Zeeland honors longest-serving mayor with dedication of Hoogland Plaza

Les Hoogland understood that community and democracy begin with individual commitment — and for more than three decades, he set an example through tireless volunteer work and public service. That legacy has been permanently honored with the naming of Hoogland Plaza in downtown Zeeland.

On Aug. 5, the city dedicated the corner of Main Avenue and Elm Street — formerly Heritage Square — in memory of Hoogland, Zeeland’s longest-serving mayor, who died Aug. 8, 2024, at age 94. The ceremony took place during National Night Out, just steps from a splash pad where families gathered for music, games, and food trucks.

Hoogland served on the Zeeland City Council from 1982 to 1990 and as mayor from 1990 until his retirement in 2012. Over those three decades, he pursued initiatives that knit together Zeeland’s social, economic, and cultural life — from attracting industrial employers to revitalizing downtown and promoting community events.

Advocate for downtown

Mayor Kevin Klynstra says the plaza’s location reflects Hoogland’s belief that a strong downtown can anchor the entire community.

“Where Main and Elm come together — a perfect site for outdoor events and community gatherings — may it serve as a lasting tribute, not just to Les’s many years of service, but to the spirit, to the community he so deeply believed in,” Klynstra says.

Hoogland, he says, built lasting relationships with business leaders, convincing some to locate or expand in Zeeland. He visited industrial parks, attended ribbon cuttings, and worked to attract shops and restaurants downtown.

“One business owner told me that because of Les, that’s why he was here,” Klynstra says. “If you needed funding for a project, Les was the person to ask. And he didn’t just focus on industry — he loved our downtown and worked to make it a destination for everyone.”

Mayor Pro Tem Sally Gruppen, who served alongside Hoogland for more than 22 years, says his leadership relied on mobilizing residents as partners in community improvement.

“Les was a typical Zeelander who not only loved this community but accepted nothing but the best, and grew that idea into each and every one of us,” Gruppen says. “He was probably the world’s best volunteer. Even after his time as mayor, he was the best fundraiser for the Historical Society and other causes. His legacy is one of caring, sharing, and great pride in this city — something planted in all of us to carry forward.”

‘Les found a way’

Todd Hoogland, speaking for the family — including younger siblings Julie Taylor, Greg Hoogland, and Jane Jipping — says the plaza’s location, designed for public use and interaction, is exactly what his father would have wanted.

“Dad strove with all his heart to make Zeeland a vibrant, prosperous, and safe community for all walks of life,” he says. “This honor means the world to us, especially here in the heart of the city he loved.”

Lexi Willison, representing U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, presented a Congressional Record tribute documenting Hoogland’s life and service, noting his influence as a mentor and friend.

The event concluded with the unveiling of the Hoogland Plaza sign, as the mayor’s four children drew back the cover to reveal a plaque bearing Hoogland’s bronze likeness—a lasting tribute to a man whose volunteer spirit and commitment to democratic ideals helped shape Zeeland for generations.

“If you needed something done, Les found a way,” Klynstra says. “And he never asked for the credit — only that it made Zeeland better.”