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Macatawa River Greenspace (former Holland Country Club)
City of Holland
Project Description: Ottawa County Parks was selected to receive a grant of $646,800 from the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant
program for its “Golf Course to Wetlands: Holland Country Club Restoration Project”.
The project involves Ottawa County Parks, working with partners, to implement best management
practices identified in the Macatawa Watershed Implementation Plan including wetland and stream
restoration in the lower riverfront areas within the 122 acre park property.
Partners include the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC) watershed project and the Outdoor
Discovery Center/Macatawa Greenway. Plans call for 32 acres of wetland restoration through the grant
project which will supplement 21 acres of wetland mitigation funded and constructed by Request Foods, a
private business that paid Ottawa County Parks$73,000 for the right to construct a wetland mitigation
project on the property. The Request Foods wetlands, which were carefully designed to enhance and
restore the site, replaced wetlands that were removed while expanding the company’s operations at its
Holland Township location at a ratio of 2 new acres for every acre removed..
Both the EPA funded grant project and the privately funded mitigation project will create wetlands and
stabilize stream banks which will reduce non-point source pollutant loading to Lake Macatawa and Lake
Michigan and reduce phosphorous levels. The highly visible restoration projects with restored plant and
wildlife communities will provide excellent opportunities for watershed education in addition to a variety
of outdoor recreation opportunities.
The Holland Country Club property was acquired in March of 2010 for $450,000. Funding was provided
by the county parks millage plus $70,000 in donated funds raised by the Outdoor Discovery Center –
Macatawa Greenway Partnership, a project partner.
Ottawa County initiated a public input process in the spring of 2011 to help develop a conceptual master
plan for the site. Two meetings were held to provide information about the site to the public and to gather
comments. A plan was then developed that integrates the proposed wetland and stream bank
improvements with recreation facilities. The plan incorporates new parking, hiking and cross-country ski
trails, a paved greenway trail lining perks and preserves along the greenway corridor, nature and historic
interpretation, a nature play area, picnic facilities, and disk golf. The parks commission has budgeted
OVERALL SITE PLAN
funds to construct the first phase of improvements to provide basic access and amenities to the site and as
well as implement the trail system and disc golf.
Project Updates: 01.18.13 The wetland restoration portion of the work has been completed and final reports as required by the
EPA grant have been submitted. The recreation portion of the project is also very nearly complete. Minor
carpentry and painting remain. In addition, our contractor has constructed an educational deck into one of the
wetland cells paid for by the Outdoor Discovery Center. Hole baskets for the disc golf course have been
delivered to the site. Final work to clean up the site, install signage, and get the park ready for opening will
happen in the spring.
12.28.12 Minor carpentry and painting remain. In addition, our contractor will be constructing an educational
deck into one of the wetland cells to be paid for by the Outdoor Discovery Center. Hole baskets for the disc
golf course have been ordered for installation in the spring.
11.28.12 The wetland restoration portion of the work is complete except for some minor clean-up items. Some
of this work was completed just recently and is under warranty, so it is anticipated that reseeding and erosion
repair will be required in some areas in the spring. The recreation portion of the project is also very nearly
complete. Minor carpentry and painting remain. In addition, our contractor will be constructing an
educational deck into one of the wetland cells to be paid for by the Outdoor Discovery Center. Benches
constructed by an eagle scout were also installed at multiple locations along the disc golf course.
ENLARGED SITE PLAN
10.31.12 Restoration work and construction of the recreational elements of the project are almost complete. All
concrete and bituminous paving is complete as well the boardwalks, kiosk, and pit toilets. Final restoration
work continues as well as work on the park gates. Benches constructed by an eagle scout are also scheduled to
be installed for the disc golf course.
New wetlands filling with water New boardwalk Kiosk and Pit Toilet Area
Restored and re-vegetated Barrier-free parking and picnic Disc golf tee area #1
Stream banks pad
09.27.12 River bank restoration and bulk earthwork is complete. Final shaping is in progress and some areas
of the site have been reseeded. Work on the recreational components of the project continues with bridge and
boardwalk construction, disc golf tee pads, and preparation for paved walkways.
New curved boardwalk View of curved board from new View from proposed overlook on
berm berm
New boardwalk New boardwalk Existing building demolished
08.22.12 River bank restoration work is complete. Excavation of wetland areas is now in progress. Work on
more detailed layout of the disc golf course is in progress. Four tee pads have been installed.
Relocated bridge and new Boardwalk segment through River bank restoration
approach wetland
New boardwalk Reshaping river banks New gentle slopes
07.25.12 Boardwalk work continues with completion of the approach to the relocated bridge. River bank
restoration work continues with work on the Noorderloos Creek almost complete Work on more detailed
layout of the disc golf course is in progress.
07.05.12 Three boardwalk sections have been completed in existing wetland areas on the south side of
Noorderloos Creek. Boardwalk work and major excavation along and north of the creek and the Macatawa
River will start in the next few days. Work on more detailed layout of the disc golf course is in progress.
New boardwalk section End connection detail
04.29.12 Major remaining excavation is scheduled to begin in June when conditions should start to be the
driest of the season. Work on boardwalk sections and other recreational facilities is scheduled to start in May.
Work on more detailed layout of the disc golf course is in progress.
03.29.12 One of the existing golf course bridges has been relocated, and materials for the river bank work are
being delivered. Bids have been received for the remainder of the recreational facility work, and a
recommended contractor will be presented at the Parks Commission meeting.
Stored materials Wetland cell starting to green-up New bridge
02.29.12 Some construction activity has started again. One of the existing golf course bridges has been
relocated, and materials for the river bank work are being delivered. A bid package for the remainder of the
recreational facility work is scheduled to be ready in March.
Relocated bridge looking north Relocated bridge looking SE New bridge abutment
12.01.11 Work has been completed for this fall for the restoration portion of the work. The first and highest
wetland cell has been excavated. The parking area has been graded, culvert placed near the road, and gravel
base installed. Design of the remaining recreational components is in progress by staff.
Entrance Drive looking south Parking Area Water control structure for first
from Paw Paw Drive wetland cell
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