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Parks department cites 2M annual visits and seeks voter input on 0.53‑mill proposal
Summary
Ottawa County Parks reported over 2,000,000 visitors in 2025, ongoing land acquisitions and trail expansions, and a parks commission request to place a 0.53‑mill replacement/increase on the ballot; the board scheduled a public hearing for April 30, 2026 and edited notice language to clarify timing and scope.
Jason Chamblin and park staff summarized 2025 gains: more than 2,000,000 visitors for a third straight year, protection of roughly 7,700 acres, the addition of 127 acres at Rosy Brown Natural Area and progress on the Idema Explorers Trail. Chamblin emphasized volunteer support (more than 14,000 volunteer hours) and a successful public engagement process for the parks strategic plan. "When complete, the Idema Explorers Trail will span more than 36 miles," staff said, citing the trail vision.
Following presentations and public comment—where multiple residents urged the board to allow voters to decide—the board adopted a resolution to schedule a public hearing on 04/30/2026 on a parks and open‑space millage replacement/increase to a combined 0.53 mills. The board amended the notice language to clarify that consideration of placement could occur for the August 4 or November 3, 2026 election and adjusted wording so the public understands the board retains authority to act within the stated 0.53‑mill cap. The parks commission and staff were invited to make presentations at the hearing and to consider alternate ballot structures as public input emerges.
