Kollen

Park

Department of Leisure and Cultural Services

Gray R. Gogolin ~ Director Andy Kenyon, Parks and

Cemetery Superintendent Adrienne Schumacher,

Recreation Coordinator Ad VandenAkker, Windmill

Island Gardens Manager Rob Venner, DeGraaf Nature

Center Coordinator

LCS Commission Members

Nancy DeBoerCarolyn Marquis

Joe SilvaRobert VanderKamp

Marc Van SoestMark TuckerTod Gugino

Derek Johnson

History History

Given to the City of Holland on February 12, 1921 by Martha Given to the City of Holland on February 12, 1921 by Martha Diekema Kollen, in memory of her late husband George E. KollenDiekema Kollen, in memory of her late husband George E. Kollen She purchased the property in 1921 from the DePree She purchased the property in 1921 from the DePree CompanyCompany

o Previously was owned by the C L King Basket CompanyPreviously was owned by the C L King Basket Companyo They made bushel baskets They made bushel baskets

Mrs. Kollen deeded the 19 acre plot, stipulating that the land Mrs. Kollen deeded the 19 acre plot, stipulating that the land be developed into a public park / playground to be known as be developed into a public park / playground to be known as George E. Kollen Memorial ParkGeorge E. Kollen Memorial Park

o She wanted the land to serve as a lasting memorial to her She wanted the land to serve as a lasting memorial to her husband, who regretted that Holland residents did not have a husband, who regretted that Holland residents did not have a park on the waterfrontpark on the waterfronto A park would benefit the greatest number of peopleA park would benefit the greatest number of peopleo Mayor E.P. Stephan – “Kollen Park is a place where people Mayor E.P. Stephan – “Kollen Park is a place where people of this and future generations who do not possess the means of this and future generations who do not possess the means of going to distant places, can find a breathing space and can of going to distant places, can find a breathing space and can enjoy the lake at their door.” enjoy the lake at their door.”

Courtesy of the Holland Museum

Courtesy of the Holland Museum

George E. Kollen Memorial Park Takes Shape George E. Kollen Memorial Park Takes Shape

Development of the park started in 1927 under the direction of Development of the park started in 1927 under the direction of then Superintendent John Van Bragtthen Superintendent John Van Bragt Factory workers held “cleanup bees” and donated their Factory workers held “cleanup bees” and donated their service to get the grounds in shape at comparatively small service to get the grounds in shape at comparatively small expense to the growing cityexpense to the growing city John Van Bragt and Parks Department designed the terraceJohn Van Bragt and Parks Department designed the terrace

o Large cement vats were left over from the demolition of Large cement vats were left over from the demolition of the factorythe factoryo Made futile attempts to dynamite the vatsMade futile attempts to dynamite the vatso Cut the sod to the level of the sunken vatsCut the sod to the level of the sunken vatso Terrace had an “upstairs” and a “downstairs”Terrace had an “upstairs” and a “downstairs”o Reservations used to be taken for picnics and people Reservations used to be taken for picnics and people designated their choice designated their choice

Courtesy of the Holland Museum

Park was officially turned over to the Holland City Playground Park was officially turned over to the Holland City Playground Commission in 1929Commission in 1929 Playground equipment was purchased through pledges made Playground equipment was purchased through pledges made in a drive by the Holland Lions Club in 1928in a drive by the Holland Lions Club in 1928 Original events held at Kollen ParkOriginal events held at Kollen Park

o Swimming started in 1929, but hasn’t been allowed for Swimming started in 1929, but hasn’t been allowed for yearsyearso 4 lifeguards were on duty and taught swimming4 lifeguards were on duty and taught swimmingo Life saving instruction was given Life saving instruction was given o Playground attendance in 1930 totaled over 34,000Playground attendance in 1930 totaled over 34,000o In 1930, the American Legion band concerts were moved In 1930, the American Legion band concerts were moved back and forth from Centennial Park to Kollen Park until 1938 back and forth from Centennial Park to Kollen Park until 1938 when they were a permanent summer attraction at Kollen.when they were a permanent summer attraction at Kollen.o The band shell opened in 1960The band shell opened in 1960

Courtesy of the Holland Museum

Courtesy of the Holland Museum

Since the original Since the original donation of 50 trees given donation of 50 trees given to the city by George to the city by George Bender in 1930, more Bender in 1930, more than 60 different varieties than 60 different varieties of trees have been of trees have been planted. planted.

