Parks Brochure 2019 reduced size

Rochester Hills Parks & Natural Resources Making Connections: Your Guide to Rochester Hills Parks & Natural Resources

Mission: “Building connections in our community: Neighbor to Neighbor; Neighbor to Nature; and Neighbor to History. We do this by preserving our history, conserving our green infrastructure, and engaging our community in the outdoors.”

Contents Bloomer & Yates Parks 2-3 Earl E. Borden Park 4-5 Thelma G. Spencer Park 6-7 Innovation Hills 8-9 Neighborhood Parks 10 - 11 Rochester Hills Museum 12 - 13 at Van Hoosen Farm Trails 14 - 15 Outdoor Engagement 16 - 17 Forestry 18 - 19 Green Space 20 - 21 Seasonal Events and Activities 22 - 23 Map 24 - 25 Parks and Natural Resources Department 1000 Rochester Hills Drive Rochester Hills, MI 48309 Phone: 248-656-4673 Fax: 248-841-2576 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rochesterhills.org

Bloomer & Yates Parks Bloomer and Yates Parks are 200 acres of parkland offering a wide opportunities. Bloomer Park features both hiking and biking trails through natur frequently sited including deer, wild turkey, red fox and more. Bloo sledding hill, and plenty of open space to enjoy. Bloomer is home your next family gathering. One of the historical features is the St Civilian Conservation Corps including two lengthy wooden stairc Yates Park rests along the Clinton River. Fly fishing is very popul grills and picnic areas are available to prepare and enjoy your catc

Bloomer 345 John R. Road • Velodrome • Playgrounds • Volleyball nets • Cricket field • Wooded walking trails • Mountain biking • Exercise pad • Climbing Stairs • Sledding hill • Picnic areas • Charcoal grills • Shelter and tent rentals Yates 1991 E. Avon Road • Picnic area • Charcoal grills • Fishing (DNR regulations apply) www.rochesterhills.org/bloomer e variety of year round active and passive recreational ral areas along the Clinton River. Woodland creatures are omer boasts beautiful picnic areas, a variety of playgrounds, a e to Michigan’s only outdoor velodrome and shelters for hosting tone Shelter which was built during the Great Depression by the cases that lead to the hiking trails. lar at Yates when the river teems with Steelhead Trout. Barbecue ch. 3

Earl E. Borden Park Borden Park is Rochester Hills prime sports complex offering conn fields and ball diamonds are the main attraction for some but other area. Other activity areas to be found in Borden Park include tenni Borden Park is also the home of The Festival of the Hills, one of Mi Day. The last Wednesday of each June, The Festival is a free family

Earl. E. Borden Park 1400 E. Hamlin Road • 4 lighted ball fields • 11 soccer fields (1 lighted) • 2 tennis courts • 3 basketball courts • 8 pickle ball courts • 7 batting cages • 2 roller hockey rinks • Playground • 3 miles of paved paths • Volleyball court • Sledding berm www.rochesterhills.org/borden nections to many outdoor sports. Groomed and irrigated soccer rs prefer the interactive playground and surrounding picnicking is, basketball, roller hockey, volleyball and pickle ball. ichigan’s largest annual fireworks shows celebrating Independence y friendly event that attracts visitors from near and far. 5

Thelma G. Spencer Park A hidden gem in a busy suburban world, Spencer Park has a beauti season, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, swimming in C watercraft rental and a large playground. The spring and fall still le fall colors. The winter continues to provide outdoor opportunities provide experiences for all ages. Spencer Park opens at 10 am daily

Thelma G. Spencer Park 3701 John R. Road • Lifeguarded beach • Watercraft rental: rowboats, pedal boats, paddleboards, kayaks • Concessions • Shelter and tent rentals • Sand volleyball court • 2 tennis courts • 3 miles of trails, both wooded and flat around the lake • Fishing: Bass, Blue Gill, Crappie, Pike • Bass Tournament • Pond hockey & ice skating • Ice fishing • Warming shelter with table games • Ice skate rental • Pond Hockey Tournament www.rochesterhills.org/spencer iful setting with amenities for all seasons. During the summer Carter Lake is the preferred activity surrounded by picnicking, eaves time for family picnics encircled with spring blossoms or with ice skating and hockey offerings while snow covered trails y with varied closing times based on the season. 7

Innovation Hills Innovation Hills is the City’s newest park property. Current plans flowing waterfalls and ponds, miles of nature trails and boardwalk (with kayak landing), sensory gardens, a unique, multi-level natur Accessible to all, the playground will also feature designs for thos enclosed areas.

