Parks & Open Space Millage

Because the August 4 renewal and restoration was approved, a separate proposal will appear on the November 3 ballot. Voters will consider an additional 0.20-mill investment to expand park improvements, conservation efforts, and recreation opportunities beyond what the renewal alone can support. This would mark the first proposed increase in the millage in the 30 years it has supported Ottawa County Parks.

Ballot language is as follows:

November 3, 2026 – Proposed 0.20-mill Increase
For 10 years beginning with the tax assessments in December of 2027 and ending with the assessments in December of 2036, shall the total taxable property rate limitation in Ottawa County under Section 6 of Article IX of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, be increased up to the amount of 0.20 mills (20 cents per thousand dollars of taxable value) as an increase to the renewed 0.33 mill authorization for the purpose of acquiring, improving, operating, maintaining, restoring, and protecting parks, open space, trails, greenways, water access sites, recreational facilities, and related conservation and educational activities in Ottawa County and if approved and levied in full, this millage will raise an estimated $3,763,230 in the first calendar year it is levied (2027).

The proposed 0.20-mill increase would fund:

• Expanded trail and water access along the county’s four major greenways 
• New accessible, year-round amenities that make parks more welcoming for people of all abilities, including modern restrooms at Riley Trails, Rosy Mound, Grand Ravines, and Paw Paw Park 
• Future improvements at Bend Area, informed by public master planning, to enhance the visitor experience, restore habitat, and expand recreation opportunities 
• $3 million for strategic land acquisition opportunities adjacent to existing park properties 
• Enhanced nature education facilities and community gathering spaces to better support students, school field trips, and public programming 
• New nature playscapes at Paw Paw Park and Hemlock Crossing 
• Expansion and improvements to the Grand Ravines Dog Park 
• Conservation, habitat restoration, and long-term stewardship of natural areas, including wetland restoration, forest stewardship, watershed planning, and regenerative landscaping 
• Preparedness and resilience initiatives to address emerging natural hazards, including flooding and wildfires

A full list of projects is available in Table 13.2 on page 273 of the 2026 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan. 

Visit miOttawa.org/taxes to see a personalized millage investment estimate for your property. For a home with a market value of $400,000, the proposed 0.2-mill increase would cost no more than an additional $40 per year. Actual costs vary based on taxable value.  

How to find your personalized millage investment: 

• Visit the Real Property Search.
• Enter your last name, parcel number, or property address.
• Click Search, then select your parcel #.
• Click the green “Calculate Proposed Millages” button.
• Your estimated investment in the proposed millages will populate on the page.

Ottawa County has experienced significant population growth, increased visitation to parks and trails, and rising maintenance and operating costs. As the park system has matured, available funding is now largely dedicated to day-to-day operations, maintenance, and the repair and replacement of aging infrastructure.

Under the current 0.33-mill rate, projected revenues are sufficient to sustain existing parks and facilities, but leave little capacity to expand trail connections, protect additional natural areas, improve access, or meet growing public demand.

Since 2020, more than 10,000 residents have identified trail connections, natural resource protection, improved access, and year-round recreation as top priorities. A millage increase would help address these priorities while continuing to maintain the parks and facilities residents already enjoy.

A millage is a property tax used to fund a public service.

The Parks and Open Space Millage helps fund the operation, maintenance, stewardship, and improvement of Ottawa County’s system of more than 40 parks and open spaces. 

• First approved in 1996 as a 10-year, 0.33-mill tax
• Renewed in 2006 with 67% support
• Renewed in 2016 with 72.3% support
• Renewed again in 2026 with 66.7% support

No. While the parks millage is the primary and most stable source of funding, Ottawa County Parks uses a diversified funding approach. This includes cost recovery methods such as user fees where appropriate, philanthropic support through gifts and donations, partnerships, and state and federal grants. Together, these sources help support both day-to-day operations and capital improvements, while maximizing the impact of local tax dollars.

Since its last renewal, the Parks & Open Space millage has supported high-quality park maintenance, natural resource stewardship, and major improvements across the county. Highlights include:

New and improved park amenities

• Grand Ravines: Modern restroom, expanded paved trail system, and universally accessible kayak launch 
• Ottawa Sands: 1.6-mile accessible path, modern restroom, parking area, universally accessible kayak launch, ecological enhancements to inland lake shoreline, and creation of six acres of interdunal wetlands
• Historic Ottawa Beach Parks: New marina with transient slips, accessible kayak launch, expanded waterfront walkway, and modern restroom
• Kirk Park: New playground and renovated restroom with changing facilities
• Grose Park: New playground and nearly two acres of restored prairie
• Riverside Park: Shoreline and wetland restoration, repairs to boat launch and access roads, and upgraded culverts to improve drainage and reduce flooding
• Upper Macatawa Natural Area: New modern restroom (pending)

Expanded trails and regional connections

• Over 10 miles of new trail along the Idema Explorers Trail, part of a planned 36.5-mile connection between Grand Haven and Grand Rapids
  • Georgetown Segment (2.05 miles): Bend Area to Jenison Mill
  • Bill Idema Moraine Segment (1.73 miles): Grand Ravines to Grand River Park
  • Jenison Mill Segment (0.98 miles): Ottawa County to Kent County
  • Bayou Segment (6 miles): Completes the 24-mile Grand Crossings Loop and connects to the M-231 bridge
• Continued progress on the Macatawa Greenway, including land and easement acquisition and trail expansion

Land preservation and park expansion

• 1,150 acres acquired, expanding Bend Area and Rosy Mound, and adding Ottawa Sands, Stearns Creek Park (North and South), and Bass River Open Spaces

This recommendation is the result of a comprehensive planning process informed by public input, scientific data, and stakeholder engagement. Ottawa County Parks evaluated current conditions, future needs, and community priorities to guide this recommendation.

Resources:

• 2024 Strategic Plan
• 2024 Scientific Survey
• 2026 Voter Survey
• 2026 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan

The renewed millage is expected to generate approximately $6.2 million during the first calendar year after its approval (2027), approximately $1 million of which will fund major renovations, repairs, and upgrades annually, in addition to: