Drift around the pond on the paddle boat, lie in one of the hammocks with a good book, or sit on the porch swing sipping ice tea and nibbling on fresh cookiess. Feeling more energetic? Explore the 25 acre property on foot or cross country skis (weather dependent), play croquet, horse shoes or badminton, or go fishing in the pond. You could also bike on nearby 7000 acres of state land, borrowing your host’s bikes if you like, exploring the country roads. Go for a swim in the pond when you get back, or just bask in the sun on the beach area. Horseback riding is available, for a fee. At night, you can build a fire on the beach and roast marshmallows. Look for constellations--its dark enough to see a million stars.
An abundance of wildlife enjoys the woods and wetlands At Willow Pond. White tail deer regularly cross the property, coming to drink at the pond, eat off the apple trees and steal grass from the horse pastures. We enjoy dozens of species of birds, but take special delight in watching the hummingbirds that come to drink from the feeders hanging off the front and back porches, as well as sip from the abundant flower gardens. It’s the sand hill cranes that herald spring though, mating back in the wetlands, as well the calls of the red winged blackbirds. Mourning doves coo first thing in the morning, and owls hoot in the evenings. The purple martins can be found skimming the pond for bugs in the evenings and great blue herons stalk the edges for frogs. We’ve even seen a fox on the property, along with the numerous rabbits and raccoons.
The towns of Greenville, Ionia, Sheridan and Stanton offer a variety of restaurants, shops, golf courses, bike trails, theaters, summer fairs and festivals.