o Gingko Maidenhair Gingko Maidenhair of China, Arelia, of China, Arelia, Devil’s Walking Stick, Devil’s Walking Stick, Wier and Norway Wier and Norway Maple, Black and Maple, Black and White Ash, Beech and White Ash, Beech and all types of evergreensall types of evergreens

Park has been enlarged Park has been enlarged to 21 acresto 21 acres

Tree and Plant Tree and Plant Varieties Varieties

In 1998, a community charrette was held to In 1998, a community charrette was held to develop a new redevelopment and expansion plan develop a new redevelopment and expansion plan

for Kollen Park. for Kollen Park.

Today, Kollen Park is the City’s major Today, Kollen Park is the City’s major waterfront recreational park and serves a waterfront recreational park and serves a

variety of open space and recreational variety of open space and recreational opportunities for the community. opportunities for the community.

Completed during Phase I in Fall - 2003Completed during Phase I in Fall - 2003o First phase of the boardwalk in the First phase of the boardwalk in the

north end of the parknorth end of the parko New playground area and equipmentNew playground area and equipmento Picnic ShelterPicnic Sheltero ParkingParkingo GazeboGazeboo Family-friendly designFamily-friendly design

Phase IPhase I

Phase I Site Plans

Kollen Park contains 2 Kollen Park contains 2 significant pieces of art placed significant pieces of art placed

in the park. The first is an in the park. The first is an authentic Mexican fountain authentic Mexican fountain donated by Holland’s sister donated by Holland’s sister city, Queretero, Mexico. It is city, Queretero, Mexico. It is

located at the top of the located at the top of the staircase just south of the staircase just south of the playground and restrooms. playground and restrooms.

The other is our Dutch The other is our Dutch immigrant sculpture from the immigrant sculpture from the Netherlands overlooking Lake Netherlands overlooking Lake

Macatawa just west of the Macatawa just west of the bandshell. bandshell.

International ArtInternational Art

Phase II, III and IVPhase II, III and IV

Final phases of Kollen Park Renovation completed Fall - 2008Final phases of Kollen Park Renovation completed Fall - 2008o Expansion of the boardwalk along the original Kollen Park Expansion of the boardwalk along the original Kollen Park

waterfrontwaterfronto New boat launching (3 lanes) and parking areaNew boat launching (3 lanes) and parking areao New boulevard entrance to Kollen Park from 16New boulevard entrance to Kollen Park from 16thth Street Streeto Addition of a new parking area adjacent to the Boatwerks Addition of a new parking area adjacent to the Boatwerks

Restaurant, sidewalks and walkways connecting the Restaurant, sidewalks and walkways connecting the former Western Tool property located west of the former Western Tool property located west of the restaurantrestaurant

o 6 boat day slips6 boat day slipso Extension of the waterfront boardwalk around the Heinz Extension of the waterfront boardwalk around the Heinz

facility, adding 1800 lineal feet of boardwalk to the 2150 facility, adding 1800 lineal feet of boardwalk to the 2150 feet along Kollen Park for a total of 3950 feet. feet along Kollen Park for a total of 3950 feet.

o Kollen Park now consists of over 24 acres AND the 1800 Kollen Park now consists of over 24 acres AND the 1800 lineal feet of boardwalk on a perpetual easement granted lineal feet of boardwalk on a perpetual easement granted by the H. J. Heinz Company……by the H. J. Heinz Company……

Heinz Waterfront Walkway, Heinz Waterfront Walkway, Kollen Park Launch Ramp, Kollen Park Launch Ramp, Boardwalk and BoulevardBoardwalk and Boulevard

Innovation – Accessibility Innovation – Accessibility Functionality - Aesthetic BeautyFunctionality - Aesthetic Beauty

Heinz / City of Heinz / City of Holland HistoryHolland History

In 1896, representatives from the H. J. In 1896, representatives from the H. J. Heinz Company toured several West Heinz Company toured several West Michigan cities trying to find an ideal Michigan cities trying to find an ideal location for a new pickle processing location for a new pickle processing plantplant

