Public Spaces

My Town: Four-legged landscapers coming to Ottawa County parks

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Tuesday, April 15th, 2014, 10:47am

My Town: Four-legged landscapers coming to Ottawa County parks

COOPERSVILLE, Mich.-- Three Ottawa County parks will welcome some four-legged landscapers next month.

The Ottawa County Parks Department is bringing in goats to combat invasive plant species. The goats will be released at Bur Oak Landing in Coopersville, Eastmanville Bayou in Allendale and Riverside Park in Grand Haven in May. Parks officials say eating plants instead of grain is healthier for goats, and the animals like to eat graze on woody, shrub-like plants including poison ivy, which is in abundance at the parks. The Ottawa County Parks Department says repeated use of grazing goats has been shown to eliminate 90 percent of invasive, woody plants over three years.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Larry Halverson, Contributing Writer

Friday, April 11th, 2014, 7:00am

My Town: GVSU string chamber quartet to perform at LDL April 13

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. -- Classical music has been the most requested music form for concert goers of the Loutit District Library Sunday Afternoon Concert Series. As a result, that popular genre will again be featured as LDL presents the Grand Valley State University Student String Quartet on April 13.

The GVSU Student Quartet is comprised of violinists Jaclyn Ruedisueli and Alison Sall, violist Elizabeth Boyce and cellist Kevin Flynn. They will perform Ludwig Van Beethoven’s String Quartet op. 18 No. 4 in C Minor. The movement consists of Allegro ma non tanto, Andante scherzoso quasi Allegretto, Menuetto: Allegretto, and Allegro – Prestissimo.

The monthly concert series begins at 2 p.m. on the library’s upper level and are free to the public. Library officials urge patrons to arrive early due to limited seating. LDL opens at 1 p.m. on Sundays.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Monday, April 7th, 2014, 7:00am

My Town: Ottawa County millage renewal up for discussion

FERRYSBURG, Mich.—Voters may soon decide whether to renew a millage for the North Ottawa Council on Aging.

During its regular meeting Monday night, the Ferrysburg City Council will discuss and possibly vote on whether to add the proposed renewal to the August 5 ballot. The proposal is for .2500 mills from 2015 through 2024.

The North Ottawa Council on Aging provides resources and support to seniors living in North Ottawa County. Service areas include Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, Allendale, Coopersville and Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Polk, Chester, Wright and Crockery townships.

Monday’s meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Ferrysburg City Hall, located at 17290 Roosevelt Road.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014, 11:00am

My Town: Friends of the North Bank Trail to pursue trail building grant

CROCKERY TOWNSHIP, Mich.— A group supporting a new trail connecting Spring Lake to Coopersville is moving forward with its grant request.

On Tuesday, Friends of the North Bank Trail released this map on Facebook, showing where the proposed 18-mile pathway would be created. The North Bank Trail would connect the Spring Lake Bike Path to the east end of the Musketawa Trail.

Crockery Township recently sought support from Coopersville, Walker and other nearby communities to apply for a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for Phase 2 of the trail.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Saturday, March 29th, 2014, 7:00am

My Town Spring Lake: Hotel employees begin second leg of lighthouse tour

SPRING LAKE, Mich.—This weekend, two employees of the Grand Haven/Spring Lake Holiday Inn will continue their journey to visit nearly 60 lighthouses lining Lake Michigan.

Marketing Director Kendra Higgins and Event Coordinator Molly Tuma began their lighthouse tour last fall, when they ventured north to cities along Lake Michigan, including Ludington, Traverse City and Mackinaw. Starting Saturday, March 29, they’ll begin the second leg of their journey, visiting lighthouses in southern Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. The pair will use the West Michigan Tourist Association’s Circle Tour and Lighthouse Map as a guide during the one week trip.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Monday, March 24th, 2014, 10:10am

My Town: City leaders to weigh in on North Bank Trail funding

CROCKERY TOWNSHIP, Mich.—Monday night, the Coopersville City Council is expected to weigh in on a plan to fund a new trail connecting Spring Lake to Coopersville.

The North Bank Trail would be an 18-mile pathway that would connect the Spring Lake Bike Path to the east end of the Musketawa Trail. Crockery Township is asking for the City of Coopersville’s support in seeking project funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Coopersville City Manager Steven Patrick is recommending the city council approve a resolution supporting the trust fund application, saying the trail would offer economic benefits.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Monday, March 24th, 2014, 7:00am

GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, Mich.— The 417-acre Hofma Park and Preserve may soon grow by another 40 acres.

Within the next two weeks, Grand Haven Township officials plan to file for a state grant to help pay for purchasing 40 acres of land adjacent to Hofma Park and Preserve. The land is approximately 52 percent forested wetland and 48 percent upland field with Christmas trees. The land is currently owned by the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Township Superintendent Bill Cargo says the land acquisition is expected to cost approximately $368,000. Approximately 75 percent of that cost would be covered by the grant; the other 25 percent would come out of the township’s general fund.

The grant decision is expected to be finalized by November or December 2014. If approved, Cargo is hopeful the grant would be funded in January 2015.

Cargo says the land would be kept in its natural state.

View Comments | Post a Comment