Wintertime Is Fun Time at Oakland County Parks

Winter in Michigan doesn't have to mean hibernation. Bundle up and learn how to snowshoe or strap on skis and try cross-country skiing; explore winter changes at two nature centers or make your own fun by ice skating or ice fishing. We supply the location, and sometimes even the hot chocolate.

Outdoor recreation can strengthen families, improve health and fitness and provide opportunities for people of all cultures to interact. Oakland County Parks creates community through people, parks and programs.

Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston is a Mecca for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, hikers, ice skaters and ice fisher-men. "The best groomed cross-country trails in southeast Michigan are at Independence Oaks" says Hour Detroit Magazine's 2008 Best Winter Getaways List. The list specifically lauds the Ted Gray Trail among nearly nine miles groomed for skiing. Equipment rental and ski lessons are avail-able. Winter enthusiasts will also find a heated building with snack machines and restrooms, conveniently located near the fishing lake. A nature center with interactive exhibits offers a warm respite. Winter hiking on paved trails offers a great workout.

Snowshoeing and open cross-country skiing for those with their own equipment are also available at three golf courses and four parks; trails are not groomed. Ice fishing and skating are allowed at Addison Oaks, conditions permitting.

Pets love winter, too. Dogs can frolic off leash at two dog parks, year round. Orion Oaks and Lyon Oaks Dog Parks offer a winter playground complete with shelters and water.

Special events are planned throughout the winter months, including interpretive programs at the nature centers as well as the annual Fire & Ice Festival in Rochester and outdoor adventures programs for teens and adults.

Get details on Oakland County Parks' winter activities at DestinationOakland.com.

Here are some Oakland county Parks events to check out:

Stories Behind the Symbols   
Saturday, Jan. 16, 1:30-3 p.m.
Learn the stories behind our state symbols. For instance, our state stone is an interesting fossil from when Michigan was an ocean. Enjoy a Michigan snack, and polish your own Petoskey stone to take home. $3/person.

Avian Citizen Scientists   
Saturday, Jan. 30, 9-11:00 a.m.
Why not use your bird-watching skills to benefit science. This program will introduce you to several opportunities where amateur bird watchers can easily collect and submit data for analysis by scientists. Make-and-take a suet log feeder to enhance your own backyard feeding station. Suitable for upper-elementary students through adults. $3/person.

Tuning Your Tot into Winter
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 10-11:45 a.m. OR 1-2:45 p.m.
OR Saturday, Feb. 6, 1-2:45 pm.
Building a strong love of nature in early childhood can lead to a lifetime of healthy living. Celebrate nature with the 3-6 year old in your family by making "Tuning Your Tot" a seasonal habit. Make memories with your child as we sing, discover, hike, craft and snack our way through a winter morning (or afternoon). This WINTER session will focus on "Becoming a Snow Scientist." Only $2/tot – this is a 50% savings in honor of TYT's 25th anniversary.

Winter Star Party
Saturday, Feb. 6 8-10 p.m.
Winter's crisp, clear skies can be great for star gazing. Learn to locate the circumpolar and winter constellations while enjoying a planetarium show inside the Nature Center's STARLAB. Peek at deep sky wonders through telescopes provided by the Oakland Astronomy Club (weather permitting). Make a cosmic craft and enjoy a star studded snack! Suitable for school age children and adults. $2/person.

Snowshoe Trek & Campfire
Saturday, Feb. 13, 10-12:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family out for a morning filled with winter fun. Activities include nature/snowshoe talk, snowshoeing, animal tracking, t-shirt printing, campfire with hot cocoa and winter stories. Snowshoeing appropriate for ages 5 and older and participants must wear boots. A winter hike will replace snowshoeing if there is no snow. Bring a plain, white pre-washed t-shirt for each person to decorate with animal tracks. $3/person.



Rx Burns
Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, 3-5 p.m.
Learn about the 2010 prescribed burn program at Oakland County Parks and how you can help with the burns at five parks. Volunteers will be trained to assess the impact of the burns and assist with pre and post burn evaluations. This program will also cover the ecological importance of fire to the natural communities within the parks and efforts to restore these communities. Registration and information: Contact Kathleen at 248-858-0704.

Nest Box Monitoring Workshop
Sunday, March 7, 3-4:30 p.m.
This workshop will provide volunteers with the training and information required monitor nest boxes at five Oakland County Parks for the 2010 nesting season. Volunteers must commit to checking assigned nest boxes weekly from April through August, however, anyone interested in learning more about the nest box monitoring is welcome to attend. Registration and information: Contact Kathleen at 248-858-0704. Please pre-register by March 2.