Parking payment at Ottawa County parks is different this year

PARK TWP. — Paid parking resumes at the seven Ottawa County beaches this Memorial Day weekend, but the tangible parking stickers the county previously used are no more.

“It is a big change. In the past we had stickers that went on the windshield or hang tags,” Jason Boerger with the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission told WOOD TV-8.

This year, annual and one-day passes will be digital, with users linking the permit to their vehicle’s license plate number.

“We’ve added some greater convenience, we believe, in that these permits can now be either purchased online or at the fee machine here at the park,” Boerger said.

Permit parking stations can be found throughout the lots of North Beach Park, Olive Shores, Kirk Park, Rosy Mound Natural Area, Tunnel Park, Kouw Park, Windsnest Park and Riverside Park boat launch-only area.

Port Sheldon Township entered into a management agreement with Ottawa County parks earlier this year, which means paid parking is now required at Kouw and Windsnest parks.

“That is the reason Port Sheldon Township decided to offer the extra discounts to their residents, to kind of soften the fact that the permit is going to be required there,” Boerger said.

Those who qualify for additional discounts due to age, residency or other factors must register for their permit online to get the discounted rate.

“The permit for an Ottawa County resident is $15 and a nonresident is $25 for the year,” Boerger said.

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Paid seasonal parking raises nearly half a million dollars for the county each year. That money goes toward the general maintenance of the beachfront and parks buildings and utilities.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Parking payment at Ottawa County parks is different this year