The individual cities and townships in Oakland County have a host of local parks, some small and some quite large. We have done our best to describe them all in this section.
Auburn Hills
Civic Center Park
1827 N. Squirrel Rd.
Civic Center Park offers a wealth of natural beauty and includes nature trails, a fishing pond, and open lawn areas for picnics and outings. Open year-round, the park also has a softball field, a nine hole disc golf course, tennis courts, two play structures and swings. A covered picnic shelter with a fireplace can be reserved in season. Barbecue grills, picnic tables and restrooms are available in season.
Clinton River Trail
25 Grey Road. Municipal Lot, East-west hiking/biking trail.
The trail in Auburn Hills is 2.1 miles in length and runs east-west between Adams Rd. and Opdyke Rd. The trail is surfaced with a fine crushed stone which is suitable for biking and walking/jogging. This trail is part of a larger, 12 mile rail-trail planned to connect to the West Bloomfield trail near Sylvan Lake and to the Paint Creek Trail in Rochester.
E. Dale Fisk Hawk Woods Park and Campground
3799 Bald Mountain Rd.
Hawk Woods offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreational activities, including groomed nature trails, a marsh boardwalk, a covered picnic shelter that can be reserved in season, a two-story lodge, five overnight camping cabins, and a heated restroom/shower facility open year-round, all complimented by 80 acres of beautiful woods, meadows and marsh.
Riverside Park
3311 Squirrel Ct. Auburn & Squirrel Roads
Riverside Park rests on the banks of the Clinton River in the Village Center area of Auburn Hills and offers a river path, play structure with swings, a canoe launch and a covered picnic shelter than can be reserved in season. Barbecue grills and picnic tables are available in season and a heated restroom is open year-round.
It is also home to the Knight Amphitheater and the Riverside Park Splash Pad.
River Woods Park
300 River Woods Dr. on southeast corner of Squirrel Rd. at M-59.
River Woods Park is located along the Clinton River and features a covered picnic shelter that can be reserved in season, a paved pathway system with a bridge over the Clinton River, a play structure with swings and climbers, basketball courts, open spaces and picnic areas with barbecue grills.
Berkley
Angell Park
2.7 acres located at Wiltshire, between Bacon & Cummings
- Basketball Court
- Ball Fields
- Picnic Area
- Playlot
- Public Parking
- Tennis Courts
Community Park
17.9 acres located at Catalpa, between Gardner & Robina
- Ball Fields
- Horseshoe Pits
- Playlot
- Public Parking
- Jogging/Fitness Trails
- Restrooms
- Snack Bar
- Tennis Courts
Jaycee Park
2.7 acres located at Webster, between Bacon & Phillips
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Shelter
- Playlot
- Public Parking
Lazenby Field
2 acres located at Oxford, between Berkley & Henley
- Ball Field
- Public Parking
Merchants Park
6.7 acres located at Bacon, between Oxford & Cambridge
Basketball Court
- Ball Fields
- Picnic Area
- Playlot
- Public Parking
Friends Park (Oxford Towers Park)
.7 acre located at Harvard, between Berkley & Henley
- Picnic Area
- Tennis Courts
Pattengill Playground & Ballfield
Webster, between Royal & Oakshire
- Ball Field
- Picnic Area
- Playlot
- Public Parking
Beverly Hills
Beverly Park
18801 Beverly Road
A variety of outdoor recreation opportunities are available including a sled hill and ice skating rink, sand volleyball and basketball courts, two baseball fields and two tennis courts, a large playground, disc golf course, and a wooded natural area with trails for biking/hiking.
Riverside Park
Half-acre park located at Riverside Drive east of Evergreen Road.
The park has a picnic table and grill available and provides access to the mill pond which is part of the Rouge River. Visitors can fish, enjoy nature, and utilize the picnic area.
Birmingham
Booth Park
Southwest intersection of Old Woodward and Harmon, 359-399Harmon St, Birmingham
Park features include an expansive playscape, a labyrinth and tunnel, turf hill/amphitheater, during the winter months an area for sledding, a rain garden, stabilized stream banks, native plantings, a trail connecting to the Rouge River Trail, and open green space.
Kenning Park
1503 Cheltenham Rd, Birmingham
This site is the primary recreation complex in the community and is home to the Ice Sports Arena. Outdoor facilities at Kenning Park include three Little League baseball diamonds and one softball diamond, four tennis courts, open space and playground equipment with an ADA accessible path leading from the parking area to the playground. In 2004, a skate park was installed on the east side of the arena. The skate park was designed by skaters.