Innovation Hills 2800 W. Hamlin Road While the park is currently under development, we expect the following areas to be completed in upcoming years: 2018-2019 • Miles of trails & boardwalks • 10 acres of ponds, waterfalls and community gathering areas • Sensory and learning garden • Pavilion 2019-2020 • Unique, multi-level nature themed playground • More trails • Kayak landing Future Plans • Overlooks and observation towers • Community building overlooking ponds • Crossing over Clinton River to Green Space Trails www.rochesterhills.org/ Innovationhills s bring the excitement of small group gathering places around ks through wetlands, woods and adjacent to the Clinton River re themed playground with flowing water and a tree house. se with autism, including quiet areas, earth tones, and fully 9

Neighborhood Parks There are numerous smaller parks scattered throughout Rochester available for those seeking active use. Picnic areas, playgrounds an Veterans Memorial Pointe provides access to the Clinton River Tra quiet reflection.

LOCATIONS Avon Nature Study Area 1000 Rochester Hills Drive Avondale Park 3400 Bathurst Avenue Eugene S. Nowicki Park 670 N. Adams Road Helen V. Allen Park 1601 School Road Tienken Road Park 3340 W. Tienken Road Veterans Memorial Pointe 1015 S. Livernois Road Wabash Park 100 Wabash Road r Hills. Ball diamonds, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts are nd a community garden can also be found for more passive use. ail, numerous memorial gardens and a gazebo for moments of 11

Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Rochester H understanding of the past through interpreting, preserving and co present and future generations. Visitors will learn about the peopl Hills Community, through engaging exhibits, guided tours of the 1 media room with numerous videos including the Museum’s award 16 acres that encompass this historic site located along the Stony C photography, picnics, and private events.

Rochester Hills Museum 1005 Van Hoosen Road • Exhibits & tours • Programs & events • Private group tours, events and weddings • Meeting space • History lectures & films • School & Scout programs • Vintage Baseball • Summer day camps • Membership program • Archives & collections www.rochesterhills.org/ museum • Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm helps to enhance ollecting the history of the greater Rochester Hills area for le, places and events that have shaped the Greater Rochester 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse and 1850 Red House and a multi- d winning PBS movie, Pioneer Family on Van Hoosen Farm. The Creek, are open year-round, offering a spectacular backdrop for 13

Trails Rochester Hills is connected to the vast Michigan trail system via t of the Clinton River Trail pass though Rochester Hills, lined with b Clinton River. Running north out of downtown Rochester, the Pain Paint Creek and traveling through shady canopies of ever changing you to destinations across southeast Michigan and beyond.

Clinton River Trail • 4.9 miles • Shade shelter • Benches at multiple points • Access to Rochester College’s Lake Norcentra Park • Parking available at multiple points along the trail • Vault toilet at Leach Rd. parking lot • Access to shops and restaurants Paint Creek Trail • 1.2 miles • Access to Dinosaur Hill property • Access to shops and restaurants • Bike repair station • Benches at multiple points the Clinton River Trail and the Paint Creek Trail. Nearly 5 miles beautiful scenic views and multiple links to observe or access the nt Creek Trail adds just over a mile of scenery, following along the g foliage. Both trails connect to expansive trail systems, linking 15

Outdoor Engagement The City of Rochester Hills Parks and Natural Resources Departm Engagement opportunities for families and individuals of all ages include the Hoot and Howl Hayride, Fly Tying, and our Sap-to-Syru very own parks. We strive to be a valuable resource for the public, s The warm summer months promise fishing for beginners, kayaking whole family is sure to enjoy.

• Outdoor Education Programs for all ages • Outdoor skill building, exploration, hiking, kayaking and adventure opportunities • Guided nature hikes • Health and wellness opportunities • Community connections • Custom programs for schools, HOA’s, Scouts and special interest groups • Wildlife resource and response www.rochesterhills.org/ outdoor ment is dedicated to providing interesting and exciting Outdoor and all skill levels. A few of our favorite fall and winter programs up Pancake Breakfast where Maple sap is harvested here in our stewards for our Green Spaces and nature educators for all ages. g, campfires and many more outdoor engagement activities the 17

Forestry The Forestry Unit’s Mission is “to conserve and enhance the qualit of Rochester Hills by protecting, planting and maintaining a healt maintaining more than 19,000 trees along approximately 280 mile Paint Creek and Clinton River trailways. Forestry also maintains tr has planted more than 10,000 trees across the city. For a limited tim roadway at the request of the adjacent property owner.

