A major renovation project is in the works for Ottawa Sands County Park in Michigan, according to a report.
Ottawa County Parks and Recreation announced on December 17 that improvements are planned for Ottawa Sands County Park that will offer unique, low-impact overnight accommodations to Grand River Greenway and a 2,479-acre area of connected dunelands.
“Ottawa Sands is the western-most property managed by Ottawa County Parks, along the Grand River Greenway and serves as a logical endpoint for anyone enjoying an extended adventure along the Idema Explorers Trail or the Grand River Heritage Water Trail,” noted officials from the Ottawa Co. Parks and Rec. Department.
“It is also a gateway to the stretch of contiguous publicly owned duneland that is comparable in scale to larger state parks such as Silver Lake or Warren Dunes.”
The campground is part of the Ottawa Sands Master Plan, initiated through the park’s acquisition in 2019.
“The acquisition of the 345-acre Ottawa Sands County Park in 2019 was a whirlwind process made possible only through the coordinated efforts of many residents, donors, and stakeholders,” said Kelly Rice, president of the Ottawa County Parks Commission.
“Our opportunity to purchase the $11.2 million sand mining site quickly emerged in the latter half of 2017 and was entirely unanticipated,” she added.
The Ottawa Sands Master Plan proposed improvement to the site as well as ecological restoration, reclamation, plus enhancements and improvements of $23.3 million for the sand mine in various phases.
The improvements include:
- Constructed dunal wet prairie and marsh, improving wildlife habitat
- A 1.6-mile paved loop around the 80-acre inland lake
- Day-use parking area near the current entrance
- Outfitted camping experience for the Grand River with an accessible kayak launch
- A beach on the lake
- Dune overlook tower with views of Lake Michigan
- Riverfront recreational area with docks
Idema Explorers Camp, the next phase, was enabled by the $2.5-million donation of the Bill and Bea Idema Foundation.
The campground will be situated in a hidden bowl along Grand River, an artificial feature created by drilling activities associated with mining. The campground is expected to be accessible via bicycle and kayak.
