Tree trimming planned for Wolters Woods Park

Parks commission chairperson thanks outgoing members.

Wolters Woods Park, 6281 147th Ave., on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.

The improvements at Wolters Woods Park continue this fall with tree trimming around the playground and pavilion at the park, 6281 147th Ave.

The Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, approved a $550 bid from HG Properties LLC of Holland to trim trees and dispose of branches.

The trimming is needed for proper clearance around the swings and other pieces of playground equipment, according to Chairperson Brad Laninga.

The park will be closed during the trimming. A workday has not yet been set.

Three companies submitted bids. The other two bids were:

  • $1,680 from AJS Groundcare of Holland
  • $1,000 from Axman Enterprises Inc. of Saugatuck.

“All three could do the work,” Laninga said.

Wolters Woods has seen several upgrades this year.

In July, Windwood Property Services LLC, spread engineered wood fiber (EWF), a type of mulch, at the playground. Workers added diamond dust to trails at the park in August and the Outdoor Discovery Center treated invasive Asian bittersweet that same month. The parking lot was repaved and remarked as well over the summer.

Commission changes

In other business, Laninga thanked outgoing commissioners Anne Brand and Karen Simmons for their service to the township. Neither sought re-election.

Brand was appointed to the commission in August 2021 to replace a commissioner who resigned.

Laninga highlighted her work on developing and compiling surveys for the 2024 master plan and her work on the recently created beach access task force.

“We will truly miss your presence here around the table,” Laninga said.

Simmons has served on the parks commission since 2004.

Laninga noted Simmons’ history in the township and her “upfront, honest approach to things.”

There are no challengers to the winners of the August Republican primary, so those on the ballot on Nov. 5 are expected to take seat on the commission. The new commission is expected to be Laninga, Tom Hoekman, Mary Jo Bertolino, Sherry Sirko and Michael Teekamp.

Bertolino is planning some parks programs over the winter at the Carriage House, 6595 138th Ave. on the Felt Estate. There would be no cost to the parks commission and the program could be monthly on Saturdays. She will have a possible schedule of events for the Nov. 20 parks commission meeting.