Hope Church members have been hiking, walking their dogs, geocaching and birding in Ottawa County Parks the past month, racking up visits for the Parks Challenge. It’s not too late to join in!
Participate in the Parks Challenge:
- Join us for Park Outings (see scheduled dates below) or go on your own.
- Fill in the Challenge Check List for each park visited.
- Kids play “Park Bingo”. Put a sticker on each park visited and earn a prize each time you get a new Bingo (six in a row). Keep visiting parks and putting the stickers on! Show Peter or Judith Boogaart to receive a prize.
- Take pictures of yourself at the park sign or your favorite spot in each park visited and post your photos on the display by the Caring for Creation bulletin board.
June Outings
Ottawa County Park events:
- Spring Butterflies Saturday, June 1, 2pm, Hemlock Crossing-Nature Education Center. After a brief indoor introduction, we will search for butterflies and other insects in the native grassland along the trails.
- Pigeon River Kayak Trips Tuesday, June 4, 9:30am – 1:30pm. These 3.5-mile kayak tours begin at Hemlock Crossing and end at Sheldon Landing. Return transportation to Hemlock Crossing is via carpool. Each trip includes a basic kayaking lesson. No experience is needed. The fee is $35 per person and includes a kayak, paddle and life jacket. There is limited space for those bringing their own kayak at $15 per person. Preregistration is required. A detailed letter will be sent after you register.
- Dune Nature Hike Saturday, June, 8, 2pm, Olive Shores. How do forests grow on sand? Explore the dunes, revealing the diversity living there.
Caring for Creation scheduled outings:
- Hike around the pond Wednesday, June 19, 9am, Hawthorn Pond Natural Area. Call Vicki Rumpsa for details.
- Explore Upper Macatawa Sunday, June 23, 12:30pm. Meet at Upper Mac Natural Area 84th Street parking lot at 2 p.m. to hike the trails and learn about this wetlands restoration project. Bring a snack to share afterwards. Call the Boogaarts for details.
- Historic Ottawa Beach Wednesday, June 26, 5:15pm. Walk the boardwalk, supper at the Corn Dog Place, climb the stairs at Mt. Pisgah. Call Vicki Rumpsa for details.
But you don’t need to wait for us – go on your own anytime! All necessary materials are available at the display next to the Caring for Creation bulletin board. Happy hiking!