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Welcome to the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Website!
Located in downtown Gaylord Michigan, the Otsego County Community Center offers many recreational opportunities for area residents and visitors.
CAMPING
The Otsego Lake County Park is a modern campground with 80 sites located on the West side of Otsego Lake.
DAY USE
Otsego Lake County Park - Features include a playground, beach area, buoyed swim area and 2 pavilions on the beach available for rent.
Irontone Springs - a roadside park which offers a pavilion, picnic tables and grills.
Wah Wah Soo - Located on the east side of Otsego Lake features include a buoyed swim area, picnic tables and grills.
Libke Fields - A multi-purpose facility located west on Van Tyle Road. Activities include softball, flag football and soccer.
Future Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve
The future Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve at Echo Valley Ranch will consist of almost 800 acres of property located in Johannesburg, Michigan. The property contains Kujawa and Johannesburg Lakes, along with being the former home to both the Johannesburg Manufacturing Company as well as Echo Valley Resort.
The intent of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Commission is to establish the Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve. There will eventually be environmental/nature classes given at the nature preserve, along with cross country skiing, hiking and horseback riding along the property’s many trails. In addition, tentative plans are to restore the historic sawmill, along with associated buildings, and to help educate people about this important part of Johannesburg history.
The first 764 acres were transferred to Otsego County for the first phase of the Nature Preserve. This first phase, which will be limited activities such as hiking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing is expected to be open to the public beginning in the summer of 2012. The entrance is planned to be located at the corner of Waters & Gingell Roads at the northeast corner of the property. The remaining property, which will allow for increased activities, will be transferred at a later date.
Mr. Groen’s deep commitment to the property during his stewardship and the continuation thereof through the Louis M. Groen Nature preserve emanates out of Mr. Groen’s love and respect for nature, animals, and the outdoors. By making these arrangements for the care, custody and maintenance of the property, Mr. Groen is hopeful that generations of citizens of Otsego County will have the opportunity to enjoy, appreciate and respect these aspects of our community.
Otsego County, through the members of its Groen Visioning Committee, have begun working on long-range planning for the future Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve. Though the property remains in private ownership, the Committee has been established to create a plan for the property in anticipation of the future conveyance of the property as a public asset.
Click to read more about Mr. Louis M. Groen.
Minutes
Click to see minutes from the Groen Visioning Committee meetings.
Historic Recollections Needed
If you have recollections concerning this property and the area,
please email Matt Nowak at chartwp(at)hotmail(dot)com or call at 989-786-5518.
Contact Information
- Mike Tarbutton, Director
- Arnie Quay, Parks & Recreation Coordinator
- Keri Swantek, Office Manager
- Otsego County Community Center (989) 732-6521
- Otsego Lake County Park (989) 731-6448
- Mailing Address: 225 West Main. Gaylord. MI 49735
- Website: www.otsegocountyparksrec.com