Poppleton Park
Oxford and Rivenoak Roads, Birminghame
The north end of Poppleton Park contains several pieces of play equipment including swings, climbers, sandboxes, and playscapes. There are also benches and trash containers in this area as well as considerable open space. Poppleton Park also contains a softball field with a crusher dust infield, grassy outfield, warning track, homerun fence and bleachers. A paved parking lot is located at the end of Rivenoak Road. A drinking fountain is located between the parking lot and baseball field. The park also has two tennis courts which were rebuilt in 2000.
Quarton Lake Park
501 Lakeside Dr, Birmingham
The Quarton Lake Park surrounds the lake almost entirely and provides passive recreation areas for the public, including several pathways and parking areas, overlook viewing areas, a footbridge over the water just below the dam, and a new fishing pier.
Shain Park
260 Martin Street, Downtown Birmingham
Shain Park is a downtown square that includes a plaza fountain with granite décor, a band shell, a new children’s play area, granite paved Merrill Street with the Marshall Fredericks statue in the center of the park, and a performance stage area with open lawn space for large audiences (home of the In the Park Summer Concerts)
Bloomfield Township
Johnson Nature Center
3325 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills
The Johnson Nature Center features many native plants and wildflowers that decorate the rolling terrain left by prehistoric melting glaciers. A tributary of the Rouge River flows through the park-like area.The grounds are crisscrossed with more than two miles of pleasant, wood-chipped, walking trails, and foster a safe habitat for a host of wildlife.
The Visitor Center and classrooms feature interactive educational exhibits and seasonal displays that provide a wealth of information. The facility, parking lot, and pathways are barrier free. The Visitor Center, log cabins, and an outdoor amphitheater provide areas for meetings, classes, and programs.
Visiting the authentic 1800’s homestead is an interesting trip back in time, and a favorite for youngsters! Docks, boardwalks, bridges, trail signs, picnic tables, and benches enhance a visitor’s experience.
The Johnson Nature Center has 2.0 miles of nature trails, and has resident deer, a red-tailed hawk, and a great-horned owl. At the pond you may see some frogs or turtles.
Bowers School Farm
1219 East Square Lake Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Bowers School Farm is owned and operated by Bloomfield Hills Schools (BHS). the Bowers School Farm has been a place for schools and our community to gather and celebrate agriculture. Animals such as sheep, horses, cattle, and llamas graze the pastures. The Farm is also home to acres of vegetable production, community gardens, and curated horticultural gardens. Bowers Farm is open year-round for various educational programs and community events!
Brandon Township
Brandon Township Community Park
1414 North Hadley Road, Ortonville, MI.
From M-15 (Ortonville Road), turn east onto Oakwood Road then turn north onto Hadley Road. The park is the first driveway on the right. The multipurpose/soccer fields and parking areas are to your left as you enter the park. Turn right for the sledding hill, playground, tree library, basketball court, volleyball courts, and baseball fields.
Clawson
Clawson City Park
935 N. Custer, Clawson
The Clawson City Park is the city’s largest outdoor recreation area and hosts such events as the 4th of July festivities and Fall Festival in October.
- Stadium Field: a football and soccer field, surrounded by an asphalt track
- Additional soccer field
- Baseball field
- Skatepark
- Softball field
- Tennis courts
- Shuffleboard courts
- Sand volleyball courts
- Children’s play structure
- Fenced tot lot
- Open play area
- Restroom facilities on both east and west sides
- Woodchip trail (0.75 mile around)
Grant Park
926 Grant, Clawson
- Tennis courts
- Soccer fields
- Restrooms
- Play structure
- Swings
Hunter Park
509 Fisher Court, Clawson
Located outside of Hunter Community Center, this area offers:
- Small soccer field
- Children’s playground
- Picnic area
Memorial Park
416 N. Main, Clawson
This small park is adjacent to Blair Memorial Library and located in the heart of the city. It offers:
- Gazebo
- Park benches
Commerce Township
Bicentennial Park
2840 Fisher, Commerce Township
This park features a variety of active recreational facilities. Amenities include one ball field, one soccer field, two sand volleyball courts, one basketball court and one horseshoe pit. Facilities for younger children include a playscape, swingset and slide. One pavilion is available, along with picnic tables, grills and a porta-john.
