Election Day decision: Ottawa County voters set to decide on increasing parks millage

OTTAWA COUNTY — Following an August renewal vote, Ottawa County residents will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide whether to increase the countywide Parks and Open Spaces Millage by 0.2 mills to keep pace with rapid population growth and shifting community demands.

The proposed 0.2-mill increase would raise the total parks levy from 0.33 mills to 0.53 mills. On Aug. 4, voters approved renewing the baseline millage at 0.33 mills, restoring the rate back to its original 2016 level after automatic reductions under the state’s Headlee Amendment.

First established in 1996 with 53.5% voter support, the 10-year millage has seen growing approval over its 30-year history, winning 67% of the vote in 2006 and 73% in 2016.

Jessica VanGinhoven, coordinator of community engagement for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation, noted that while the millage remains the department's primary funding source, local tax dollars are routinely leveraged to secure state and federal grants, alongside private support raised through the nonprofit Ottawa County Parks Foundation.

Surge in visitors drives demand

According to U.S. Census Bureau data compiled by the Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact, the county grew by 3.9% between 2020 and 2025 — the fastest rate among Michigan's 10 largest counties — reaching 308,459 residents. By 2030, the county's population is projected to top 320,000.

That rapid growth, coupled with a lasting surge in outdoor recreation since the COVID-19 pandemic, has pushed annual visitation to over 2 million guests across the county's 40 sites and 7,500 acres.

Grand Ravines in Allendale Township recorded the highest traffic statewide.

"We want people to come out to the parks as often as possible," VanGinhoven said. "But what that increase means is that it just takes more to make sure that the trails stay safe, stay maintained, that the buildings are top-notch, and expectations of the parks have really changed as well."

Shifting focus: Infrastructure, accessibility, staffing

While the first three decades of millage funding focused heavily on land acquisition and initial expansion — adding more than 1,150 preserved acres and major regional trails — future plans prioritize modernizing facilities, enhancing accessibility, and managing natural resources.

Strategic planning surveys conducted in 2024 highlighted varying demographic needs across the county, ranging from Allendale Township’s median age of 21.8 to the City of Ferrysburg’s 52.8. Officials emphasize that modernizing facilities means adding paved trails, improved parking and year-round accessible restrooms without harming natural ecosystems.

"Without the millage increase, we won’t be able to respond to the changing expectations and requests from the community," VanGinhoven said, adding that current operations require additional full- and part-time staff to handle maintenance and programming. "You're not going to see modern restrooms, and there may be some areas where falling behind is a real concern."

Staffing is one of the issues VanGinhoven highlighted as a priority as well.

“We are finding ourselves in a position where we have been really lean with staffing and now to do more, we also need more people.” 

Proposed project comparison

Approval of the baseline 0.33-mill rate funds routine upkeep, including tree plantings, native landscape restoration, scheduled updates at North Beach and minor trail amenities along the Idema Explorers Trail.

If approved at the higher 0.53-mill rate, the revenue will fund major capital improvements, including:

• Year-round accessible restrooms at Riley Trails, Rosy Mound, Grand Ravines and Paw Paw Park.
• Winter snow removal along designated regional trails.
• Expanded nature education facilities and community gathering spaces at the Bend Area, Upper Macatawa, Eastmanville Farm and along regional trail networks.

A full list of proposed projects can be found on Page 273 of the 2026, Parks and Recreation, and Open Space Plan. 

Completed projects

New and 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 trails, regional 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: 

• Protected 1,150 acres of land
• Expanded Bend area by 333 acres and Rosy Mound by 127 acres
• Added Ottawa Sands, Stearns Creek Park (North and South), and Bass River Open Spaces

Community engagement: 

• Provided educational and recreational opportunities for nearly 50,000 program participants through bird walks, kayak trips, nature programs, and more
• Offered outdoor learning experiences for nearly 40,000 students
• Welcomed over 150,000 visitors to the Nature Education Center

County property owners can calculate their exact tax impact using an online property calculator hosted on the Ottawa County website.

The department will host a public information session from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Hemlock Crossing, 8115 W. Olive Road, West Olive. Staff are also holding weekly "leadership hikes" every Tuesday through Oct. 27.

— Mallory Burt is a reporter for Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.