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Sep 11, 2025 - For immediate release
Press contact: Rylie Dorman <[email protected]>, (616) 994-4774

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Draft 2026 Parks Plan Available for Review

*OTTAWA COUNTY, MI* — Ottawa County Parks & Recreation has released a draft of the 2026 long-range Parks Plan [ [link removed] ], and community feedback is now being requested. This plan is updated every five years and ensures eligibility for grant funding from the State of Michigan and provides a road map for park and trail development.

A public hearing will be held during the Parks Commission meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Community members are welcome to attend and provide comments in person.

Learn more: miottawa.org/parks/plans-reports [ [link removed] ]

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Public Input

Ottawa County residents and park visitors can help guide this plan by sharing feedback in a variety of ways:


* Take our brief survey: [Click here] [ [link removed] ]
* Email your comments to [email protected]
* Mail comments to: 
"Ottawa County Parks & Recreation"
"12220 Fillmore Street"
"West Olive, MI 49460"
* Attend the public hearing on October 22 and make comments in-person

*Deadline: *Please submit written feedback by October 17, 2025. 

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Parks Plan Overview

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Continues emphasis on high-quality maintenance and operations with projections of long-term capital renovation needs. A large majority of discretionary (non-operating) millage funds from the current millage level are dedicated to renovations of current park facilities.


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Identifies key property acquisitions and funding to enhance/expand existing park properties.


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Calls for efforts to improve and develop the Macatawa and Pigeon River Greenways, the Bend Area, and to complete the Idema Explorers Trail along the Grand River Greenway.


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Continues efforts to meet and exceed ADA accessibility guidelines at all lands and facilities.


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Provides flexibility to consider other unexpected opportunities and expand existing park properties.


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Continues focus on providing quality nature education and outdoor activity programs throughout the park system.


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Expands emphasis on communications to residents of available opportunities for optimal park use.


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Emphasizes the need for increased natural resource management and stewardship of existing parklands and the broader landscape.

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Project Funding

The parks plan includes detailed budget projections and a capital improvement schedule. The plan notes that the current dedicated park millage combined with grant funds has allowed the Parks Commission to provide a large and high-quality park system to serve residents and visitors. However, with continued park expansion, a higher percentage of millage funds are now devoted to operations and maintenance creating greater reliance on other funding for new initiatives.

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Park Plan Front Page [ [link removed] ]
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*"Images included with this press release may be reproduced for editorial use."*

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Operations, improvements and programs are funded by grants, private donations [ [link removed] ], and a parks millage. If you own a $150,000 home, you pay $26 annually investing in opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education today and for future generations. Thank you. Learn more about the 7,000 acres of park land in Ottawa County at miOttawa.org/Parks [ [link removed] ]

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Ottawa County Parks &
Recreation Commission



 

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The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners: Chairperson John Teeples | Vice-Chairperson Josh Brugger | Jordan Jorritsma | Jim Barry | Jacob Bonnema | Phil Kuyers | Doug Zylstra | Joe Moss | Sylvia Rhodea | Allison Miedema | Kendra Wenzel 

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