News

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Foundation is pleased to announce the largest grant in the history of the foundation for $90,000 from Impact100 Oakland County for the “Seeding a Green Future” program at the Kensington Farm Center at Kensington Metropark in Milford, MI. This program will provide a mentoring initiative that will engage students and teachers in sustainable agriculture, STEM education and critical thinking skills to inspire lifelong learning and success in the natural environment. 

We are excited to announce the concept design of the Shelden Trails Development Project was approved at the December 13th Board of Commissioner meeting. Presented by Jeremy Wimpey of Applied Trails Research, the proposed concept design was based on a comprehensive assessment of the current trail system along with input from stakeholder partners as well as public comment.

“Cucurbita pepo” perhaps one of the most recognizable yet one of the more misunderstood fruits of our culture. We commonly refer to them as pumpkins, and most people do little more with them than make the annual trek out to the pumpkin patch to carve and decorate them for our porches for Halloween.

With the approval of the Dexter-Huron and Delhi Metroparks Master Plan in November 2018 by the Metroparks Board of Commissioners, the Planning and Development Department is proud to announce that the three-year process for developing master plans for all 13 Metroparks is complete.

The Natural Resources Department (NRD) at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks kept busy in 2018 working to restore and protect natural areas in all 13 Metroparks. Work is conducted year-round with the help of contractors, volunteers, government and non-profit partners to protect diverse ecosystems and meet restoration goals.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks was awarded a $7,500 grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund to construct three new raptor (hawk/owl) enclosures to replace the two existing mews and offer room for an additional injured, non-releasable bird at Oakwoods Metropark Nature Center. During the month of November, volunteers from Ford Motor Company worked alongside Metroparks staff to construct the three updated, replacement mews in a newly designed space.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks was awarded a $7500 grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund to construct three new raptor (hawk/owl) enclosures to replaces the two existing mews and offer room for an additional injured, non-releasable bird at Oakwoods Metropark Nature Center.

Based on public input gathered during the Stony Creek Metropark Master Plan, the Planning Department is overseeing the consultants who will create a  conceptual design for improving the Shelden and Trolley trails.

This fall, as the weather cools off and the leaves begin to change color, the Metroparks Natural Resources Department is staying busy with multiple project.  We are continuing to remove invasive species from high-quality habitats, in preparation for our work next year.  We are also beginning to treat Phragmites, the giant invasive reed, as this plant species begins to move its energy out of the roots and into its seed head, making the roots easier to kill.  

For mountain bike riders in Southeast Michigan, one of the classic places to ride -- a favorite where many of us first learned to ride off road -- are the trails at Stony Creek Metropark. Since its inception, CRAMBA -- the Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association -- has worked hand in hand with the Metroparks to maintain and enhance these trails, keeping them fun for everyone from mountain bikers to hikers, from trail runners to families out for a stroll.

For over 35 years the Detroit River Hawk Watch has been conducted in one form or another at Lake Erie Metropark; and the boat launch in the park has been the primary site for over 20 of those years. Today, through the efforts of such organizations as the Detroit River Wildlife Refuge, the Detroit River Wildlife Refuge Alliance, the Hawk Migration Association of North America, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Huron-Clinton Metroparks the migration of raptors over the Detroit River Hawk Watch site is monitored. The information gathered is used to study the long-term trends of our raptor species; and to educate the public through programs like those presented at the annual Hawkfest celebration at the Lake Erie Metropark Marshlands Museum.

Dear Patrons: As part of our on-going water quality efforts, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks will be inspecting and assessing it’s green infrastructure at Lake St. Clair Metropark.  Specifically, the Metroparks as part of an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must conduct regular inspections and maintenance of green storm water infrastructure.  During this time, you will see work relating to maintaining, inspecting and assessing the condition of the stormwater system.  When work is complete the vegetation along the bioswales will be allowed to regrow and swales will be returned to their pre-inspection condition.  Thank you for your patience as we work through this project.

Elizabeth Shelden made an agreement with the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority in 1959 to buy her property for $377,000 upon her death, although she both sold and donated some areas of land before this time.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks is excited to announce that the Shelden Trail Development Project at Stony Creek Metropark is now underway.  The Metroparks will immediately begin the process to extend and develop the popular trail system to create a premier, natural surface, multi-use trail system. 

