10 Years of Bridging Community to Nature |
In 2026, the Ottawa County Parks Foundation proudly celebrates 10 years of Bridging Community to Nature. All year long, our e-newsletter will highlight milestones from the past decade, share special reflections from members of the Foundation’s founding Board of Directors, and showcase the lasting impact made possible by supporters like you. We’ll also share ways you can join the celebration and continue building a vibrant future for Ottawa County Parks. Here’s to 10 years and the many more to come.
|
When the Ottawa County Parks Foundation was founded in 2016 the vast majority of the start up funding came from the founding Board members. They also worked closely with the Parks Director, John Scholtz and attorneys to officially make the Foundation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Over the last 10 years the Ottawa County Parks Foundation has raised $13,149,979, provided $7,143,459 to support Ottawa County Parks and seen $1,794,258 returned on investments.
The Foundation currently holds more than $6 million in committed funds to support upcoming park projects, while maintaining reserves to act quickly when urgent opportunities arise, like protecting key natural lands. Careful stewardship and strong investment returns help ensure lasting impact for Ottawa County Parks and the community you love. |
Founding Board Feature: Shelly Stephens |
I wholeheartedly believe in the Foundation’s vision and strive to do what I can to support the joy of nature woven into everyone’s lives. I have lived and traveled throughout Michigan, the United States, and internationally. These experiences have only deepened my appreciation for what makes Ottawa County such a special place to live, work and play. Our Ottawa County Park system is a huge driver of that quality of place. I hoped that the Foundation would serve as careful stewards of private support dollars to the benefit of our parks and park programming. I am pleased that the community has been so supportive of the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. - Shelly Stephens
|
Read Shelly's full interview here. |
|
|
|
Learn more about the 2026 Scavenger Hunt by clicking the picture below. |
|
|
Featured Park: Hager Park This popular 104 acre family park has a full array of recreational opportunities including extensive picnic areas and nature trails. The mature hardwood forest is well known for its spectacular spring wildflowers in April and May. A highlight of the park is the Age of Discovery playground which overlooks a terrain map of the United States.
Learn more
|
| |
|
Plant of the Month: Trailing Arbutus |
by Bobbi Jones Sabine
One of the first native wildflowers to bloom each year is trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens). Its white and pink flowers appear in April or May, and as early as late February a few states south of here. In Michigan, it has been found in nearly every county, and it occurs throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada.
The flowers are very fragrant and the plant used to be used for seasonal decorations many years ago until it was over-collected to the point of scarcity. This plant was included in the list of protected plants in Michigan’s now-archaic Christmas Greens Act, which also listed trilliums and native orchids.
The hairy stems creep along the ground in fairly dry soils, within sandy savannahs and forests of oak, aspens, and pine. It can be found near roadsides, the margins of hiking trails, and under the partial shade of shrubs.
Other names for it are ground laurel, gravel plant, and mayflower. After the Pilgrims survived their first winter in Massachusetts, the story goes that late-winter blooms of trailing arbutus brought hope of warmer weather, as referenced in John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem The Mayflower: Yet, “God be praised!” the Pilgrim said, Who saw the blossoms peer
Above the brown leaves, dry and dead, “Behold our Mayflower here!”
In traditional medicine, it was used to treat urinary tract conditions, respiratory infections, and as an antiseptic, astringent, and diuretic. Long-term use is inadvisable as it can cause tinnitus, vomiting, confusion, convulsions, or liver damage. |
| Photo credit: University of Michigan Herbarium, C. Peirce |
|
|
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. |
|
|
Connected County Park Launch: Connecting People, Parks, and Nature
Join us as we celebrate the launch of the Connected County Park Initiative, a
movement designed to create healthier, more resilient landscapes by bridging the
gap between people and nature. This program empowers individuals to restore
ecosystems at home through simple actions like planting natives and removing
invasives, supported by practical tools, training, and community engagement. At the
event, enjoy a keynote talk, partner organization tables, door prizes, a build-your-own
native seed mix bar, plant swap, and fun trivia. Together, we can transform
small actions into big change and create a connected future where ecosystems
thrive beyond property lines. |
|
|
Support the Ottawa County Parks Foundation and local artists. A $10 donation is suggested to attend the show. All donations and 10% of artists’ sales will benefit the Foundation. Register early and skip the line. A confirmation email will be sent after you make your donation. Thank you to our sponsors, the Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective and the artist.
|
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}* |
| |
|
You are being sent this email because you are a subscriber.
If you wish to update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe, click *{{Unsubscribe}}* |
|
|
|
