Annual report consisting of research, information collaboration,compilation, photography, use of multiple programs - Adobe, Microsoft products.

1. City of Holland
Department of Leisure
and Cultural Services
Annual Report 2007

2. Focus. The Department of Leisure and Cultural Services has focused our efforts in 2007
Executive Summary Nim quissenis
on creating new opportunities for the citizens of Holland to be able to further enjoy their
family and recreation time. Our staff has devoted considerable time undertaking additional
roles and responsibilities, collaborating with other organizations, planning for future park
expansion and reaching out to the community through innovative new recreation projects.
All this has been done while we grapple with challenging economic times, being asked
to do more with less. We are committed to providing a first class park system
and exceptional educational and recreation opportunities for citizens
of all ages. Our physical park system is one of Holland’s
greatest assets. We look forward to a very exciting new
year and are striving to strengthen our community.
Hopefully, this report provides a brief glimpse of
LCS’s valuable contributions. Your support
of our efforts equals a win-win benefit for
Holland.
Gray R. Gogolin
Director of Leisure and
Cultural Services

3. Civic Center Notables Civic
•• Revenues are up 24% from last year despite the fact that Hope College and Holland Christian Center
basketball have been relocated to the DeVos Fieldhouse.
•• Walkers in the Civic Center daily have grown by tenfold.
•• Events held this year at the Civic have included: Holland Blast
basketball games, Middle and High School Basketball,
Car Shows, Doll Shows, Craft Shows, Train and
Collectible Shows, Gun and Knife Show, Pow
Wow, Nykerk Cup, and Recreation Basketball,
Pickleball, Table Tennis Tournaments,
Circus, LAUP Festival, Holland City
Mission Thanksgiving Dinner
Market Interests
•• Events held in the Marketplace included:
~ Kerstmarkt and Ice Sculpting Competition
~ Taste of Holland
~ Various Parades
•• Project Fresh revenue almost tripled this year.
•• Added 20% more daily market rentals
8th •• New big hits:
~ Saturday Chef Series
Street ~ Wednesday Kids’ Programs
Marketplace ••
Diversified the market offerings to include items such as:
~ Meats
~ Candies
~ Organics

4. Windmill Island and
DeGraaf Nature Center
DeGraaf Nature Center Windmill Island
•• Collaborated with the Recreation Division to create a safe, fun, •• 10% increase in paid attendance for the season
and informative Halloween event for over 500 youth at the Van •• 15% increase in Tulip Time attendance
Raalte Farm •• Pavilion Rentals haved increased this year:
•• 1st year the Nature Center ran a sugar bush on it’s own evaporator ~ 26% increase in weddings held at Windmill
•• Created over 1000 ounces of maple syrup that was sold in the Island
Nature Center store ~ 25% increase in facility rental events such as
•• 1st year for a group expedition to Algonquin Provincial Park in company picnics, birthday parties and community
Ontario, CANADA finding moose and other forms of wildlife events

5. Parks and Cemeteries
Accomplishments
•• Columbarium opened
•• Tulip bulbs planted
~ Parks Department (403,000 in record time)
~ Windmill Island (100,000)
•• Van Raalte Farm Improvements with $60,000 grant from the Michigan Historic Trust
~ Replaced wood siding, scraped and painted
~ Rebricked the basement floor
~ Replaced rotted wood on the porches
~ Replaced the roof

6. Capital Improvements
Kollen Park
The Kollen Park Improvement Project - Phases II and III,
which will connect downtown Holland to our beautiful Lake
Van Bragt Park Macatawa waterfront, is well under way and scheduled to be
finished by October 2008.
Van Bragt Park is our northern entrance to the
City of Holland. After the improvement of Funding:
River Avenue and the bridge, Van Bragt Park is •• Great Lakes Fisheries Trust $350,000
being restored to a showcase of what the City of •• DNR Waterways Grant $650,000
Holland’s Parks Department provides. •• DNR Trust Fund Grant $500,000
•• City of Holland - CIP, Street Capital Improvement and
Improvements include: BPW Utility Funds
•• Contoured green space
•• Pedestrian walkways with views of Lake Improvements include:
Macatawa •• Increased park size by 1/3!
•• Over 35 new trees •• New boat launch with 3 lanes, floating dock system and
•• Eye-pleasing annual beds parking for 50 vehicles and trailers.
•• New waterfront walkway.

7. Recreation Division
Collaboration and Accomplishments Grants
Outreach •• Expanded Smart Start program to •• Wal-Mart $500
•• Children’s Community Garden include basketball and football.
•• Ottawa County Health
with Evergreen Commons
•• Over 6000 praticipants for Party Department - for Community
and Ottawa County Health
in the Park! Garden, wellness and nutrition
Department served 50 - 60
$1000
families in the Rosa Parks Green
neighborhood. •• Provided over $6700 in recreation •• Garden Club $500
scholarships.
•• Pilot for the NRPA Sticks
for Kids program in 2008 •• Noon Concerts in Centennial Park
providing golf opportunities for increased to 7500 participants!
underpriveledged youth.

8. Mission Statement:
We have the responsibility for the coordination and quality of all
recreational and cultural opportunities for City residents, and for
the maintenance of all associated public facilities. The overall
objective is to provide safe, functional and beautiful
facilities for the pursuit of leisure time activities and
to continue the development of such facilities
for the presentation of the natural beauty
of the City and the enjoyment of all age
groups.
Leisure and Cultural Services
Commission Members
Mae Van Ark Nancy DeBoer
Marc Van Soest Joe Silva
Robert VanderKamp Jeff Bart
Mark Tucker Raymond Smith
Carolyn Marquis Ellen Reynolds
Department of Leisure and Cultural Services
ugh
150 West 8th Street
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Holland MI 49423 g Comm d Programs!
Creatin arks an
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Phone: 616.355.1130 People,
Web: www.rec.cityofholland.com
Email: rec@cityofholland.com