Welcome to the electronic newsletter from
Grand Haven Charter Township!

Stay informed on what is happening in the township. This newsletter will deliver up-to-date information including upcoming meetings, development news, township services and more!

You can always find more information on our website or Facebook .
Schmidt Heritage Park
The Township approved a real property donation agreement for the proposed Schmidt Heritage Park.

The land is located between Lincoln Street and Ferris Street, across from the entrance to Hofma Park and Preserve, and is a former family farm owned by James Schmidt.

The Township’s Parks and Recreation Committee worked with a planning consultant (i.e., Nederveld) to develop the vision for the property. Many of the amenities were based on the Hofma vision project completed in 2017. The proposed recreational amenities include: two (2) youth baseball diamonds, two (2) softball diamonds, two (2) baseball diamonds, three (3) youth soccer fields, four (4) multi-purpose sports fields, twelve (12) pickleball courts, and the 1.6 mile JoJo jogging trail.

In addition to the sports facilities, the Schmidt Heritage Park will include three (3) restroom facilities and eight (8) pavilions that can be used by sports teams. Parking is provided to accommodate about 516 vehicles so that multiple sporting events or practices can occur simultaneously.

A future phase would include renovating the existing barn to allow the structure to be used as a venue for family reunions, high school graduations, wedding receptions or other celebratory events.
               
This will be a “day-time” only park facility and will be closed and gated each night. 
Grand Haven Charter Township Population Growth Continues
The 2018 population estimates for townships, cities, and villages were released by the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Although all of the townships, cities, and villages in Ottawa County continued to grow in population between 2010 and 2018, Grand Haven Charter Township had the fourth highest↑ overall growth rate — increasing by about 15.6%

Further, the Township experienced the largest population growth rate between 2017 and 2018 with about a 3.9% increase. Current estimates place the Township's population above↑ 17,000 . The population growth is found in single family homes, apartments and, recently, senior housing.
 
Overall, Ottawa County is the fastest growing county in the State and ranks eighth in terms of total population. The fact that Ottawa County leads Michigan's population growth is yet another indicator of the quality of life enjoyed: bountiful natural resources and parks, strong employment base with innovative businesses, great K-12 and higher educational opportunities, low crime and access to health care.
Acquario Salon – Chamber Business Recognition Luncheon
On June 19 th , the Township will be recognizing Acquario Salon, as the Township’s business nominee, at the annual Business Award Recognition luncheon hosted by the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg Chamber of Commerce
 
Acquario Salon is located in the Ferlin Center, south of Ferris Street along US-31, and will be celebrating their sixth year in business. The salon is an Aveda Concept Salon that provides amazing hair, skin and nail services to their clients. Acquario Salon was nominated for this honor because the salon’s owner, Corey Vliem, and her staff place a strong value on education, customer service, environmental efforts, and giving back to the community. 
 
Please help us in congratulating Acquario Salon on their success and continue to support all of our local area businesses.
Jack Nicklaus Re-design of Grand Haven Golf Course
The Grand Haven Golf Club is working with Jack Nicklaus to redesign the course with the intention to revert the land back to a more natural state. Per a recent press release, Nicklaus is quoted:

The property is basically sand underneath. It had magnificent trees that had grown up over time, but is that really what this golf course is or should be with the dunes off the lake? What we are trying to do is create a golf course that will open up that feeling of coming off Lake Michigan, having the dunes, and then incorporating that into some of the inland areas that have the beautiful trees. The combination of the two — being able to play through and around exposed dunes as well as tree-lined holes in some places — really creates a golf course that is rather unique .”

Soil that was intended to allow manicured golf-quality grass to grow is being removed. The remainder will be native sandy soils that drain stormwater more efficiently.  
 
The approved special land use application will construct five new ponds, enlarge one pond, and relocate another pond.
 
About 125 residents attended the public hearing with most voicing support of having a world-famous golfer re-design the course.
 
The only concerns raised were with regard to drainage, and the Water Resources Commissioner was able to assure everyone the new ponds will improve the “wetness” in that area.
 
NOWS BLP Rebate:
The North Ottawa Water System (NOWS) received a total rebate of $20,000 from the Board of Light and Power for two energy saving projects. The first project was LED lighting upgrades while the second project was installing Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) on water pumps.

The payback for the projects is anticipated to be under five years. 
(616) 842-5988   | info@ght.org | www.ght.org