Future Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve
The future Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve at Echo Valley Ranch will consist of almost 800 acres of property located in Johannesburg, Michigan. The property contains Kujawa and Johannesburg Lakes, along with being the former home to both the Johannesburg Manufacturing Company as well as Echo Valley Resort.
The property will be transferred to the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Commission in stages upon the passing of Louis M. Groen and Edna Groen, the current owners of the property.
The intent of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Commission is to establish the Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve. There will eventually be environmental/nature classes given at the nature preserve, along with cross country skiing, hiking and horseback riding along the property’s many trails. In addition, tentative plans are to restore the historic sawmill, along with associated buildings, and to help educate people about this important part of Johannesburg history.
Mr. Groen’s deep commitment to the property during his stewardship and the continuation thereof through the Louis M. Groen Nature preserve emanates out of Mr. Groen’s love and respect for nature, animals, and the outdoors. By making these arrangements for the care, custody and maintenance of the property, Mr. Groen is hopeful that generations of citizens of Otsego County will have the opportunity to enjoy, appreciate and respect these aspects of our community.
Otsego County, through the members of its Groen Visioning Committee, have begun working on long-range planning for the future Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve. Though the property remains in private ownership, the Committee has been established to create a plan for the property in anticipation of the future conveyance of the property as a public asset.
Click to read more about Mr. Louis M. Groen.
Minutes
Click to see minutes from the Groen Visioning Committee meetings.
Historic Recollections Needed
If you have recollections concerning this property and the area,
please email Matt Nowak at chartwp@hotmail.com or call at 989-786-5518.
Property Photographs
Click to see current property photographs.
Click below to see an aerial photograph of the Groen property.
