Committee approves Bass River easement, backs two MNRTF grant applications for Rosy Mound and Idema Explorers Trail

The committee on March 11 approved three park-related items: a county purchase of a 30-foot easement for the Bass River trail, approval to apply for Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) funding for Rosy Mound expansion phase 1, and approval to apply for MNRTF funding for the Bass River segment of the Idema Explorers Trail (phase 2).

Parks staff said the Bass River easement will allow the nonmotorized trail to be placed outside a roadside ditch, improving user experience and avoiding regulatory complications. Kirk Tuhar, coordinator for Parks, Planning and Development, told the committee the easement is a 30-foot strip adjacent to the road where the property abuts the right-of-way and that Ottawa County Parks has completed many similar easements over the past decade. The roll call recorded the motion as passed.

The committee also approved moving forward on a Rosy Mound Natural Area phase 1 improvements application to the MNRTF. Parks described a $1.2 million project that would fund a new north-side entrance, parking, barrier-free loop trail, an accessible dune overlook and connections to existing trails. Parks said project costs were estimated at $1.1 million for construction and approximately $100,000 for professional fees; the county will seek $400,000 from MNRTF and expects the rest from the parks millage, a Coastal Zone grant, and fundraising by the Parks Foundation.

Committee members asked about accessibility: staff explained “barrier-free” means paved and gently graded loops intended to provide comparable experiences for people with mobility limits, including wheelchairs and strollers. Parks said construction from the grant, if approved by the legislature, would likely begin in late 2026 or early 2027 because the state awards are recommended in December and legislative appropriation typically follows in the summer.

Finally, the committee approved forwarding an application for MNRTF funds to construct phase 2 of the Grand River Greenway (Bass River segment / Idema Explorers Trail). Parks said that phase includes a bridge over the Bass River, long boardwalks and wetland-sensitive design; construction costs were estimated at $1,182,000. Parks Foundation fundraising would cover about $782,000 and the requested MNRTF grant would be $400,000. Staff said the project is smaller in scale than some county trail projects but costly owing to wetland crossings and a bridge.

All three motions were moved, seconded and carried on roll call votes.