Local parks, programs spring into life

With the weather warming up, it would be no surprise if the children are itching to go to the playground and the dog is begging for a long walk.
Many parks in the area offer great facilities for spring and summer enjoyment.
In downtown Clarkston, Depot Park, 375 Depot Rd., has a large playground, gazebo for rent, and is home to many summer concerts and events.
In Independence Township, Clintonwood Park, on Clarkston Road between M-15 and Sashabaw, has a picnic area, playground, tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, horseshoe pits, fitness trail, and pavilion that can be rented.
“Clintonwood Park is really the park that anyone would want,” said Independence Township Parks and Recreation Director Mike Turk. “There are quite a few things in our parks to do. They are really, very well-kept.”
Clintonwood Park is also home to the Clintonwood Spray Park, a 37,000-square-foot water facility open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Visit www.ClarkstonSprayPark.org for more information.
Deer Lake Beach on White Lake Road is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is an admission charge with swimming and boat launch facilities. Lifeguards will be on duty starting in June.
Sashabaw Plains Township Park on Maybee Road includes a playground facility, pavilion, baseball fields and picnic areas.
Bay Court Park, on Andersonville Road between Dixie Highway and White Lake Road, is home to a large play area, pavilions, walking trail and beach with lifeguards. There is also a small banquet room for rent.
For more information about Independence Township parks, visit www.twp.independence.mi.us.
In Springfield Township, Mill Pond Park, located on Davisburg Road in downtown Davisburg, has outdoor tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball, shuffleboard, beach with swim area, walking path, fishing pier, large playground area, restrooms, and outdoor pavilion with picnic tables and grills.
“There’s just so much to tell about our parks,” said Springfield Township Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Tucker. “We have a pretty special place right here under our noses in Oakland County. A lot of our park land is really ecology-based because it’s such a special place. We do all that we can to maintain these areas.”
Shultz Park, on the corner of Dilley and Davisburg roads, is another park in Springfield. It is home to swingsets, baseball diamonds, and outdoor pavilion with tables and grills.
Green Lake Park, on corner of Northbay and Foster Roads, has a large playground area, grills, tables, and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.
Shiawassee Basin Preserve, west of downtown Davisburg, with entrances off of Eaton and Davisburg Roads, has an outdoor pavilion with grills and tables, fishing ponds, baseball diamonds and soccer fields. Horses, mountain bikes and other high-impact activities are not permitted in the preserve.
“One of the things that makes us unique is not only are we a small town in Oakland County, but we do have a great amount of green space and we’re preserving this for generations to come,” said Tucker. “A lot of other places don’t have this open space. In our parks, you really get to know everyone as your neighbors, whether you live here or not.”
For more information about Springfield Township parks, visit www.springfield-twp.us.
In addition to the township parks, two Oakland County parks serve the area.
Independence Oaks, 9501 Sashabaw Rd., features picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming, nature study and youth group camping. Nearly 10 miles of marked nature and ski trails snake through Independence Oaks, also a 2.5-mile paved hike, bike, and blade pathway. Also available are a boat launch and seasonal rowboat, canoe, kayak, and pedalboat rentals on Crooked Lake.
The Lewis E. Wint Nature Center is also located in Independence Oaks. Vehicle permits are required to visit the park. For more information, visit www.oakgov.com/parksrec.
Springfield Oaks, at 12451 Andersonville Rd., is home to the annual Oakland County Fair. It also houses the historic Ellis Barn, which moved to the county park in 2005.
It also features many special events and space for banquets, seminars and reunions.