The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPR) was established in 1987 with nine properties. Today, OCPR manages 7,500 acres of land in 42 parks and open spaces—a parks system that sees over 2 million visitors per year. This fall, options for funding OCPR will be on the ballot in both August and November.

OCPR supports multiple facets of land management, from maintaining public park facilities to restoring healthy ecosystems and connecting the public to our wild spaces. The parks facilities team travels throughout the county ensuring that bathroom facilities are clean and operational, rivers and trails are navigable, and signage is up to date. The natural resources team conducts surveys and recommends science-backed management techniques to ensure that our public lands continue supporting life. From prescribed fires to support grasslands (important habitats for many species of butterflies) to insecticide treatments to protect our hemlock trees from invasive insects. The community engagement team hosts programming for both school groups and the general public, with nearly 5,000 students throughout West Michigan participating in outdoor field trips each year. Additionally, after hearing from residents about a shortage of suitable childcare for school-age children, in 2025 OCPR launched a licensed day camp providing care for up to 50 children each week during school breaks. 

All of this important work requires funding—and that’s where your vote in August and November comes in. The initial millage was approved in 1996, then renewed in both 2006 and 2016. Though the parks originally sought a 0.5-mill rate, the Board of Commissioners ultimately approved the current 0.33-mill rate with the promise of bolstering the Parks budget. However, this supplemental amount is not guaranteed and can fluctuate tremendously depending on other budgetary priorities. 

On August 4, voters will be asked to approve a restoration and renewal of the 0.33-mill rate for the next ten years. The renewal would continue to fund Parks operations as they are now—with additional funding earmarked for projects like completing the Idema Explorers Trail and constructing a parking area at the Rosy Mound Expansion. 

On the November 3 ballot, voters will be asked to approve an increase of 0.2-mill. This increase would provide additional funding for community requests, including refreshed restrooms, expanded nature education programming, and more ecosystem restoration throughout the parks. 

Voters can see an estimate of their millage rates at MiOttawa.org/Taxes. To find out specific cost estimates and project priorities, check out the 2026 Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Strategic Plan (hop to pages 285 through 291).