Byers Homestead
213 Commerce Road, Commerce Township
Facilities at the park include the primary residence, barn, duck barn, pantry, storage barn, outhouse, picnic tables, benches, walking path, portajohn and a wooden bridge over the Huron River. The park also hosts a number of events throughout the year such as vintage market, Halloween boo bash, pictures with Santa and the Easter bunny, etc.
Hickory Glen
610 Glengary Road, Commerce Township
This community park is both an active and passive park with many sporting facilities, including seven mid- to full-sized ball diamonds and one full size football stadium. Bleachers and dugouts are found at each ball field with a grandstand, concession stand, restrooms, and scoreboard at the football stadium.Other facilities at the park include play equipment, picnic tables, grills, benches and a concession building.
The Motor City Mountain Bike Association has built and maintains numerous mountain bike trails within the park. The Lakes Community Trail extends through the park, providing opportunities for walking, jogging and biking. The trail also provides a link between Hickory Glen Park and other recreation facilities within the area.
Robert H. Long Nature Park
40900 W. 14 Mile, Commerce Township (northeast corner of 14 Mile Road and M-5)
This nature park affords citizens access to a wetland habitat and offers opportunity for the enjoyment of nature and wildlife.
A major feature of this park is a wheelchair accessible crushed limestone trail that encircles Berry Lake. A covered bridge connects the north and south sides of the trail. Other amenities include fishing docks, a picnic pavilion, picnic tables, grills and benches. The M-5 Trail traverses along the east side of the park.
Maple Glen Park
2355 Glengary Road, Commerce Township
This park was developed primarily for baseball and softball purposes. Currently, two leagues call the park home: Interlakes Girls Softball League and Commerce Little League. Related amenities include outdoor bathrooms, concessions, maintenance building, play equipment, bleachers, picnic tables, grills, benches and a batting cage. The Lakes Community Trail travels through the park from east to west.
Mill Race Park
360 Commerce Road, Commerce Township
Mill Race Park is located on the north side of Commerce Road across from Byers Homestead Park. Mill Race Park is a State Registered Historical Site, formerly occupied by the Commerce Roller Mill.
The park is used primarily as a passive open space area and interpretive site, with a picnic table and an internal trail network with two bridges crossing the Huron River headwaters. Parking exists behind the Mill Race Shopping Center, on Carroll Lake Road as well as informal parking along Commerce Road.
Ralph C. Richardson Park and Center
1485 E. Oakley Park Road, Commerce Township
The park and community center are located on the northwest corner of Oakley Park Road and Newton Road. The majority of the park site is wooded open space and unique prairie, accessed by nature trails. Outdoor facilities include one small soccer field, sand volleyball court, two playscapes, swings, horseshoe pit, picnic tables, grills and benches.
Snowy Ridge Sledding Hill
West side of Welch Road just south of the Township Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The park was opened in 2013 and includes the area’s only sled hill and an associated parking area.
Victory Park and Wise Woods
9061 Wise Road, Commerce Twp
The southern portion includes woods, the former Nike missile site, open fields, streams, wetlands and informal trails.
Davisburg (see Springfield Township)
Farmington/Farmington Hills
Founders Sports Park
35500 8 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Founders Sports Park is a 101-acre park with a variety of active recreation facilities including 6 soccer fields, 8 baseball/softball fields, 4 sand volleyball courts, 2 half-court basketball courts, 1 bocce ball court, disc golf course, Riley Skatepark, and fishing pier and 1 shuffle board court.
Heritage Park
24195 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Currently available at this 211-acre park are 4.5 miles of trails for hiking and nature study. In the winter these trails are used for cross-country skiing. A large picnic area is located at the north end of the park. It includes a splash pad, group picnic shelter, youth playground, in-ground grills, two sand volleyball courts, an in-line hockey rink and six horseshoe pits. The picnic shelter is available on a “first-come” basis but may be reserved in advance for a nominal fee. Also located in Heritage Park are the Spicer House, Stables Art Studio, Day Camp, Nature Center, Riley Archery Range and Amphitheatre buildings.
Woodland Hills Park
26655 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Woodland Hills, a nature park, features a primitive-walking trail winding through the 74-acre park. The focus of this park is the quiet observation of birds and animals in a variety of habitats. Meadows, hardwood forest, a pond, a river and creek are all part of the natural wonders of this park.
Pioneer Park
29885 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
This park has two baseball fields and two soccer fields available for the spring season. A comfort station and a refreshment stand are also available. During the fall soccer season the complex has four soccer fields. The park is open for public use except during regularly scheduled games.
Harmon Oaks Park
28000 Greening Rd, Farmington Hills
A quarter- mile path winds through this 1.7-acre nature preserve of mature hardwoods and wild flowers.
