From Lakeshore Dunes to Downtown Parks: County Leaders Explore Recreation in Van Buren County

What do a future kayak launch, a campground on Lake Michigan, a downtown gathering space, and an accessible dune boardwalk all have in common?

They’re all part of what makes Van Buren County a great place to live, play, and explore.
 
On June 30, members of the Van Buren County Parks & Recreation Commission, County Commissioners, and County staff traded the meeting room for hiking shoes, spending the morning visiting parks and recreation sites across the county. The tour wasn’t about making decisions. It was about seeing firsthand how communities are investing in outdoor spaces and discovering how the County can help support those efforts.
 
The day began at Courtyard Park in downtown Paw Paw, where discussion focused on the supporting the park as a community gathering place. Ideas ranged from improving spaces for festivals and the farmers market to creating new opportunities for year-round activities and strengthening partnerships that bring people together.
 
In Lawrence, local leaders shared plans that are already taking shape, including new pickleball courts, a future redesigned playground, and other improvements that will make the park an even more welcoming destination for families.
 
Hartford highlighted two exciting projects. At Ely Park, we learned about the new playground, expanded parking, and plans to enhance the park’s pavilion and event space. Just down the road, the future Hartford Kayak Launch showcased a different kind of recreation, one that will connect residents and visitors to the Paw Paw River Water Trail while protecting the area’s unique natural resources.
 
The tour continued at Covert Park Beach & Campground, where local leaders discussed recent campground improvements, new facilities, and the successful partnership that keeps one of the county’s premier Lake Michigan destinations thriving.
 
The final stop brought the group to Porter Legacy Dunes, where an accessible boardwalk winds through a protected dune landscape to a breathtaking overlook of Lake Michigan. The site stands as an example of what can happen when conservation organizations and local governments work together to preserve natural spaces while making them accessible for everyone to enjoy. 
 
While each community showcased something different, a common theme emerged throughout the day: great parks don’t happen by accident. They are built through collaboration, thoughtful planning, and a shared commitment to creating places where people can gather, stay active, and connect with nature.
 
Whether it’s a child enjoying a new playground, a family launching a kayak for the first time, campers spending a weekend on the lakeshore, or someone experiencing an accessible trail overlooking Lake Michigan, these projects represent investments that improve quality of life throughout Van Buren County.
 
As the we, with our communities and residents, work together visits like these help ensure that local voices, successful partnerships, and community priorities remain at the center of future recreation planning.