HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) — If you’re feeling cabin fever during the “stay home” order, there are wonderful options in West Michigan.
While being outside requires social distance and not touching railings, benches or other surfaces, thre are plenty of ways to safely get fresh air and time in nature.
Backpacker gives West Michigan high marks for walking, biking and hiking trails in our area.
That website as well as West Michigan Trails (online at wmtrails.org) are great sources, says John Morrison, West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition’s executive director.
“There’s a link on there for maps and it will take you to the West Michigan Trails Magazine website that has all kinds of trails all throughout Michigan,” he said.
Ottawa County officials are encouraging people to stay home and encouraging everyone who participate to share how they are staying occupied and healthy. People who want to share their ideas are encouraged to use social media — and alert country officials of your ideas at Facebook.com/OttawaCounty, Twitter.com/miOttawa or TikTok (@OttawaCountyMI) using #OttawStaysHome. A list of ideas and trail options, as well as the county’s Step It Up challenge, are online at MiOttawa.org/parks.
During a Wednesday appearance on “WHTC Talk of the Town,” Ashley Van Zee of the ODC Network said that the Outdoor Discovery Center in the Holland Area remains open for walks on the trails, but restrooms are closed at this time. The ODC is continuing its annual “Parks Passport” program that can be downloaded and used to challenge oneself to find new places to walk in nature.
Allegan County has a walking trail guide online, as well.
Contributed by Scott Watson.
