Parks Commission & Parks Staff

Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission

The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission was created in 1987 to oversee the management and operation of the county parks system. The Commission is dedicated to providing Ottawa County residents and visitors with park facilities as well as recreational and educational opportunities that enhance the quality and enjoyment of their lives.

Mark A Oppenhuizen - President
Ted Bosgraaf - Vice President
Philip Kuyers - Secretary
Russell V. Brown, Jr.
Betty Gajewski
Paul Geerlings
Roger E. Jonas
Joyce Kortman
Bobbi Jones Sabine
Crystal M. Unema

Ottawa County Parks Staff

Fillmore Street Complex Office Staff

John Scholtz - Parks and Recreation Manager
John has served as Parks and Recreation Manager since shortly after the Parks and Recreation Commission was formed in 1987. He received his Masters Degree in Parks and Recreation Resources from Michigan State University and spent six years as the director of Saginaw County Parks prior to coming to Ottawa County. Scholtz was born and raised in the Grand Haven area.

Chip Francke - Naturalist/Information Specialist
Chip started with Ottawa County in 1998 and is responsible for interpretive programs, assisting in park management and editing the Outdoors Ottawa County newsletter. Chip has a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Western Michigan University, a Masters Degree in Entomology from Michigan State University and has worked as a naturalist since 1975.

Curtis TerHaar - Coordinator of Park Planning & Development
Curt is a landscape architect and land planner with over 17 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of recreation and other outdoor public use areas. He started with the Ottawa County Parks system in 2005 after working at private design firms in West Michigan and most recently at his own landscape architecture design company. Curt was born and raised in Grand Haven and has a degree in Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University.

Jonathan Nagel - Park Planner
Jonathan graduated from Michigan State University 1987 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree and is a registered landscape architect.  He is involved in the planning and development of a variety of park projects. Jonathan previously worked with consulting firms in the Grand Rapids area. He started with Ottawa County Parks in 2000.

Diane Huhn - Parks Secretary
Diane is likely to be the first voice you will hear when you call the county parks office. She began working for Ottawa County in 1988 and has been with Parks since 1999.

Park Operations Center Staff

Dave Mazurek - Superintendent of Park Operations
Dave has a Bachelors of Science degree in Parks and Recreation from Michigan State University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. He has 20 years of experience in the parks field and has been with Ottawa County Parks since 1988.

Scott Stinebower - Parks Manager
Scott started working part-time on the Parks staff in 2003 and was promoted to manager in 2005. Scott has a Bachelors Degree in Community Recreation from the University of Hawaii and a Masters Degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Central Michigan University.

Anne Engvall - Parks Supervisor
Anne was hired by Ottawa County Parks in 2005 after working more than 14 years with the City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department. Anne supervises Grose, Riverside and Deer Creek Parks as well as the Musketawa Trail, Crockery Creek, North Ottawa Dunes and several other properties.

Jeff Poel - Parks Supervisor
Jeff has been responsible for performing repairs, working on projects and making improvements in the parks for more than 5 years. He also maintains the vehicles and equipment. Jeff has a background in the nursery business and has a degree in Environmental Science from Grand Valley State University.

Bob Reichel - Parks Supervisor
Bob supervises the lakeshore parks which include North Beach Park, Kirk Park, Tunnel Park, Rosy Mound Natural Area and Park 12. He has been with Ottawa County Parks since 1995 and comes from Los Angeles, California by way of Mankato, Minnesota. He has a degree in Park Administration from Mankato State University.

Leif VanHorssen - Parks Supervisor
Leif is from Grand Haven and was hired by Ottawa County Parks in 1998. He supervises Pigeon Creek Park, Hemlock Crossing/Pine Bend, the Upper Macatawa Conservation Area and many Open Space Lands. Leif has a degree in Sociology from Grand Valley State University and worked as a seasonal park employee for several years before becoming full time.

Collin Zackrison - Parks Supervisor
Collin hails from Hutchinson, Minnesota. He came to Ottawa County in 1991 and is responsible for supervising Hager Park, Grand River Park and Spring Grove Park. Collin has a degree in Park Administration from Mankato State University.