Settlement agreement poised to expand North Ottawa Dunes

SPRING LAKE TWP. — A land settlement involving a 119-acre tract of dunes and forest is moving toward a resolution that Spring Lake Township officials say will significantly expand Ottawa County’s public parks system.

The proposed agreement focuses on the property located at 18361 180th Ave., at the intersection of Taft Road. Under the terms of the settlement, the acreage currently held by property owner Richard Brill would be partitioned among three parties:

• Ottawa County Parks would acquire 50 acres to be integrated into the county’s recreational inventory.
• Developer Curtis Moran would purchase 30 acres for a seven-home residential development.
• A neighboring landowner to the north would purchase the remaining 39 acres to extend a family estate, with the legal stipulation that the land remain preserved as open space.

The acquisition of the 50-acre parcel reflects the newly adopted "Explore the Grand Region" 2025-29 Community Parks and Recreation Plan that identifies the protection of the Lake Michigan dunes as a top priority for all Ottawa County communities. 

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According to the plan’s recent public surveys, nature trails for hiking ranked as the single most important amenity for local residents.

Lukas Hill, community development director of Spring Lake Township, said the current status of the deal as optimistic but unfinished.

"The township and county are still in negotiations with the landowner so I do not have any definite information as of yet," Hill said. "In general, however, there is hope that more property will be added to North Ottawa Dunes if everything works out."

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.