Parks & Recreation

Assistant Naturalist Christina Funk introduces Samantha the owl and also expresses her gratitude and enthusiasm for a permanent owl structure during an Oct. 14 groundbreaking ceremony at the Stage Nature Center in Troy.

Published October 21, 2020

Troy Times

Work begins on owl structure at Troy nature center

TROY — A permanent home for hoots has started to take root at Troy’s nature center.

Published October 20, 2020

Macomb Township Chronicle

Seasonal contest brings out creativity in Macomb Township

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — While the turnout wasn’t as large as expected, the Macomb Township Parks and Recreation Department held its fourth annual scarecrow contest Oct. 9.

Published October 15, 2020

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

St. Clair Shores Halloween in the Park proceeds with limited tickets

Adding to the fall fun in St. Clair Shores, the Parks and Recreation Department and Activities Committee have announced there will be a Halloween in the Park trick-or-treating event for children Oct. 25.

Among the upgrades to the park are a 0.6 mile walking trail and two raised soccer fields to help combat poor drainage.

Published October 7, 2020

Southfield Sun

Southfield’s Catalpa Oaks Park celebrates reopening

SOUTHFIELD — If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught people anything, it’s the importance of outdoor activities. The need for recreational space has become much more important with residents, who may feel stuck inside the house for what seems like months on end.

Troy residents Jeffrey Kerr, front, and Jeff Kelly, prepare to unload chips onto a trail within Phillip J. Huber Park. The two have been voluntarily helping to maintain the trail.

Published September 22, 2020

Troy Times

Troy resident helps maintain park trail

TROY — According to Troy resident Jeffrey Kerr, there is a “hidden gem” right in the heart of the city that most residents aren’t aware of.

Published September 22, 2020

Rochester Post

Rochester dedicates Heroes Point park and garden

ROCHESTER — A memorial to pay tribute to first responders was dedicated in downtown Rochester Sept. 11.

Published September 22, 2020

Rochester Post

New safety path to connect Silverbell, Gallagher roads to Paint Creek Trail

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — Bicyclists, runners and walkers will no longer have to dodge cars along Gallagher Road as they walk to and from the Paint Creek Trail.

Published September 8, 2020

Southfield Sun

Southfield parks see 200% increase in use during pandemic

SOUTHFIELD — The COVID-19 pandemic may still be around, but that hasn’t stopped Southfield residents from hitting the parks for some fresh air.

Published September 8, 2020

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Birmingham seeks new parks bond

BIRMINGHAM — The decisions that voters will make on the upcoming November ballot are anything but fun and games.

Published August 25, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Parks see increase in visitors, wrestle to keep people safe during COVID-19

METRO DETROIT — Whether to seek refuge from quarantine, joblessness or the inability to travel, Michiganders have flocked to parks to keep themselves healthy, both physically and mentally.

Published August 24, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Oakland County seeks to renew, increase millage for parks

OAKLAND COUNTY — Earlier this month, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted to add a 0.35-mill proposal to the Nov. 3 ballot to fund the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department, since the current millage is set to expire next year.

Published August 24, 2020

Macomb Township Chronicle

Nature preserve opens in Macomb Township

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Aug. 10, the Macomb Township Parks and Recreation Department opened the 26 Mile Road Nature Preserve.

The Recreational Authority of Roseville and Eastpointe is adding safety measures to continue to provide programming during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Published August 21, 2020

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

RARE offers outdoor programs

EASTPOINTE/ROSEVILLE — The COVID-19 quarantine has been difficult for organizations whose duties usually include providing programs both fun and educational, yet the Recreational Authority for Roseville and Eastpointe is carrying on with several outdoor activities.

Published August 21, 2020

Warren Weekly

Grant to help Center Line make a ‘splash’ at Memorial Park

CENTER LINE — The days are already counting down to another long, cold winter, and the summer seemed to evaporate quickly before our eyes. But hope springs eternal, and Center Line is already eyeing a wet addition to Memorial Park next year.

Published August 17, 2020

Rochester Post

Stony Creek Metropark’s Shelden Trails redevelopment project begins

ROCHESTER HILLS — Huron-Clinton Metroparks is redeveloping its Shelden Trails system in the hopes of improving trail sustainability, expanding the existing system, adding accessibility, improving signage and reducing user conflict.

Published August 11, 2020

Woodward Talk

Local parks focusing on outdoor activities for residents

FERNDALE/BERKLEY — At the beginning of June and in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oakland County Health Division announced that it was rescinding an emergency health order that had closed down all outdoor playground equipment for children in the county.

Published August 6, 2020

West Bloomfield Beacon

Parks and Recreation millage approved by West Bloomfield voters

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Local voters showed strong support for West Bloomfield parks, approving the renewal of an existing parks and recreation millage ballot proposal by a wide margin in the Aug. 4 primary election.

Published July 27, 2020

Farmington Press

Flanders Park to receive new playscape

FARMINGTON — Farmington Mayor Pro Tem Joe LaRussa let out an enthusiastic “hell yes!” July 20 when Farmington City Clerk Mary Mullison asked for his vote on a motion to approve the purchase of a new playscape for Flanders Park.

Published July 27, 2020

Shelby - Utica News

Shelby to have trail connector installed to connect Iron Belle trail

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its July 21 meeting to allocate $160,000 to construct a multi-use connector trail in Shelby Township that is part of the Iron Belle Trail.