Having grown up in SE Michigan, I have always known the Huron-Clinton Metroparks existed. From running cross country races in high school at various parks to spending hot summer days at the Lake St. Clair Metropark beach, the parks have always played a background role in my life. In late summer of 2025, I had a bored dog, and a desire to be outside and see something new. So it was pure serendipity that on September 25, 2025, I saw a post about the Metroparks Trail Challenge. I’ve never been one to balk at a tight timeline, so I committed myself. All 13 parks in about 35 days, minimum of 1 hour at each park. And we did it! Kali the Labrador and I walked a cumulative 35 miles and spent 25 hours visiting all 13 Metroparks by the October 31 deadline. We visited parks I didn’t even know existed, watched the leaves change color, splashed in the Huron River and dipped our toes into Lake Erie (my first time visiting that Great Lake!). This year we’ve gotten to take our time visiting each park, a benefit of starting the challenge in May, and have fallen even more in love with the parks with each visit. Watching the parks pass through each season, from paddle boarding down the Huron River to trying (and failing at) cross country skiing at Stoney Creek, has been such a joy and we’re excited to see how the parks evolve in the future (maybe a dedicated dog off-leash swim area? A Lab can dream!). -Christina