A hiking trail in Ottawa County and a kayak launch in Fruitport are among a diverse range of projects recommended this week for state outdoor recreation grants.

Temperatures are expected to reach into the 40s for much of this coming week.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — Changes may soon be coming to a pair of township parks.

The redevelopment of the village of Spring Lake’s Tanglefoot Park is getting a big boost from two local residents who have pledged $1 million toward the project.

Commuters and homeowners along Waverly Avenue near Beechtree Street should see the road open again today after a closure this past week for work at Sluka Field.

The line to wait for a pickleball match at Mulligan's Hollow may soon be shrinking.

FERRYSBURG — Despite the cooler weather and rain, a crowd gathered at the Ottawa Sands county park for a dedication ceremony Tuesday.

Ferrysburg’s new fire truck-themed playground is open for business.

FERRYSBURG — Since 2017, Ottawa County Parks employees have been working with their partners to acquire a 345-acre Ferrysburg property previously owned by Gaylen Byker.

SPRING LAKE TWP. — Rycenga Park is going high-tech.

Heavy rain may have slowed the work down, but it didn’t stop the start of the community build Wednesday at Ferrysburg Fire Barn Park.

Grand Haven Township’s parks system has grown.

Mosquitoes carrying the deadly Eastern equine encephalitis have driven at least one Friday night football game in Michigan to the daylight hours.

Approximately 10 people set out into Hiawatha Forest on Wednesday afternoon to start a series of small fires, with plans to help the native environment.

Whether it’s on foot or on horseback, a mountain bike or a snowmobile – or even in a canoe – Michigan has a trail for you.

Hard to believe it’s almost Labor Day. But, fortunately, we have a long, summer-stretching weekend ahead.

Spring Lake Village Council members say they want to know the cost estimates before committing to any changes at Tanglefoot Park.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — A visit to Mercury Park offers guests use of a softball field and playground on one end, and may soon have a multipurpose grass field on the other side.

FERRYSBURG — For the past two years, the Ottawa County Parks system has worked to purchase a 345-acre property previously owned by Gaylen Byker.

The Tri-Cities Family YMCA was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the JSJ Foundation Fund.

Whenever a tragedy happens on the Great Lakes, it’s only natural for people to begin to wonder what precautions are in place to warn swimmers and boaters of dangerous water.

Ryan Venhuizen rode in a single engine airplane for the first time as a 15-year-old at a Young Eagles event and now, 26 years later, he brought his kids for their first experience with the program.

Life doesn’t hand out many free rides, but this coming Saturday, the youth of Grand Haven will get the opportunity for a free plane ride at the Young Eagles event at the local airport.

ROBINSON TWP. — Ludwig Vollmer used to tell his children that their farm and 40 acres of land would one day be a park.

SPRING LAKE – Recreational opportunities at Mill Point and Tanglefoot parks may get a boost in the the future.

After wading through a pool of 82 candidates, Ottawa County Administrator Al Vanderberg announced Tuesday that Jason Shamblin has been selected to serve as the county’s parks and recreation director.

To celebrate 100 years of Michigan’s state parks, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer handed out ingredients to make s’mores to dozens of local schoolchildren at Grand Haven State Park on Friday.

Blue skies and temperatures hovering around 60 Tuesday afternoon greeted passengers eager to see a section of the Grand River from aboard a replica of an old-time riverboat.

WEST OLIVE — Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective will transform the nature center at Hemlock Crossing County Park into a one-night-only, pop-up art venue Saturday, March 23, from 5-8 p.m.

A controversial ban on alcohol use on three Michigan rivers has been delayed until at least 2020.

If you plan to fish or canoe on some Michigan rivers this summer, leave the liquor at home.

Longtime Ottawa County parks chief John Scholtz is retiring this summer, but he doesn’t plan on retiring his love for enjoying the parks he has helped develop.

Improvements for visitors and staff are coming to the pavilion at Grand Haven State Park, thanks to a state grant awarded last month.

The newest Ottawa County park is here to stay. 

ALLENDALE TWP. — The Michigan Recreation and Park Association — an organization dedicated to the advancement of public spaces, recreation and natural resources — announced this week that Ottawa County Parks was awarded the 2018 Park Design award for Grand Ravines.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — Crews set to work this week to remove the inline skate rink from Mercury Park in Grand Haven Township.

Ferry Voyager School students raced to be the first to try out new play equipment at East Grand River Park on Monday. 

ROBINSON TWP. — Runners will get a glimpse of a new and growing trail system Saturday at the 231 River Run 4K.

Mary Schultz said she hadn’t laughed so hard or as much in such a long time as she did when she and her three Schroeder siblings recreated a pose for a picture that appeared in the Grand Haven Tribune in August 1968.

CROCKERY TWP. — An Ottawa County trail system is 96 percent complete, and a fundraising campaign is aiming to carry it the rest of the way.

A land donation sought for a 75-acre recreational park in Grand Haven Township has fallen through.

FERRYSBURG — Coast Guard Park could be in for a name change.

LELAND — Jamie Racklyeft nearly died in a rip current in Lake Michigan off Van's Beach in Leland six years ago.

WEST OLIVE — Taylor Antoski has a unique perspective on helping people with special needs.

The YMCA Fishing Camp started its third week of fishing trips along the Grand Haven boardwalk on Monday.

Grand Haven leaders have taken the next step toward updating an east-side city park.

The Grand Haven fireworks show next week will feature plenty of surprises with a creative, synchronized design, according to City Manager Pat McGinnis.

GEORGETOWN TWP. — Grand River Park has a new feature catered toward children with autism.

A potential gift of nearly 75 acres to Grand Haven Township would have an effect on bolstering recreational opportunities in the area.