• Tree maintenance operations (trimming, removals, stump grinding, storm cleanup) • Street tree planting (every spring and fall) • Maintain street tree inventory • Arbor Day Observance (last Friday in April) • Permits (for both tree removal and planting) • Christmas tree recycling • Tree pest and disease monitoring (eg. Gypsy Moth, Oak Wilt, Dutch Elm Disease) • Free wood chips (available at Spencer Park) • Free tree care information www.rochesterhills.org/forestry ty of life and provide for the safety of the citizens of the City thy urban tree population.” The Forestry Unit is responsible for es of city roads, as well as trees along public pathways and the rees at city parks and other city facilities. Since 1985 Forestry me, trees are available at no cost for planting along any public 19

Green Space In September 2005, Rochester Hills residents passed 10-year millag community. The Rochester Hills City Council established the nine developing strategies and making recommendations regarding the green spaces, wildlife habitats and scenic views, protect wetlands, w Greenway and other trail corridors. As the next phase of protecting our natural resources, in 2013, Roch and maintenance of green spaces, and improve pedestrian accessib

The following is a list of the properties purchased with millage funds or donated to the city for green space preservation: • Rivercrest Green Space 1.74 acres, donated in 2007 • Childress Green Space 5.3 acres, purchased in 2007 • Harding Green Space 26.8 acres, purchased in 2008 • Cloverport Green Space 7.42 acres, purchased in 2009 • Clear Creek Green Space 23.68 acres, donated in 2013 • Innovation Hills Green Space 48.38 acres, purchased in 2014 • Ruby Green Space 9.48 acres, purchased in 2016 and 4.44 acres donated in 2018 www.rochesterhills.org/greenspace ge to acquire and preserve natural green space in their member Green Space Advisory Board for the purpose of e expenditure of millage funds to permanently preserve natural woodlands, rivers and streams and expand the Clinton River hester Hills voters approved a ballot to fund the protection, care bility. 21

Rochester Hills Parks & Natural Reso Spring • Antler Amble • Arbor Day Celebration • Biking • Calf Barn Rentals (Weddings & Events) • Fishing • Free Street Tree Planting • Green Space Hikes • Museum Historical Exhibits • Outdoor Engagement Programs • Shelter Rentals • Soccer & Baseball • Trail Walking Summer • Bass Fishing Tournament • Batting Cages • Biking • Calf Barn Rentals (Weddings & Events) • Festival of the Hills • Garden Walk • Green Space Hikes • Museum Day Camps • Museum Historical Exhibits • Outdoor Engagement Programs • Paddlepalooza • Shelter & Tent Rentals • Soccer & Baseball • Swimming at Thelma G. Spencer Park • Trail Walking • Vintage Baseball • Watercraft Rentals at Thelma G. Spencer Park • Wet & Wild Wednesdays at the Museum

ources Seasonal Events and Activities Autumn • Biking • Calf Barn Rentals (Weddings & Events) • Fishing • Free Street Tree Planting • Green Space Hikes • Hoot & Howl Hayride • Museum Historical Exhibits • Outdoor Engagement Programs • Shelter Rentals • Soccer & Baseball • Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival at the Museum • Trail Walking Winter • Calf Barn Rentals (Weddings & Events) • Film Series at the Museum • Ice Fishing • Ice Skating • Museum Historical Exhibits • Old Fashioned Christmas at the Museum • Outdoor Engagement Programs • Pond Hockey Classic at Thelma G. Spencer Park • Sap to Syrup Program • Sledding at Bloomer and Borden Parks • Trail Walking • Visit with Santa at the Museum For more information visit www.rochesterhills.org/parks 23

Map Brewster Rd Our parks, trails, .J and green spaces. .H A. Bloomer Park Adams Rd B. Yates Park C. Earl E. Borden Park Clinton Riv er .U D. Thelma G. Spencer Park E. Innovation Hills .E F. Avon Nature Study Area G. Avondale Park M - 59 H. Eugene S. Nowicki Park Trail I. Helen V. Allen Park River J. Tienken Road Park .Clinton K. Veterans Memorial Pointe N L. Wabash Park M. Rochester Hills Museum at Adams Rd .G Van Hoosen Farm N. Clinton River Trail, Leach Road Access O. Paint Creek Trail, Tienken Road Access P. Rivercrest Green Space Q. Childress Green Space R. Harding Green Space S. Cloverport Green Space T. Clear Creek Green Space U. Innovation Hills Green Space V. Ruby Green Space

Dutton Rd Mead Rd Orion Rd .T Sheldon Rd .OPaint Creek Trail Washington Rd Tienken Rd Runyon Rd RomeoMain .M Dequindre Rd University Dr Letica Dr Parkdale Walton Blvd Old Perch Rd Avon Rd .R .Q .A .B Livernois Rd .P .S .F .K School Rd Hamlin Rd Rochester Rd .I John R Rd .C .L Dequindre Rd Auburn Rd Crooks Rd .V .D South Blvd 25

Mayor Bryan K. Barnett City Council Mark Tisdel, President Stephanie Morita, Vice President Susan Bowyer Ryan Deel Dale Hetrick James Kubicinia David Walker