A cyclist crosses the boardwalk beneath the Secchia Arch on the Jenison Mill Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail. The completion of the Idema Explorers Trail is one of the projects that would be funded by renewal and restoration of Ottawa County’s parks and open space millage, which is on the ballot Aug. 4.
Photo courtesy Ottawa County Parks
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Ottawa County voters will consider the first of two ballot proposals for the county’s park system on the Aug. 4 ballot.
On the ballot is a proposal to renew and restore the county’s current parks and open space millage to 0.33 mills for the next 10 years.
If approved, county voters would then consider a separate 0.2-mill increase to that levy on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The current parks millage, which was last approved in August 2016 by more than a 2-to-1 margin, has been rolled back to 0.31 mills by the Headlee Amendment.
The restored 0.33-mill levy would generate $6,209,330 in its first year.
If approved, the renewal would fund:
• Daily operations and maintenance of trails, boardwalks, stairways, and public rental facilities
• Keeping parks, playgrounds, and restrooms safe, clean, and accessible.
• Completion of the Idema Explorers Trail
• Completion of planned land acquisitions at Bend Area
• Rosy Mound Phase I expansion improvements, including a parking area, ADA-accessible loop trail, and trail connections
Ottawa County’s parks system includes 42 parks and open spaces, 34 of which are free to visit year-round.
The parks system also includes more than 150 miles of trails and protection of more than 7,700 acres of land. It receives nearly two million visits annually.
Following are examples of projects, programs, and services that have been supported by parks and open space millage funding since 2018.
—————
New & Improved Park Amenities
• Grand Ravines: Modern restroom, expanded trail system, and accessible kayak launch
• Historic Ottawa Beach Parks: New marina with transient slips, accessible kayak launch, expanded waterfront walkway, and modern restroom
• Ottawa Sands: 1.6-mile accessible path, modern restroom and parking area, ecological enhancements to shoreline, creation of six acres of restored interdunal wetlands, and accessible kayak launch
• Kirk Park: New playground and renovated restroom with changing facilities
• Riverside Park: Shoreline and wetland restoration, repairs to boat launch and access roads, upgraded culverts to improve drainage and reduce flooding
• Grose Park: New playground and nearly two acres of restored prairie
—————
Expanded Trail Connections
• Georgetown Segment (2.05 miles): Connects Bend Area to Jenison Mill Segment
• Bill Idema Moraine Segment (1.73 miles): Connects Grand Ravines to Grand River Park
• Jenison Mill Segment (0.98 miles): Connects Ottawa County to Kent County
• Bayou Segment (6 miles): Connects Grand Haven area to Connor Bayou
—————
Land Preservation & Park Expansion
• 1,150 acres acquired
• Park expansion: Rosy Mound Natural Area by 127 acres and Bend Area by 333 acres
• New properties: Ottawa Sands, Stearns Creek Park (North and South), and Bass River Open Space
Millage investment is calculated based on a property’s taxable value, which can vary. Residents can visit miOttawa.org/ taxes to view a personalized estimate for their property.
For more information about the proposed parks and open space millage, visit miOttawa.org/parks-millage.
Zeeland Record
Ottawa County voters will consider the first of two ballot proposals for the county’s park system on the Aug. 4 ballot.
On the ballot is a proposal to renew and restore the county’s current parks and open space millage to 0.33 mills for the next 10 years.
If approved, county voters would then consider a separate 0.2-mill increase to that levy on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The current parks millage, which was last approved in August 2016 by more than a 2-to-1 margin, has been rolled back to 0.31 mills by the Headlee Amendment.
The restored 0.33-mill levy would generate $6,209,330 in its first year.
If approved, the renewal would fund:
• Daily operations and maintenance of trails, boardwalks, stairways, and public rental facilities
• Keeping parks, playgrounds, and restrooms safe, clean, and accessible.
• Completion of the Idema Explorers Trail
• Completion of planned land acquisitions at Bend Area
• Rosy Mound Phase I expansion improvements, including a parking area, ADA-accessible loop trail, and trail connections
Ottawa County’s parks system includes 42 parks and open spaces, 34 of which are free to visit year-round.
The parks system also includes more than 150 miles of trails and protection of more than 7,700 acres of land. It receives nearly two million visits annually.
Following are examples of projects, programs, and services that have been supported by parks and open space millage funding since 2018.
—————
New & Improved Park Amenities
• Grand Ravines: Modern restroom, expanded trail system, and accessible kayak launch
• Historic Ottawa Beach Parks: New marina with transient slips, accessible kayak launch, expanded waterfront walkway, and modern restroom
• Ottawa Sands: 1.6-mile accessible path, modern restroom and parking area, ecological enhancements to shoreline, creation of six acres of restored interdunal wetlands, and accessible kayak launch
• Kirk Park: New playground and renovated restroom with changing facilities
• Riverside Park: Shoreline and wetland restoration, repairs to boat launch and access roads, upgraded culverts to improve drainage and reduce flooding
• Grose Park: New playground and nearly two acres of restored prairie
—————
Expanded Trail Connections
• Georgetown Segment (2.05 miles): Connects Bend Area to Jenison Mill Segment
• Bill Idema Moraine Segment (1.73 miles): Connects Grand Ravines to Grand River Park
• Jenison Mill Segment (0.98 miles): Connects Ottawa County to Kent County
• Bayou Segment (6 miles): Connects Grand Haven area to Connor Bayou
—————
Land Preservation & Park Expansion
• 1,150 acres acquired
• Park expansion: Rosy Mound Natural Area by 127 acres and Bend Area by 333 acres
• New properties: Ottawa Sands, Stearns Creek Park (North and South), and Bass River Open Space
Millage investment is calculated based on a property’s taxable value, which can vary. Residents can visit miOttawa.org/ taxes to view a personalized estimate for their property.
For more information about the proposed parks and open space millage, visit miOttawa.org/parks-millage.
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