A grassroots effort is underway to improve the safety along Ottawa Beach Road, the only entrance to Holland State Park. Both residents and visitors alike are calling for a speed limit reduction from the current 45 mph to a slower 35 mph between 160th Avenue and 168th Avenue.
An online petition has been created by B. Nordyk to gather signatures of other residents and visitors who favor the change. You can view the page here.
The petition has about 698 signatures and counting.
The Reasons Behind the Proposed Speed Reduction
The Park Township September 2024 Master Plan already has tied risks to the road as commercial and residential growth has occurred. It recommends that a speed limit reduction be made to Ottawa Beach Road as a way to ensure driver/pedestrian safety as the traffic is assured to become busier.
Many of us are probably familiar with the “Road Diet,” when Ottawa Beach Road underwent construction in order to provide for a lane reduction between 144th and 160th Avenue. This was mainly meant to address speeding and the in-and-out traffic from the state park. But it did not cover 160th to 168th Street, the concerned areas in need of a speed reduction.
This Beach Town is Meant for Walking
This proposal comes in response to previous and current concerns over safety, especially for pedestrians. As many of us know, the beach area is meant to be navigated on foot. It’s a place where we can bike, walk, run, jog, scooter, and occasionally moped.
There are essentially nine pedestrian crosswalks between 160th Avenue and Holland State Park.
The two-mile stretch includes 74 entry points – from streets, businesses, private residential driveways, parking lots, marinas, and boat launches. This means there is a lot of traffic merging onto the main road.
In the past, residents have been wary of Wakazoo Drive, whereas turning onto the main road has become a hotspot for accidents. Not to mention, sometimes it’s just hard to see from there.
Those of us who travel to the beach for a camping experience, hauling in large trailers and RVs, are prone to slower turns. Turning onto a brisk 45 mph road with a heavy load is not easy.
And, those of us who haul boats understand the same struggle.
And, those of us eager to reach the beach after a long drive don’t want to deal with the hassle of traffic so we flirt around with the 45 mph speed limit, with music blaring and the windows rolled down.
What a Speed Reduction Will Do
If you’ve ever driven to Holland State Park, you’re probably familiar with the speed changes from 45 mph to 35 mph somewhere along the way. There’s a confusion with this as many of us do not anticipate the sudden change.
If the speed were to be reduced to 35 mph, then there will be a consistency for the entirety of the route.
Supporters believe, according to the petition, that the change will not only reduce accidents, but also make the corridor much more welcoming and safe for those of us who navigate the beach town on foot.
If you’re passionate about this cause, add your signature to the petition. It’s free to sign.
Sierra Ozolins is a West Michigan native, currently a student at Hope College. As an athlete, she is passionate about fitness—from running to weightlifting. With a interest for politics and lifestyle, she is intrigued how local culture, community, and everyday events shape the world around her—often with an iced coffee in hand and her dog by her side.
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