HAVE A STORY TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR METROPARKS VISIT?

One of my favorite moments was bringing my wheelchair dependent 3 year old and high energy 5 year old to the nature trails surrounding the Lake St. Claire Nature Center. Its difficult to connect with nature when its not accessible but its so important to us as a family. It was tough to traverse with…

I was first introduced to the Trail Challenge in 2024, and this is my third year doing it. The experience has been truly amazing. Visiting all the different parks and hitting so many different trails has been a journey. I started off walking at Lake St. Clair Metropark pretty much daily before I discovered the…

The Metroparks are beautiful and have so much to offer. I love walking the trails with my daughters. It’s definitely boosted my mental health and gives me precious time with my girls. Seeing the wildlife and picturesque views makes us happy. -Patricia K.

We started the Trail Challenge very late last year but had also done it the previous years. Even though we got a late start in 2025, we decided it was our time to do all 13! We managed to fit in all 13 in the final month, saw many new places, spent quality time on…

I had only ever been to Stony Creek Metropark golf course prior to doing the Trail Challenge for the first time a couple years ago. After seeing what all the parks have to offer, I’ve gone to multiple golf courses. Indian Springs and Huron Meadows Metroparks are two of my new favorite golf courses in…

Some of my favorite memories from childhood are from visiting Kensington Metropark with my family for the yearly Fourth of July fireworks and also seeing the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform while we sat on the grass. Other highlights included visiting the Farm and Nature Center. I continue to visit, but now with my own family,…

During Covid lockdown, my daughter and I set about trying to hike at all of the Metroparks (we got to all except Lake St. Clair, Wolcott Mill, and Stoney Creek Metroparks) and she even created a spreadsheet where we ranked the hiking trails. Kensington Metropark reigned supreme. She was just home from her first year…

With gas prices skyrocketing the Metroparks Trail Challenge offers the perfect daycation solution. Last year was our first year participating. Each park offers local, unique, and beautiful natural spaces to explore. Even though the Trail Challenge involved mostly hiking and biking, we also discovered many new places to launch our kayaks and paddle the stress…

I started participating in the Metroparks Trail Challenge in 2024 and have signed up each year since. Prior to participating, I had only been to a few of the Metroparks (the couple closest to my house). Participating in the Trail Challenge took me to parks that I may have not ever visited otherwise, many of…

Twenty eight years ago I met my future husband while walking on the paved path near the north dam at Stony Creek Metropark. Five months later, after an evening walk, he proposed in the Northdale parking lot. Seven months from the day we first met, we were married at the Northdale picnic shelter. To this…

My Wife and I discovered the Trail Challenge last year and absolutely loved it. We had so much fun visiting the thirteen vastly different parks. We were amazed at the varied biomes that each park offered. Every park felt unique and we cannot wait to visit them all again this year. We are especially looking…

I love everything Stony Creek Metropark has to offer and my dogs love it too. What I love most is mountain biking. I’ve been riding here for over 20 years. The revamped trails are amazing. The berms and jumps are great. These trails taught me how to jump properly, and I’m almost 50! I am…

For years, I have wanted to find a maple tree on our property and learn to tap it for syrup with my son. Unfortunately timing, equipment costs, and life in general have impeded this dream. Today, we were fortunate enough to join the maple tapping event at Kensington Metropark. Sitting and listening to a member…

The Metroparks have been woven into the story of my life. Some of my earliest memories are summer days at the Wave Pool at Lake Erie Metropark, where the parks first became a place of joy and adventure for me. Decades later, they remain a constant. As a runner for more than twenty-five years, I…

As a family we love to spend time year around in the Metroparks. There is always something to enjoy no matter the weather. We love the kids ice fishing tournaments sponsored by the Walleye Club. It is a great free way to get your kids out enjoying nature even in the winter months. We also…

If you have an active dog the Huron-Clinton Metroparks are a must! From hiking trails, attending events, walking with friends and swimming we’ve been to every park within about 90 minutes and visit our local parks biweekly. Great way to explore and burn energy together. -Renee M.