GRAND HAVEN, MI — Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) will celebrate the official opening of a new playscape and outdoor learning spaces at Duneside Discovery Center at Mary A. White with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 1, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., at 1400 Wisconsin Ave., Grand Haven, MI. Families, neighbors, and community members are invited to attend and experience the new outdoor spaces.
In partnership with GHAPS, ODC Network (ODC), a West Michigan nonprofit dedicated to advancing outdoor education and conservation, designed and built the center’s nature-based learning environments and surrounding habitat restoration. The spaces—including two playscape areas, 15 outdoor learning environments, sensory areas, two shade structures, an integrated trail system, and native prairie restoration—were made possible through the generosity of donors, foundations, and grant partners who invested in reimagining the campus as a place where nature exploration is part of every school day.
“We know young children learn best through movement, unstructured play, and hands-on discovery, and the outdoor environment plays a critical role in their development,” said Travis Williams, CEO of ODC Network. “When children have daily opportunities to climb, dig, build, and explore nature, they are doing some of the most important learning of their lives.”
Research shows that by age five, a child’s brain has reached roughly 90% of its adult size, and the experiences children have during their early years help shape how they think, regulate emotion, and relate to the world around them. Time outdoors has been shown to support critical skills related to attention, curiosity, physical health, and social-emotional growth in young learners.
“Duneside represents an important investment in our youngest learners, our families, and our community,” said GHAPS Superintendent Kristin Perkowski. “It is helping us meet a growing need for high-quality early childhood experiences while creating a place where children can learn, grow, and experience nature as part of their everyday learning. Our partnership with ODC Network has helped bring that vision to life, and this new playscape builds on it by giving our students even more opportunities to explore and learn outdoors while creating a space that families and the broader community can enjoy together.”
In preparation for opening, 38 Duneside staff members completed ODC Network’s Nature-Based PreK Certification, a hands-on training program covering emergent curriculum, outdoor instruction, risk-benefit play, and all-weather teaching. The certification equips educators to confidently lead high-quality, outdoor learning in a licensed early childhood setting.
As Duneside enters the 2026–2027 school year, ODC education ambassadors are working alongside the teachers and staff to deepen their nature-based practice, building on the coaching relationships established during the center’s first year. ODC will also begin working with the GHAPS kindergarten teams, extending a nature-rich learning model that allows students to benefit from this style of learning as they grow.
Duneside Discovery Center serves children ages 3–5 through Young Fives, Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Early Childhood Special Education, and Preschool Development Program (PDP) classrooms, with space designed to welcome learners of all abilities. Families interested in learning more can visit www.ghaps.org/duneside.
The ribbon-cutting is free and open to the public and will begin at 4:00 p.m., with the official ceremony starting at 4:15 p.m. Students will have time to play and explore the new space, while parents and community members are invited to explore the outdoor playscape and learning areas and learn more about their new features.
About ODC Network:
ODC Network (ODC) is a registered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan. Since its founding in 2000, ODC has preserved thousands of acres of native habitat and connected more than 1.5 million people to nature through outdoor learning, hands-on programs, and a network of free trails and preserves open year-round.
With a commitment to providing meaningful outdoor learning opportunities for all ages, ODC operates five nature-based early childhood sites, partners with K–12 schools, and delivers community engagement programming throughout the region.
ODC is building a nature-rich community where people and nature thrive, creating the best place to live, work, play, and learn.
About Grand Haven Area Public Schools:
Grand Haven Area Public Schools serves students and families across the Grand Haven area, providing educational opportunities from early childhood through high school. GHAPS is committed to providing rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning experiences that prepare students for success in school and life.
The district’s Vision of Learning pairs a strong academic foundation with six Learner Traits — Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Empathy, Resilience, Communication, and Curiosity — that help students build the skills to use what they learn, work with others, and face new challenges with confidence. Through dedicated staff, strong schools, and community partnerships, GHAPS works to bring that vision to life for every student.
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