By Bruce Ten Haken, Creation Care Ministry member
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Kristen Hintz, the Coordinator of Interpretive & Information Services at Hemlock Crossing, part of the Ottawa County Parks system. Kristen’s title is another way of saying she makes visits to Ottawa County Parks educational and fun!
Kristen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Environmental Education and Interpretation. She completed her elementary teaching credential at GVSU in 2007 and joined Ottawa County.
Some of the programs Kristen wanted to emphasize for the coming summer are contained below, as well as links to the Ottawa County Parks System. Please join in the fun, plug into an outdoor event, and be kind to yourself and this beautiful planet. Listed below are a few opportunities in hopes of piquing your interest.
Springing into Wellness, a program to get you active by visiting area Parks; Kayaking, Canoeing and Paddling; Kids’ Summer Camp opportunities; Hiking, Bicycling, Mountain Biking; Stewardship and Nature programs to curtail invasive species; Macatawa Watershed and Greenways; Celebrating History of the Lake Michigan Coastal Greenway and the Getz Farm. There are also a new StoryWalk program for walking and reading, Birding Walks, Night Hikes, and Astronomy. It all sounds too fun, doesn’t it!
The Ottawa County Parks spring newsletter will connect you to all of these Spring and early Summer programs. There’s a wonderful variety of opportunities for individuals, groups and organizations, and families, no matter the area of interest.
You can also find the activities and events at Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing at the county’s Event Registration page. You can see exactly what Kristen and the rest of the staff have to offer. They are also building a library of online programs to bring nature to you, enabling you to explore the habitats in Michigan from the comfort of your own home. Each habitat and topic will include informational videos and fun activities for people of all ages including read-alouds, programs, and scavenger hunts.
To engage in person with everything Kristen and the Ottawa County Parks team has to offer, visit them at The Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing, 8115 West Olive Road, West Olive. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. You can contact them by phone at (616) 786-4847 or email ocparks@miottawa.org.
Oh, and by the way, a Hope Church member, Kristen is mother to Kayla and daughter to Peter and Carole Hintz and serves as Deacon on Consistory.
Feed your Spirit and get out into God’s Creation!