In 2026, the Ottawa County Parks Foundation proudly celebrates 10 years of Bridging Community to Nature. All year long, we will share special reflections from members of the Foundation’s founding Board of Directors.
This month we are featuring Tom Werkman. Tom served as the Foundation’s Board President from 2016 to 2019.
What motivated me to start the Parks Foundation?
I was an Ottawa County Parks Commissioner for nine years, and during that time I began to realize that more of the millage was going toward park maintenance and improvements, and less toward land preservation. I felt that if a foundation were established, it could help supplement Ottawa County Parks by supporting either maintenance or land preservation.
What is my favorite park?
My favorite park would have to be Bur Oak. It’s categorized as open space, and I can go there to hunt. As a matter of fact, the first deer I harvested was at Bur Oak with my son. It’s a memory I won’t forget, and as a result, it’s a special place for me.
What were your hopes for Ottawa County Parks and the Foundation?
When we first started the foundation, I envisioned that there would be an endowment to help support the financial needs of the parks. This endowment would allow us to rely less on federal and state funding and better insulate us from the politics of the day. My hope is that one day there will be an endowment large enough to make this happen.