Community mobilizes for National Trails Day at Ottawa Sands County Park

FERRYSBURG — Ottawa County Parks & Recreation is inviting the public to trade a traditional weekend hike for a pair of work gloves this Saturday, June 6, in celebration of the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day.

From noon-3 p.m., volunteers will gather at Ottawa Sands County Park for a hands-on stewardship event focused on restoring local ecosystems. The primary mission of the afternoon will be the removal of spotted knapweed, an aggressive, non-native plant species that threatens the park’s inland lake and trail system.

According to park officials, spotted knapweed routinely crowds out native vegetation, which diminishes critical habitats for local wildlife and essential pollinators. Saturday's event aims to reverse some of that damage, fostering healthier native plant communities.

"National Trails Day is an opportunity to celebrate the trails we enjoy while also giving back to the natural areas that make those experiences possible," said Carly Garvelink, Ottawa County Parks volunteer program supervisor.

The regional nonprofit West Michigan Trails will also be on-site to provide information regarding regional trail connectivity and broader stewardship initiatives across their 18-county network.

The open-house-style event is free and open to all ages, with no prior experience required. Park staff will provide all necessary equipment, training, and supplies.

If you go:

• When: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, June 6. (Attendees may arrive and leave at their convenience).
• Where: Ottawa Sands County Park. Volunteers should check in at the registration table located in the day-use parking lot near the restroom building.
• Parking: Available in the main day-use lot, with overflow parking designated at the neighboring Coast Guard Park.
• What to wear/bring: Participants are strongly encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants to protect against poison ivy and ticks. Bringing a water bottle and sunscreen is recommended.
• Weather policy: In the event of severe weather, the mobilization will be canceled, and registered participants will be notified via email.

Context, funding

National Trails Day is a nationwide initiative organized annually on the first Saturday of June by the American Hiking Society to promote trail advocacy and service.

Locally, the event comes at a pivotal time for Ottawa County Parks & Recreation, which manages over 7,700 acres of public land. The county’s conservation and maintenance efforts are sustained in part by the voter-approved Parks & Open Space Millage. This funding structure will soon face public evaluation, as Ottawa County voters are slated to consider new parks and open space millage proposals on both the August and November ballots later this year.

For more information or to register for the event, community members can visit the Ottawa County Parks portal online.

— Submitted by the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.