Recreation Facilities Open Space & Greenway Plan

Recreation Facilities Open Space & Greenway Plan 2020-2024 Update

Draft to be approved by the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners

Muskegon County Plan: 2020-2024

Board of Commissioners Susie Hughes, Board Chair, District 3 Gary Foster, Vice Chair, District 7 Rillastine R. Wilkins, District 1 Marcia Hovey-Wright, District 2 Robert Scolnik, District 4 Zach Lahring, District 5 Charles Nash, District 6 I. John Snider, District 8 Kenneth Mahoney, District 9

Photo Credits

Commissioner Susie Hughes Adam Alexander Tim Reilly Visit Muskegon Brandon Bartoszek Brenda Moore

Planning Team

Robert Lukens Carly Hines Jeff Hiddema Jeff Winters Caitlin Ward

Table of Contents

I. Community Description…………………………………………………………………………………. 1

II. County Parks and Recreational Facility Administration Structure.…………………… 5

III. Recreational Facilities………………………………………………………………………………….... 9

IV. Description of Planning and Public Input Process…………………………………………… 37

V. Goals and Objectives……………………………………………………………………………………… 40

VI. Action Plan……………………………………………………………………..…………………………...... 43

Maps

Major Non-motorized Trails……..……………………………………………………………………………. 2

Muskegon County Water Bodies ……………………………………….…………………………………… 3

Attachments

A – Local Municipality Recreation Plan Links

Muskegon County Draft Plan: 2020-2024

Chapter 1 Community Description

1.1 Jurisdiction and Extent of Plan Focus

This Recreation Plan addresses County of Muskegon owned parks and recreational facilities located throughout the county. Muskegon County contains sixteen townships, four villages, and seven cities which cumulatively represent about 173,500 people.

This plan will identify existing recreational facilities, discuss Muskegon County’s socio- economic status, and identify opportunities for future improvements of Muskegon County parks and recreational facilities. It will also discuss countywide and regional recreational efforts and opportunities in non-County owned jurisdictions.

Muskegon County Draft Plan: 2020-2024

1.2 Location and History

Muskegon County is located on the west side of Michigan, with the County's western border on the shores of Lake Michigan. Lakes with navigable channels to Lake Michigan are Muskegon Lake and in the northern portion of the County, White Lake. Muskegon County is easily reached from the East by I-96 and from the South and North by U.S. 31. Grand Rapids, MI is approximately 40 miles to the south east, Grand Haven, MI is approximately 10 miles to the south, and Ludington, MI is approximately 50 miles to the north. The Lake Express Ferry connects Milwaukee to Muskegon during the months of May thru October.

Muskegon County has a very rich history. The name "Muskegon" is derived from the Ottawa Indian term "Masquigon" meaning "marshy river" or "swamp." The "Masquigon" river is acknowledged on French maps from the late seventeenth century.

Beginning as a subdivision of Ottawa County, Muskegon was settled in the late 1830’s. Muskegon County itself was established in 1859. When established, the county included six townships; Muskegon, Norton, Ravenna, White River, Dalton, and Oceana, and began with a population of 3,947.

One thing Muskegon County is best known for is its leading force during the lumber era in the mid to lat