Heinz committed to building in Holland if Heinz committed to building in Holland if local farmers would pledge 300 acres of local farmers would pledge 300 acres of cucumbers for them and the City of cucumbers for them and the City of Holland would donate Holland would donate a building site with water shipping a building site with water shipping access and a rail sidingaccess and a rail siding

Citizens and farmers pledged over 500 Citizens and farmers pledged over 500 acresacres

The City of Holland purchased 2 acres The City of Holland purchased 2 acres for $800 on the present sitefor $800 on the present site

Today, the Heinz facility includes 17 Today, the Heinz facility includes 17 buildings covering 29 acresbuildings covering 29 acres

Commitment. Heinz is the only company Commitment. Heinz is the only company that has been in the City of Holland that has been in the City of Holland spanning 3 centuries!spanning 3 centuries!

Waterfront Walkway / Waterfront Walkway / Boardwalk BenefitsBoardwalk Benefits

Expanded fishing opportunitiesExpanded fishing opportunities Accessibility Accessibility

o BoatersBoaterso WalkersWalkerso Disabled / WheelchairsDisabled / Wheelchairso FishermenFishermeno SeniorsSeniors

SafeSafeo LightingLightingo Surveillance CamerasSurveillance Cameras

Sturdy ConstructionSturdy Constructiono Steel railings and understructureSteel railings and understructureo Weatherbest wood/plastic boards guaranteed for a lifetime of Weatherbest wood/plastic boards guaranteed for a lifetime of

useuseo Recycled pickle barrels Recycled pickle barrels

Final connector of walkway / non-motorized pathway creating a 5 Final connector of walkway / non-motorized pathway creating a 5 mile path from the marina on the west side of Heinz to Windmill mile path from the marina on the west side of Heinz to Windmill Island GardensIsland Gardens

Michigan DNR and Great Lakes Fishery TrustMichigan DNR and Great Lakes Fishery TrustGood Stewardship Good Stewardship

By working with the Michigan Department of Natural By working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, the Resources and the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, the commitment to our environment throughout the commitment to our environment throughout the

renovation process and the design and implementation of renovation process and the design and implementation of the final result at Kollen Park was kept a priority. the final result at Kollen Park was kept a priority.

Ensured the protection of Lake Macatawa speciesEnsured the protection of Lake Macatawa species Cleaned up the shorelineCleaned up the shoreline Planted native species of trees and plants Planted native species of trees and plants Provided safe fishing optionsProvided safe fishing options Used recycled materials where possibleUsed recycled materials where possible

Wood from Wood from vinegar storage vinegar storage

tanks, circa tanks, circa 1920, was 1920, was utilized to utilized to

construct the construct the Heinz Heinz

Waterfront Waterfront Walkway tunnel Walkway tunnel entrance from entrance from

Kollen Park, the Kollen Park, the monument wall monument wall

and the half and the half circle wall at the circle wall at the

1616thth Street Street entrance. entrance.

Wood from pickle Wood from pickle fermentation tanks, circa fermentation tanks, circa

1925, was used to 1925, was used to construct the Heinz construct the Heinz

perimeter fence along the perimeter fence along the Walkway and other Walkway and other perimeter areas. perimeter areas.

City of HollandCity of HollandHeinz Waterfront WalkwayHeinz Waterfront Walkway

Kollen Park Launch Ramp and Kollen Park Launch Ramp and BoulevardBoulevard

Dedication CeremonyDedication Ceremony

October 11, 2008October 11, 2008

Ribbon Cutting

Thank YouThank YouH. J. Heinz Company!H. J. Heinz Company!

In 1896, representatives from the H.J. Heinz Company committed

to building a pickle factory in Holland if local farmers would pledge

300 acres of cucumbers to Heinz and if the City of Holland would

donate a building site with water shipping access and a rail siding.

The City of Holland donated two acres to Heinz 111 years ago to

build a pickle factory. Today, Heinz is honored to be able to give

back to the City of Holland and its citizens, access to more than

1,800 feet of Lake Macatawa shoreline via the Heinz Walkway.

Future PlansFuture Plans

Gazebo near the new boat launching area Gazebo near the new boat launching area Picnic area near the boat launchPicnic area near the boat launch Permanent concessions – hot dogs, ice cream, Permanent concessions – hot dogs, ice cream,

noveltiesnovelties New recreational opportunitiesNew recreational opportunities

Sand VolleyballSand Volleyball Impromptu Impromptu