Madison Heights

Sponsors sought for nature center’s Fall Open House

By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Deb Jacques At last year’s Fall Open House, Morgan Humecky, of Northville, performed with the folk band Picks ‘n Sticks on the back porch of the Madison Heights Nature Center. They will be back at this year’s Fall Open House Sept. 30. Photo by Deb Jacques At last year’s Fall Open House, Morgan Humecky, of Northville, performed with the folk band Picks ‘n Sticks on the back porch of the Madison Heights Nature Center. They will be back at this year’s Fall Open House Sept. 30.

The day before Oakland County takes over the nature center as a Red Oaks facility, the city of Madison Heights will usher in the fall season with its 16th Fall Open House Sept. 30.

Last year’s event attracted more than 1,500 visitors to the facilities at 30300 Hales, south of 13 Mile and west of Dequindre. The Fall Open House runs from noon to 4 p.m. and marks an opportunity to spend time with the community while surrounded by the greenery of Suarez Friendship Woods. Admission is free.

“Summer will be winding down; we’ll be getting cooler and crisper air, and vibrant leaves — everything we look forward to every year,” said Ben Myers, deputy city manager. “This is a way to showcase and thank our volunteers who really stepped up to keep the place open and keep it important to the community. And this year, the open house acts as a way to welcome Oakland County to the nature center.”

Mayor Edward Swanson and his wife, Elaine, are spearheading the event, which returned in 2011 after a one-year hiatus. The Fall Open House is privately funded by donations from charitable residents and business sponsors. The event costs about $2,000 to put on, consistent with past years. Sponsorships are still needed for this year’s event.

“Last year’s event was a great success, considering it had been cancelled the year before,” said Kirby Rochester, recreation coordinator. “It was a fresh start, and we’re hopeful the event will be even more well-received this year.”

There will be two hayrides this time, to reduce the wait some experienced last year. The hayrides start by the nature center’s garage and follow the Forest Trail up through the parking lot and back to the garage. Around 600 people went on the hayrides last year.

There will be woodcarving demonstrations by the Metro Carvers of Michigan, and live performances by the folk band Picks ‘n Sticks. Children can look forward to a petting zoo provided by Carousel Acres. At press time, the city was hoping Home Depot will return with their workshops during which kids can build bug houses and birdhouses. The workshops were so well-received last year that Home Depot ran out of 200 birdhouse kits in less than two hours. The city is requesting they bring more this time.

Each attendee will also receive one doughnut and one glass of cider.

“Last year, with the turnout we had, we were glad we set that policy,” Myers said. “We were six gallons short of cider, so we ran out in the last 15 minutes of the open house. It tends to be a very crowded event, which is good.”

The show will go on in light rain, but may be cancelled if there is a downpour. City officials have their fingers crossed for pleasant weather like in years past.

“It’s a great day for families, just having a good time, whether it’s their first time to the nature center or their 100th,” Rochester said.

“We have a few events (in Madison Heights) that are special during the year, and the Fall Open House has certainly become one of them,” Myers said. “Our nature center is beautiful. It’s great to get together as a community and start the beginning of a wonderful fall season.”

The Fall Open House will be at the Madison Heights Nature Center, 30300 Hales in Suarez Friendship Woods, south of 13 Mile and west of Dequindre, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.

To sponsor the event, contact the Department of Public Services at (248) 589-2294. To donate directly to the Fall Open House, write checks payable to the City of Madison Heights — Nature Center Open House, and send to Madison Heights City Hall, 300 W. 13 Mile, Madison Heights, MI 48071. There is also a donation box at the nature center.

For more information, call the nature center at (248) 585-0100.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at akozlowski@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1104.