and turn her front yard into a native garden.
“If you love nature, enjoy being outside, Ottawa County Parks programs are a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy nature”, Michelle says, “don’t be intimidated if you don’t have an expertise in nature. Attend parks programs to just enjoy nature.”
Ria VanderKlok
Prior to becoming an Outdoor Educator I attended Ottawa County Parks Programs. A few years ago, I signed up for a kayak program with Ottawa County Parks led by Kristen and Jeff. Kristen led us down the river, stopping every so often to point out resident birds and plants and other river inhabitants. I had lived in Ottawa County all my life and had never experienced this place in such a connected, intentional way. I found that the Outdoor Educators with Ottawa County Parks had the important task of being heritage interpreters, naturalists, and story keepers. I wanted to be a part of their world.
As an Outdoor Educator what I teach varies seasonably. Currently, I guide the Nature Journal Club, Introduction to Nature Journaling, Yoga at the Park, Paddle the Pigeon kayak trips, Beginner Birding and other public programs, Dune Ecology and other school programs. When I guide a Parks program, I’m not simply taking people out into the parks, I’m helping to uncover and connect them, and myself, to belonging in a place that is living, in the deepest, most expansive sense of that word.
If you enjoy recreation in any of the forty-two Ottawa County parks, natural areas, open spaces, and five regional trails, know there is so much more to the story. Each program, when led by an experienced Outdoor Educator, extends to you an opportunity to deepen your understanding and connection to a park place, and find your sense of belonging in the vast web that connects us to one another, to the land, and to the many more-than-human neighbors we live among. I promise you this: the stories going on outside your window, intimately connected to your own, are ones worth awakening to.
Featured Plant: Starry False Solomon-seal
by Bobbi Jones Sabine
Starry false Solomon-seal (Maianthemum stellatum) is a familiar sight in our Michigan woods this time of year, especially near sandy dunes and shores. It’s also found in moist deciduous forests, floodplains, and thickets, taking advantage of the spring sunshine before the trees fully leaf out.
A native perennial and member of the Lily family, it’s been reported throughout the lower peninsula. In the upper peninsula, it is mostly restricted to near-shore counties. Its range includes the entire continental U.S. and most of Canada.
Also called starry false lily-of-the-valley, this small plant has an arching stem and flat blades, with white flowers at the terminus of the stem. In fruit, it has distinctive berries that are pale yellow with numerous red bands.
Herbal medicinal uses include anti-inflammatory, astringent, and demulcent. A decoction from the roots is used for back pain or pain in other tendons or ligaments. It’s often combined with other plants for various ailments including headaches and sore throats.
Photo #1 Credit: Bobbi Jones Sabines
Photo #2 Credit: B. Walters, MNFI
2024 Grand Explorers’ Trail Race
What can we say? This trail race is Grand: Grand River, Grand Ravines, Grand bridges, and Grand views!
The course starts at Grand River County Park, winding you through a natural surface trail until you hit the newly completed Idema Explorers Trail segment that leads you along the Grand River to Grand Ravines County Park.
10K and 5K
1-mile fun run/walk for kids
Dogs are welcome
Walkers are welcome
Virtual option for 10K and 5K
To learn more and register, run over to the race website.
Proceeds from this event support the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.
Breakfast/Lunch at the Park
We are looking forward to our 7th Annual Breakfast at the Park on Thursday, June 20 at 7:30 AM. This annual fundraising event helps support our mission of bridging community to nature.
This year we have added a second event on Thursday, June 20. There will also be a Lunch at the Park at 11 AM. The lunch is FULL.
All funds raised at these events help support Ottawa County Parks.
A special thank you to our sponsors:
Gold Leadership Sponsors
The Crane Family Fund in Memory of Marilyn J. Crane
There is still room if you would like to attend the Breakfast at the Park. If you are interested in sponsoring or attending, please contact Angela Miller-Niarhos.
The Stewardship Circle is our lead group of donors making an annual investment of $250 or more to help maintain and enhance our park system.
Upland woods, floodplain forest, restored native grasslands, wetlands and a small lake are some of the features of this 162 acre park along the banks of the Grand River. In addition to hiking, biking or skiing on the trails, visitors can also fish in the lake from a wooden boardwalk, enjoy the Grand River from an overlook platform or enjoy a picnic. The park also features a boat launch, a fully enclosed picnic building and a playground.
This free 8-week program is designed to help you stay active and explore new parks. Individuals and families of all fitness levels are invited to join. Easy-to-use goal setting and tracking is available to participants.
Step it Up! is brought to you by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation and the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission.
At Gazelle Sports, we believe movement can change your life- that means on the trail too! We want to hear from you about what’s important to your trail running and/or walking experience- what keeps you moving on the trail? We appreciate your feedback!
Gazelle Sports Grandville is a Platinum sponsor of the Grand Explorers’ Trail Race. Please take a moment to fill out their trail runner survey.
Michelle has been attending Ottawa County Parks and Recreation (Ottawa County Parks) programs since 2023. She first learned about Ottawa County Parks programs while googling local hiking and nature groups. Michelle was looking for ways to spend time in nature and meet new people.
Prior to becoming an Outdoor Educator I attended Ottawa County Parks Programs. A few years ago, I signed up for a kayak program with Ottawa County Parks led by Kristen and Jeff. Kristen led us down the river, stopping every so often to point out resident birds and plants and other river inhabitants. I had lived in Ottawa County all my life and had never experienced this place in such a connected, intentional way. I found that the Outdoor Educators with Ottawa County Parks had the important task of being heritage interpreters, naturalists, and story keepers. I wanted to be a part of their world.
Starry false Solomon-seal (Maianthemum stellatum) is a familiar sight in our Michigan woods this time of year, especially near sandy dunes and shores. It’s also found in moist deciduous forests, floodplains, and thickets, taking advantage of the spring sunshine before the trees fully leaf out.
terminus of the stem. In fruit, it has distinctive berries that are pale yellow with numerous red bands.