Riley Park & Sundquist Pavilion
33100-33172 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
Riley Park and the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion are centered in the heart of downtown Farmington. It is a year-round gathering place for the Farmington community.
Riley Park and the Sundquist Pavilion is home to the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market, Rhythmz in Riley Park, Swing Farmington, the Harvest Moon Celebration and, in the winter months, the Riley Park Ice Rink.
Shiawassee Park
32340 Shiawassee Road, Farmington
- Childrens Playground
- Fishing
- Baseball Fields
- Pavilions
- Restrooms
Ferndale
Cedar Creek Park, 6179 Apollo Dr, Ferndale
Cedar Creek Park is divided in two by Cedar Creek, with the park connected by a foot bridge over the water through a wonderful cedar tree forest. The park includes playground equipment in the south side of the park, basketball courts in the northwest and trails throughout.
Centennial Riverwalk Park
The Centennial Riverwalk and fountain area is a main attraction to our downtown area and part of the Main Street Urban Park corridor. The fountain is a popular summer destination for Ferndale residents, and includes public art commissioned by the City. The Ferndale Public Market utilizes the Riverwalk on Saturdays from April through October.
Flair Park
5610 Poplar Dr, Ferndale
The 0.9-acre park was renovated in 2001 and has a half basketball court; children’s play equipment, open grassy areas and picnic tables.
Glacier View Natural Recource Area
Thornton Rd, Ferndale
This park is a nature area that includes a 4-acre parcel of wetland. It can be accessed off Thornton Road and sits along the north side Glacier Place.
Griffintown Park,
Formerly owned by BNSF Railway Co., this stretch of land was donated to the City of Ferndale and converted into an urban park as 2nd Avenue was renovated. This park features a Veteran’s Memorial and plaques of historic Ferndale figures.
Franklin
Franklin Community Park
Wellington St, Franklin
The Franklin Community Association owns and maintains a large section of the open space to the south of the Franklin Community Church. This area includes baseball fields, tennis courts, park area, a walking path and a gazebo.
Hazel Park
Green Acres Park
620 W Woodward Heights Blvd, Hazel Park
Wooded park, the site of many festivals, with grassy areas, picnic pavilions & volleyball courts.
Martin Road Park
1615 Lewiston Ave, Ferndale, MI
Spacious site with basketball hoops, picnic pavilions, an in-line rink, sledding path & playground.
Highland Township
Holly
Sorensen Park
5142 East Holly Rd, Holly, MI
A 93 acre park which offers 2 softball fields, a playground, a 5k trail system, The Nature Center, and the Holly Township Parks and Recreation office. Among the many trails is a 5k (3.1 miles) trail mapped out within the park. Maps are available at the nature center (located in a folder outside the front door).
Holly Township Beach
501 Thomas St, Holly
The Holly Township Beach is located on Bush Lake. Hours of operation are noon-8pm, seven days a week (weather permitting). The Beach is open from mid June through Labor Day each summer. Red Cross certified lifeguards are on duty during all open times. There is also a concession stand which sells drinks and snacks throughout the summer season. A picnic area with barbecue grills is available on a first come basis.
Huntington Woods
Independence Township (Clarkston)
Bay Court Park
6970 Andersonville Road
Amenities include: community built playscape, disc golf, bathrooms. and the historic Brady Lodge.
Bay Court Park Beach is open weather permitting, from 9:00am until 1 hour before the park closes every day. There are NO LIFEGUARDS on duty, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Clintonwood Park
6000 Clarkston Road
Clintonwood Park is 120 acres of open space. The park is open every day with the exception of New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The park features pickleball courts, basketball, 4 square and tennis courts, playground and spray park, baseball, softball and soccer fields, and volleyball.
Deer Lake Beach
350 White Lake Road
Deer Lake Beach is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting. Please call 248-625-8223 for hours. No pets allowed on any beaches or at the Spray Park. Trained Lifeguards supervise the beach. Fees are charged for both the beach and boat launching facilities. Swimming lessons are held throughout the summer. Park rules are posted at each entrance. Please remember that all Township facilities are alcohol free and that all pets must be leashed at all times when using any park facilities
Sashabaw Plains Park
5620 Maybee Road
Sashabaw Plains Park is a 15-acre park that is open during the year from April through October 31. The park features a community built playground, baseball fields, horseshoes, 4 square and basketball courts, volleyball, picnic areas, and bathroom facilities.