The Metroparks hike/bike paths provide access to beautiful scenery and often lead to fine natural vistas.  So why don’t we call these “nature” trails?  Simply, in the eyes of wildlife, some areas have more nature than others.

The Metroparks offers some unique opportunities to see wildlife! Viewing them up close can be a thrilling experience so you may be tempted to draw them as close as possible to yourself with food. But it is important to refrain from doing so. The top four reasons to resist that urge and keeping your distance are...

The Metroparks has had a Canada Goose management program going back over a decade. Goose populations within our park have increased steadily, negatively impacting the water quality at the park and the experience of park patrons. Our Canada Goose management program is an effort to address both of these issues by discouraging geese from living in the recreation areas of the park, and encouraging geese to move to more natural areas both inside and outside of the park.

This is great news for anyone who appreciates wildlife and the opportunity to view them.  It means that when you are quietly walking the trails, if you keep your distance, you will probably be witness to a variety of wild behavior. Most of the time, this is how it works. But occasionally, encounters with wildlife can be… wild.

The large and beautiful Great Horned Owl is one of the most common and widespread owls in North America. You can see or hear them in most of the 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  However, have you heard the story of the Great Horned Owls in the bucket at Lake St. Clair Metropark?

In support of the Shelden Trails project at Stony Creek Metropark, Clinton River Area Mountain Biking Association (CRAMBA) presented the Metroparks Foundation a check for $3,000 at its annual Ay CRAMBA It's Cold Out! Fat Tire Bike/Snow Bike Festival.

On March 14, the Planning Department took part in a Disc Golf Planning Workshop hosted by Oakland County Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Metroparks and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The workshop was a public forum to share information about disc golf in Oakland County and to gather feedback from disc golfers and others about experiences and needs

To me, maple sugaring is the first sweet taste of spring. Weeks before the snow melts and the first leaf buds, maple trees begin to shake off their winter dormancy. As winter ends, the cycle of night time freezing temperatures and daytime thawing temperatures triggers the maple’s sap to begin flowing.

It’s a new year, and a great time to set personal goals, eat healthier, and plan a workout routine. Fitness is especially important! Looking for a way to get moving? Discover activities and resources for a great winter workout at your Metroparks.

One of the most distinguishable attractions of the Environmental Discovery Center at Indian Springs Metropark is the underwater pond dome. This acrylic dome allows visitors the opportunity to view our human-made Discovery Pond from down below.

Since 2016, Huron-Clinton Metroparks planners have been working diligently to develop specific 10-year master plans for each park. Please visit the Planning Department page of the Metroparks website to answer a short survey and get details on upcoming public meetings!

Are you looking for a great gift or do you want to get the jump on 2018? Beginning, November 1st all 2018 Metropark Annual Permits will go on sale. Give the gift of unlimited access to 13 Metroparks in five counties.

The Metroparks is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, continuing our mission of providing excellent recreational and educational opportunities while serving as stewards of its natural resources.

Our new playground is OPEN! Head out to the park to check out our newest addition. We’re so excited for you to experience our fantastic new playground features. Come see us soon to get out and play!

The Metroparks is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, continuing our mission of providing excellent recreational and educational opportunities while serving as stewards of its natural resources.

There is a bench in the prairie at Indian Springs Metropark, where if you sit sideways facing east, you can see hills of green in every direction, no roads and no buildings. These hills laid down by glaciers, some 17,000 years ago, are dotted with groups of oak trees and carpeted with an array of native prairie plants.

Take a moment and think about your favorite song. Maybe it’s a classical piece. Or perhaps it’s a bit more modern. In any case, as you listen, you can certainly gain an appreciation for each instrument. Maybe it is significant, and heard throughout the song, or maybe it is so subtle that it’s almost overlooked.

If you’re ready for a totally unique outdoor experience, its time to Go Ape! Way more than just zip lines, Go Ape is a 2-3-hour journey through the forest canopy as you take on suspended obstacles, Tarzan swings and breathtaking zip lines – all with an incredible view.

The holidays are over. The days are getting longer. New year’s resolutions are in full swing. Statistics show that the top two changes Americans want to make, in 2017, are to improve their overall health and improve their overall lives.