Ottawa Sands
There are no trails leading through this rugged dune property. Steep, forested ridges are interwoven with narrow valleys. Tucked in the dune hills are wetlands and a small pond.
There are no trails leading through this rugged dune property. Steep, forested ridges are interwoven with narrow valleys. Tucked in the dune hills are wetlands and a small pond.
Nestled just south of Grand Haven, DePersia South Highlands Nature Preserve offers a small pocket of natural beauty along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Forested dunes like the ones found at DePersia provide critical habitat for wildflowers, reptiles, and migratory birds.
Located just north of Holland, Kuker-Van Til Nature Preserve protects natural land in a highly developed area. A loop trail leads hikers through a variety of habitats: young oak forests, mature hardwood swamps, and open sandy dunes.
Located near Spring Lake, Minnie Skwarek Nature Preserve protects biodiversity, improves water quality, and provides a destination for those nearby to connect with nature.
The massive, forested dunes at this county park near Ferrysburg rise around the 10 miles of hiking trails that connect with PJ Hoffmaster State Park.
Located near the lakeshore between Holland and Grand Haven, Palomita Reserve protects a critically-important Great Lakes marsh ecosystem. Its location along the multi-use Lakeshore Connector Path makes it easy to access and enjoy this beautiful property.
This former cow pasture-turned-county park near Zeeland was returned to fields and wetlands. It meanders to miles of the Macatawa River, attracting a variety of wading and grassland birds. It offers extensive hiking and mountain biking trails.
In 2005, the Land Conservancy worked with the Ottawa County Parks Department and the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg communities to protect these 500 acres and turn them into a county park.
In 2005 and 2007, the Land Conservancy helped Ottawa County Department of Parks & Recreation acquire a total of 314 acres along the Macatawa or Black River just east of Zeeland and Interstate I-196 by purchasing conservation easements on the property.