Parks and Open Space Lands

What is the difference between a park and an open space land?

The Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission manages both parks and open space lands. Parks include properties where major improvements have been made such as paved parking lots, rest room buildings, designated trails, picnic shelters, playgrounds and other facilities. Some properties designated as parks are currently unimproved, however, improvements are expected to be developed in the future. Parks have more rigid rules and hunting is NOT allowed in any parks (Archery hunting is allowed with a Special Park Permit at the Crockery Creek Natural Area and the Upper Macatawa Natural Area – see hunting for more information).

Open Space Lands are undeveloped natural lands that have less rigid rules than parks. Most Open Space Lands do not have designated or marked trails and parking areas are usually small. Dogs are allowed to run off-leash in Open Space Lands and Open Space Lands are open to hunting. Some properties are archery only, while others offer firearm and archery hunting. See hunting for more information.

You may find out more information about a specific park or Open Space Land by selecting a property on the map, selecting a property from the lists or selecting a property from the parks chart.

Map

Parks

Adams Street Landing (Map)
Connor Bayou (Map)
Crockery Creek Natural Area (Map)
Deer Creek Park (Map)
Eastmanville Farm (Map)
Grand River Park (Map)
Grose Park (Map)
Hager Park (Map)
Hemlock Crossing (Map)
Historic Ottawa Beach Parks (Map)
Kirk Park (Map)
Musketawa Trail (Map)
North Beach Park (Map)
North Ottawa Dunes (Map)
Pigeon Creek Park (Map)
Pine Bend (Map)
Riley Trails (Map)
Riverside Park (Map)
Rosy Mound Natural Area (Map)
Spring Grove Park (Map)
Tunnel Park (Map)
Upper Macatawa Natural Area (Map)

Open Space Lands

Bur Oak Landing (Map)
Eastmanville Bayou (Map)
Grand River Ravines
Hiawatha Forest (Map)
Johnson Street Forest (Map)
Jubb Bayou (Map)
Port Sheldon Natural Area
Ripps Bayou (Map)
Robinson Forest (Map)
Van Buren Street Dunes (Map)
Bend Area (Map)

 

Parks

Adams Street Landing
Connor Bayou
Crockery Creek Natural Area
Deer Creek Park
Eastmanville Farm
Grand River Park
Grose Park
Hager Park
Hemlock Crossing
Historic Ottawa Beach Parks
Kirk Park
Musketawa Trail
North Beach Park
North Ottawa Dunes
Pigeon Creek Park
Pine Bend
Riley Trails
Riverside Park
Rosy Mound Natural Area
Spring Grove Park
Tunnel Park
Upper Macatawa Natural Area
open year 'round closed in winter seasonal entry fee outdoor picnic tables covered picnic shelter* fully enclosed picnic building** other indoor facility** outdoor grills concession
/ vending machines
swimming and sunbathing
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boat launch canoe / kayak launch fishing children's playground sand volleyball courts ball fields horseshoe pits group camp area** hiking trails mountain bike trails equestrian trails groomed x-c ski trails ungroomed x-c ski trails x-c ski rental sledding hill
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* Most picnic shelters may be seasonally reserved in advance. If not reserved, they are available on a first come basis.
** Available by advance reservation only.
*** Ottawa County provides no lifeguards at parks with swimming facilities.