Holland residents don't just wear wooden shoes. Depending on the season, they also pull on snowshoes, skis, hiking boots, fishing waders, running shoes, biking shoes, basketball shoes, tennis shoes, bowling shoes …

The Holland area offers year 'round recreational opportunities for the whole family. At the top of the summer pastimes are water sports. One of the Great Lakes' most popular recreational ports, Lake Macatawa's protected marinas offer services for both powerboats and sailboats. Boaters have a choice of the protected environment of the inland lake or they can head out to the expansive waters of Lake Michigan.

The area's sport has produced legions of anglers with world-class fish stories featuring a cast of characters that includes coho and king salmon, steelhead, lake trout, brown trout and perch. You can dip your line from shore, the Lake Michigan pier or your boat. You can also employ the services of the area's many charter boat captains.

Holland State Park is one of Michigan's most popular state parks, annually attracting more than 1.7 million visitors from throughout the state, nation and beyond. With frontage on both Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, the park offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and fishing.

Another beautiful spot on Lake Michigan, just south of Holland, is Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The 1,004-acre day-use park features coastal dunes, picnic areas, hiking and cross-country ski trails.

Fun in the water doesn't end with summer. Holland's 65,000-square-foot Community Aquatic Center features a 50-meter competition pool, children's play area, therapy pool, instruction pool and fitness center. Designed by the firm that designed pools for the Olympic games in Atlanta and Barcelona, the aquatic center's pools also feature seating for up to 1,000 spectators.

Holland's Sports and Recreation Complex is another center for fun. The complex includes four softball diamonds, two soccer fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts and picnic shelters.

The Holland Civic Center hosts athletic, cultural and recreational events sponsored by the city, local schools and community organizations. The Civic Center is especially busy with concerts and performances during the Tulip Time festival.

The City of Holland's Leisure & Cultural Services Department maintains 20 individual parks and recreation sites, comprising about 380 acres of public land. Offerings range from Van Raalte Farm, which features bird-watching, hiking, cross-country skiing and sledding, to Lincoln Park, home of the city's skateboard and inline skating park.

Nestled into the Holland area's rolling, dune-based landscape are a dozen public and private golf courses. Whether you're a duffer or a pro, you'll find the local courses as challenging as they are picturesque.

Outdoor recreation in Holland is just as fun in winter. The area's snowfall and many woodland trails are just right for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. A two-hour drive takes you to the Crystal Mountain ski area, with 34 downhill runs and more than 40 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails.

The City of Holland, Holland Charter Township and Park Township all have recreation departments offering athletic programs in golf, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, youth soccer, T-ball, basketball, shuffleboard, softball, touch football, volleyball and fitness. Educational classes in ecology and pioneer history are also offered. Holland administers a special therapeutic recreation program that helps people of all ages and abilities develop life skills needed to interact in social settings.

Holland's Evergreen Commons Senior Center provides area residents 55 and older with services ranging from leisure enrichment programs to adult day care. Equipped with a swimming pool, wood shop, fitness room and rehabilitation center, activities at the facility include exercise classes, art, swimming, dancing and singing.

Whatever your favorite recreational activity, the shoe fits in Holland.