The Flat Iron Lake Nature Preserve is in Kent County's Oakfield Township, approximately 30 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. It is primarily a Calvin University research facility, but is also home to the Lake House and Prairie House, which are available for rent during the academic year for events and retreats.
Preserve
The Flat Iron Lake Nature Preserve is in Kent County's Oakfield Township, approximately 30 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. The nature preserve was the idea of Fritz and Carol Rottman, who owned much of the property surrounding Flat Iron Lake and wished to see the land preserved for green space and scientific study. The project was completed in Fall 2009 with the donation of the final pieces of property, and the creation of an endowment to support the preserve’s long-term maintenance.
This 68 acre preserve includes:
- 25 acre kettle lake
- 13 acre deciduous forest with vernal pools
- 18 acre created prairie
- Lake House & Prairie House used for Calvin University retreat center (details below)
While the preserve is not open to the general public, tour groups can be arranged with advance notice. Contact preserve@calvin.edu with questions or reservation requests.
The Flat Iron Lake Preserve is managed by the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens. Interested in learning more? Find out what it's like to live next to the prairie by reading Carol Rottman's blog and book All Creation Sings.
Prairie House
11300 Hart Street | Sleeps 13-15
Layout and Amenities
- Bedroom 1 - queen bed + twin bed
- Bedroom 2 - two twin bunk/trundle beds (sleeps 6, take note of instructions in room for using both trundles at the same time.)
- Bedroom 3 - one twin, one bunk/trundle (sleep 4)
- Bedroom 4 - queen bed + one trundle
- Main floor living area
- Fully equipped kitchen
- 3 ½ full baths- 1 master suite, 1 upstairs, 1 downstairs, ½ bath on main
- 2 Main floor dining areas + kitchen counter seating; extra chairs in garage
- 3 season porch
- Deck with grill, seating (table with 4 chairs), extra lawn chairs, extra propane tank in garage
- Lower-level meeting space with large table, AV cart – TV, webcam, HDMI cable, whiteboard
Pricing and Reservations
Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis, and must be made at least 15 days before the event. To rent the facilities, contact preserve@calvin.edu. Questions regarding the facility or making a reservation can be directed to Katrina De Man, Department Coordinator at the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens, at katrina.deman@calvin.edu or (616) 526-7600.
Calvin Community (faculty/staff or with students/club) fee:
- Day use/$50 (8 hours)
- Overnight/$200 (total)
- request fund transfer
Personal Calvin employee fee for family use:
- $200 Cleaning fee
- Day use/$125 (8 hours)
- Overnight/$200 (1st night, $100 each additional night)
- Bring a check to the Bunker Interpretive Center, address to Calvin University
Public rentals:
- $200 Cleaning fee
- Half Day (4 hours or less) $300
- Full day (more than 4 to 24 hours) $450
- Bring a check to the Bunker Interpretive Center, address to Calvin University
- Overnight (non-university) rentals will be charged according to the total of half- and full-day time blocks spent at the house. For example, use of the house from noon one day to noon the next would be billed for 1-day use, whereas use of the house from noon one day to 4 p.m. the next day would be billed for 1.5-day use.
- Christian Reformed churches and other related agencies receive a 50% discount on the rental fee.
Lake House
11570 Hart Street | Sleeps 10-12
Layout and Amenities
No bedding or linens are provided; bring your own sheets, pillows, sleeping bags, and bath towels.
- Bedroom 1 - full size bed
- Bedroom 2 - queen size bed, twin bunk bed
- Bedroom 3 - two twin bunk bed
- Sleeper couch in basement
- Two main floor living areas (The great room with fireplace can fit up to 25 people. In addition, the smaller living room and laboratory areas can fit 10-15 people each and are great for small group activities.)
- Fully equipped kitchen
- 3 full baths - 2 upstairs, 1 downstairs
- Gas log fireplace
- Large deck with furniture (table, 8 chairs) & grill; extra propane tank in garage
- Firepit (Bring your own wood. Fires must be attended to and completely extinguished after use.)
- Tech: screen & projector, whiteboard
- Dock with access to the lake for fishing or relaxing by the water.
- Canoes, kayaks, personal floatation devices (The pontoon boat at the dock is not available for use.)
Pricing
Calvin Community (faculty/staff or with students/club) fee:
- Day use/$50 (8 hours)
- Overnight/$100 (total)
- request fund transfer
Personal Calvin employee fee for family use:
- $100 Cleaning fee
- Day use/$75 (8 hours)
- Overnight/$100 (1st night, $50 each additional night)
Public use:
- $100 Cleaning fee
- Half Day (4 hours or less) $150
- Full day (more than 4 to 24 hours) $250
- Overnight (non-university) rentals will be charged according to the total of half- and full-day time blocks spent at the house. For example, use of the house from noon one day to noon the next would be billed for 1-day use, whereas use of the house from noon one day to 4 p.m. the next day would be billed for 1.5-day use.
- Christian Reformed churches and other related agencies receive a 50% discount on the rental fee.
Map of Preserve, Houses, and Walking Trails
