“The restoration project has had tremendous progress in the past month.”
Rylie Dorman is Communications Specialist for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. She says shoreline grading around the inland lake as well as construction on the 6-acre interdunal wetland have been completed.
“There’s a lot happening out there still and we are currently waiting on a part for the treehouses and yurts.”
Dorman says pending the arrival of that part, the park is currently on schedule to reopen to the public by late summer.
Ottawa Sands closed on April 1st due to several planned projects involving construction and restoration work.
Ottawa Parks and Rec teamed up with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Audubon Great Lakes to restore wetland and bring native birds back to the area.
“The project is really exciting because it will conserve wetlands for vulnerable marsh birds in the eastern Lake Michigan region.”
Previous sand mining operations at the park significantly disturbed 188 acres of the park. Current efforts will help restore wetland vegetation and over 3,000 feet of shoreline will be restored to foster habitat for diverse wildlife and birds.
“The shoreline is characterized by steep slopes due to the historical mining operations out at Ottawa Sands, so part of the restoration efforts were selected grading to make a more gradual slope which will allow for wetland vegetation growth.”
