Dogs are still not allowed on the beach between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Author: Keely Lovern Updated: 6:57 PM EDT June 22, 2021
WEST OLIVE, Mich. Last year was a tough one for Kirk Park, a popular place for dog owners and beachgoers alike.
Changes had to be made, and this year park officials are cracking down on those who are not following the rules. Last year we had extremely high water levels and they actually took out the south access stairs and we had to close that access point, said Jessica VanGinhoven, Communications Specialist for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation.
Kirk Park had always had two beaches, one on the south end for dogs to be off-leash, and another for visitors who wanted to relax on the beach. The high water levels changed that.
By Jared Fritsma
Jun 2, 2021 | 1:35 PM
HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission is inviting the community to an event to recognize the opening of the expanded Bend Area Open Space and a recently completed two-mile section of the Idema Explorers Trail in Georgetown Township. The dedication event is will run from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday June 11, 2021. There will be a short presentation beginning at 2:15 p.m. with guided tours of the trails afterward.
For those who may not be able to attend the event there are several opportunities to visit prior to the event on June 5, 2021. There will be a National Trails Day program as well as volunteer work available for those who wish to assist in maintenance of the Bend Are Open Space. Visitors will be able to Explore the Bend Area’s new trails, discover the importance of this spot along the Grand River Greenway and Idema Explorers Trail, and learn about what’s planned for its exciting future.
WEST OLIVE Ottawa County Parks and Recreation officials have been working on projects along the Grand River Greenway for more than three decades, and the future Idema Explorers Trail is viewed as a key attraction for visitors and county residents.
The Greenway is a corridor of preserved areas of land that stretches from Grand Haven to Grand Rapids, with nature trails spreading from it across Ottawa County.
The Idema Explorers Trail, expected to be completed in 2022, is a 30-mile path that connects the Greenway. Planning and development along the Greenway has been going on in the county since 1989.
The county s Board of Commissioners will likely vote on a set of easements, or purchasing the right to use someone s property for a specific purpose, at its May 25 meeting.