Olive Township preserves farmland while embracing natural beauty
Olive Township, located in Ottawa County, is a serene and natural area near Lake Michigan. "This is an agricultural community. We just watched corn being harvested from behind our house. The blueberries here are very prominent. [And] we have Christmas trees, they are a big deal here too," says Kit Karsten, a longtime resident of Olive Township. Although the county is experiencing growth in development and population, the township's residents and officials aim to preserve family farms through Ottawa County's Farmland Preservation Program. Agriculture, including poultry farms and large fields, leads the local economy. A Tyson's Food plant is to the east. And although the area is several miles inland, the lake is a popular attraction. "There are three reasons for people to move here. It's Lake Michigan, Lake Michigan and Lake Michigan. It's beautiful. The lake influences us. It's a place for recreation, and it helps our industries. It's pretty special," Karsten says.
A mix of newer homes and rustic farmhouses
Olive Township offers a varied streetscape, from 21st-century homes in tidy subdivisions to rustic farmhouses on roads made of clay and gravel. Many properties include barns used for workshops or livestock, as well as other outbuildings. Several residences built by developer Allen Edwin were constructed over the past few years. The Arborwood subdivision, in West Olive, has New Traditional homes. Homes in the township generally cost between $270,000 and $600,000, but properties on some of the larger lots may sell for more.
Attending West Ottawa School District and Zeeland Public Schools
Children can attend multiple school systems. Many are zoned for the West Ottawa School District, which earns an A rating on Niche. Children may attend Sheldon Woods Elementary, a B-rated school. Harbor Light Middle earns an A-minus, while West Ottawa High School Campus has an A. Some students may enroll in Zeeland Public Schools, which has an overall A rating. Families in the region can also apply for the school choice program offered by the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District.
Pigeon Creek Park draws visitors for every season
Karsten says that Pigeon Creek Park is one of the most popular parks in Ottawa County. In the warmer months, visitors can camp or hike along paths through a pine forest. During the winter, when the grounds are covered in snow, locals ski or sled on the hills and trails. The community's past is celebrated through the Olive Township Historical Society. "The Historical Society has two buildings that it maintains. One is a museum, and the other is the [Ottawa Station School]," Karsten says. "The museum has displays of elements of life from the past. There's a military room, a church room and an old-fashioned kitchen. The museum has static displays and a large library of photographs." Three Fires Golf Club maintains three separate nine-hole courses and a driving range. Kouw Park, roughly 5 miles away, provides direct access to Lake Michigan. The grounds include a popular boardwalk and swimming beach along the lakeshore.
Locals shop nearby or drive to Zeeland for groceries
Karsten says locals have access to a variety of fresh produce and farm-fresh eggs. "There are still people in town who go to big box stores. But, if they looked a mile or so from home, they'd probably find one of the local farm stands," Karsten says. However, there is a Family Fare Supermarket about 10 miles away in Zeeland. Residents are close to dining options along U.S. Highway 31, such as The Pipeline Underground Saloon and the local pizza stop, Stanton Junction Marathon.
Community traditions and the nearby Dandelion Festival
Karsten says the Ottawa Station School is open one Saturday each month for tours. "[The Olive Township Historical Society] has a community Memorial Day commemoration, and [they] also do a Christmas open house with the school decorated," Karsten says. The township also participates in the nearby Dandelion Festival, held in Borculo. The one-day event features a parade, 5K race, additional contests and a carnival.
Zeeland's hospital and the Grand Rapids airport serve residents
The area is car-dependent; drivers can take U.S. Highway 31 to reach Grand Haven in around 15 miles. The Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital, about 10 miles away, is open 24 hours a day. Gerald R. Ford International Airport, in Grand Rapids, stands approximately 30 miles from town.
The township has water concerns and a low crime score
The region has experienced groundwater shortages during times of drought. Ottawa County is responsible for inspecting residential water systems before a property is purchased. The state offers a Septic Replacement Loan Program for residents. There are also concerns about air pollution due to the coal plant in nearby Port Sheldon Township; however, the J.H. Campbell facility is scheduled to close in 2025.
The community has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, which is much lower than the national average of 4.
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Written By
Ashley Kennedy
