What to expect as you hit the beach as Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer season

OTTAWA COUNTY — With temperatures heating up and summer festivities planned, many Ottawa County residents and visitors will be heading to the area’s local beaches and public parks this Memorial Day.

Much preparation goes into sprucing up the county’s beaches following an icy winter at the West Michigan lakeshore, including moving sand blown around by the wind and readying the permit system enforced throughout the coming months.

Rylie Dorman, communications specialist for the Parks and Recreation Commission, said preparation for the summer begins well before Memorial Day weekend. The commission posts seasonal job listings in February and while training is underway, crews begin preparing the parks for reopening.

“One of the first steps is turning the water systems back on and submitting samples to ensure drinking water is safe,” said Dorman. 

The commission addresses standard concerns, such as damaged boards on walkways and parking bumpers damaged by snowplows. This year, the county also replaced large sections of stairs at Holland’s Tunnel Park and Kirk Park in West Olive — the county’s busiest beaches, according to Dorman. 

Typically, an estimated 10 staff members are involved in preseason preparation efforts; however, that number grows to nearly 30 at summer’s peak. In addition to sampling drinking water, crews have many tasks, including removing snow fences, reinstalling permit signage, setting up grills, inspecting playgrounds and moving sand. 

The county also aims to install swim buoys before Memorial Day, but sometimes, this can not occur until the first weekend in June. Placing the buoys requires specific weather and wave conditions. 

Dorman said one of the most extensive tasks is the transport of sand and removal of debris from the county’s beaches. Two beaches require an excavator to move sand, and as this spring approached, Spring Lake's North Beach had nearly four feet of sand in its shelter. Further, with snow fences coming down, debris and logs often wash ashore.

“Several years ago, the tunnel at Tunnel Park filled with so much sand that you could only get through by crawling,” Dorman said. “We get all of that cleaned up and ready for you to set up your chair and umbrella.”

Those preparing to hit the beach over Memorial Day should be aware that, in addition to Tunnel and Kirk Parks, likely bustling with activity, North Beach and Windsnest Park in West Olive also experience heavy visitation. Dorman noted that Grand Haven’s Rosy Mound will likely be congested in its parking lot, but will feel less crowded toward the park’s trails.

While there is normally some degree of traffic congestion on the unofficial first weekend of summer, Dorman believes the roads will be less backed up this Memorial Day.

“With it likely being still too cold to swim (comfortably), and with our relatively new self-service permit stations, traffic backups are less likely,” Dorman said.

Annual or daily motor vehicle permits are available for purchase online or on-site at all lakeshore beach parks. Permits can also be purchased during business hours at the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing or the Park’s Office at the Fillmore Complex. Information about permit pricing is available on the Parks and Recreation Commission’s website.

Motor vehicle permits are required at the following locations, effective Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day:

• Kirk Park
• Kouw Park
• North Beach Park
• Olive Shores
• Riverside Park (boat launch only)
• Rosy Mound Natural Area
• Tunnel Park
• Windsnest Park

As for safety, beachgoers should be aware of changing weather and lake conditions, cold water temperatures and the potential for rip currents along the lakeshore. 

“Lake Michigan can be as dangerous as it is beautiful and fun,” said Dorman. “Water temperatures during Memorial Day weekend are often below 60 degrees, and cold water can affect even experienced swimmers more quickly than many people realize.”

It is encouraged to limit time in the chilly water and warm up afterward.

Visitors are also reminded to closely supervise children, in addition to keeping the county’s parks clean by properly disposing trash and recycling. If onsite dumpsters reach capacity, crews transport excess trash to other parks or to larger dumpsters located at the Ottawa County Park Operations Center in West Olive.

The Parks and Recreation Commission offers volunteer workdays throughout the summer, including regular cleanups at the county’s parks and beaches. The next scheduled cleanup will take place 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at the Idema Explorers M-231 Trailhead.

This summer’s cleanups are listed here.

— Contact ONN reporter Hailey Hentz at hhentz@ottawanewsnetwork.org.