Parks Commission & Parks Staff
Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission
The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission was created in 1987 to oversee the management and operation of the county parks system. The Commission is dedicated to providing Ottawa County residents and visitors with park facilities as well as recreational and educational opportunities that enhance the quality and enjoyment of their lives.
Ted Bosgraaf - President
Bobbi Jones Sabine - Vice President
Philip Kuyers - Secretary
Paul Geerlings
Roger E. Jonas
Joyce Kortman
Jim Miedema
Ray Statema
David Van Ginhoven
David Vander Kooi
Ottawa County Parks Staff
Fillmore Street Complex Office Staff
John Scholtz - Parks and Recreation Director
John has served as Parks and Recreation Manager since shortly
after the Parks and Recreation Commission was formed in 1987.
He received his Masters Degree in Parks and Recreation Resources
from Michigan State University and spent six years as the
director of Saginaw County Parks prior to coming to Ottawa
County. Scholtz was born and raised in the Grand Haven area.
Chip Francke - Coordinator
of Interpretive and Information Services
Chip started with Ottawa County in 1998 and is responsible for interpretive
and information services throughout the parks system including the operation
of the nature education center at Hemlock Crossing (scheduled for completion
in fall 2009). Chip has a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Western Michigan
University and a Masters Degree in Entomology from Michigan State University.
Curtis TerHaar -
Coordinator of Park Planning & Development
Curt is a landscape architect and land planner with over 17 years of experience
in the planning, design, and construction of recreation and other outdoor
public use areas. He started with the Ottawa County Parks system in 2005 after
working at private design firms in West Michigan and most recently at his
own landscape architecture design company. Curt was born and raised in Grand
Haven and has a degree in Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University.
Jonathan Nagel - Parks Planner
Jonathan graduated from Michigan State University in 1987 with a Bachelor
of Landscape Architecture Degree.
He is involved in the planning and development of a variety of park projects.
Jonathan previously worked with consulting firms in the Grand Rapids area.
He started with Ottawa County Parks in 2000.
Kristen Hintz - Park Naturalist
Kristen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor
of Science in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Environmental
Education and Interpretation. She completed her elementary teaching credential
at GVSU in 2007 and joined Ottawa County Parks in 2009. Kristen has over
10 years experience teaching and coordinating hands-on science programs
for students at residential science schools. She thoroughly enjoys teaching
and sharing the natural wonders of the outdoors with others.
Sherry Costello - Administrative Secretary
Sherry began working for Parks in 2007 where she manages the Parks Office
and assists the Parks Director. She has an Associate of Science degree
in Management (2004) and a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management
degree specializing in Human Resources from Davenport University (2006).
Sherry came to Parks from the Ottawa County Fiscal Services Department
where she started her employment in 2001. Sherry has over 20 years of
accounting & management experience.
Tabitha Rowley - Parks Secretary
Tabitha was hired by Ottawa County in 2006 as the secretary for the Planning and Performance Improvement Department and moved to the Parks Office in 2009. She provides clerical assistance to the Parks Staff and also serves as the receptionist for the Parks Office. Tabitha graduated from Western Michigan University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Music degree in French Horn Performance.
Park Operations Center Staff
Dave Mazurek - Coordinator of Park Maintenance and Operations
Dave is responsible for system wide maintenance and operations and also focuses
on other areas such as park projects, park policies, rule enforcement, fee
collection and the budget.
Dave has an exceptionally broad knowledge of parks and recreation and has
been working for the Parks Commission since 1988. He has a Bachelor of Science
degree from Michigan State University and a Masters of Public Administration
from Western Michigan University.
Scott Stinebower - Parks Operations Manager
Scott started working for parks in 2004 and is responsible for organizing,
planning, assigning and overseeing maintenance and operations on a day to
day basis. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in park programs and
operations. Scott’s has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University
of Hawaii and a Master of Park Administration from Central Michigan University.
Collin Zackrison - Parks Supervisor (East Area)
Collin manages a very busy Hager Park, as well as Spring Grove Park, Grand
River Park and a new open space at the Bend Area. He and his staff are
responsible for accommodating more than 250 reservation groups annually
at eight sites. Also, Collin has extensive experience with turf management,
trees and other plants. Collin is the original Parks Supervisor for
his area and has been with the Commission since 1990. His education
includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Mankato University in Minnesota.
Bob Reichel - Parks Supervisor
(West Area)
A department employee since 1996, Bob manages six Lake Michigan beach sites
including the ever popular Rosy Mound Natural Area. Another of Bob’s
responsibilities is to supervise the collection of over $200,000 in motor
vehicle fees annually. Bob has a Bachelor of Science degree from Mankato
State University in Minnesota.
Jeff Poel - Parks Equipment Specialist
Jeff has responsibility for the maintenance of all the vehicles and equipment
in the parks fleet. He also is directly involved in wide range of park
repairs and various projects, including park signing. He has a Bachelor
of Science degree from Grand Valley State University and has been with
the department since 1995.
Leif VanHorssen - Parks Supervisor
(South Area)
Leif has responsibility for 11 sites towards the south end of the county
including the winter ski/sledding operation at Pigeon Creek Park, the
Upper Macatawa Natural Area and the Historic Weaver House at Pine Bend.
Leif also oversees the County Parks Invasive Species Control/Land Stewardship
program. Leif has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand Valley State University
and has been an Ottawa County Parks Supervisor since 1998.
Anne Engvall - Parks Supervisor (North Area)
Anne has responsibility 13 sites in the north part of the county including
some of the newest county parks such as Crockery Creek Natural Area and
Eastmanville Farm. Anne has an extensive background in facility management
and maintenance and has worked for parks since 2005.
Lynn Bradtmueller - Parks Supervisor (Park Maintenance)
Lynn performs a wide range of hands-on maintenance, repairs and other work.
Lynn has an extensive background and experience in carpentry, plumbing,
heavy equipment operation and project management. Lynn started for the
department in 2009.
