Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers low cost family fun this fall at the Wint Nature Center of Independence Oaks County Park. 

Winter Wildlife Readiness on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. provides insight into how animals prepare for winter.

“Park naturalists will provide great information on how animals get ready for winter and how people can too,” Recreation Program Supervisor Tim Nowicki said. 

Participants will make a feeder to take home, as well as learn about local wildlife, tree planting and participating in a feeder watch project. Cost is $3/person.

Harvest Hayride on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. offers an opportunity for friends and family to gather for an evening hayride through the park, stories and a campfire. 

“It’s a unique experience to be outdoors after dark, hearing the sounds of nocturnal animals,” Nowicki said.

Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight and blanket. Cost is $3/person. 

Pre-registration and payment are required for events. Contact the nature center at 248-625-6473 for more information. 

Wint Nature Center is located in Independence Oaks County Park at 9501 Sashabaw Road in Clarkston. 

For details, maps and more, visit DestinationOakland.com.

 

  

All ages are invited to enjoy spooky fun and Halloween activities at Haunted Hallows, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sept. 25 at Groveland Oaks County Park. 

“This really is the most exciting weekend of the year. Kids always have so much fun,” Parks Supervisor Boyd Brokenshaw said. “It’s a great opportunity to enjoy family-friendly Halloween activities in the beautiful weather.” 

The event features camper and pet costume contests; witch cackling contests; campground trick-or-treating; and a community campfire with spooky stories. 

Visitors can also enjoy an Island of Terror, face painting, craft making, bike parades, puppet shows and inflatables. 

Groveland Oaks Campground offers seven-day camping through Sept. 26 with group camping areas; four– and six–person cabins; modern restrooms and showers; and concessions. The campground also features fishing; pedalboating; children’s playscape; 18-hole mini golf course; hiking trail; skate park; court games; and more.

A 2010 Annual Vehicle Permit or daily park pass is required for park entry. 

Telephone reservations are now being accepted for cabins and 48 select campsites. Reservation must include, at a minimum, both Friday and Saturday nights. To reserve a campsite in advance, contact 248-634-9811. 

Groveland Oaks County Park is located at 14555 Dixie Highway in Holly. 

For details, maps and more, visit DestinationOakland.com.

 

Oakland County Parks and Recreation and Michigan Invasive Plants Council (MIPC) will host a Japanese Barberry Education and Removal Event at Rose Oaks County Park on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. – noon. 

"The Japanese barberry event helps with Oakland County Parks and Recreation Natural Resource Management initiatives and at the same time provides the MIPC with important material to research and analyze,” Natural Resource Planner Brittany Bird said. “MIPC will use the removed barberry shrubs as part of a composting experiment to see if Japanese barberry seeds remain viable when composted. Results will be used to inform a model MIPC has developed to evaluate the potential invasiveness of plant species and their cultivars when introduced to Michigan’s natural communities.”

Japanese barberry is an ornamental shrub that exhibits invasive tendencies when introduced into Michigan’s natural communities. 

Participants will learn more about the shrub and gain hands-on experience removing barberry in the field. 

A light breakfast will be available. Participants are encouraged to bring leather gloves. Additional shrub removal tools will be provided. 

Reservation is required by Sept. 15 at 248-975-9717 or boydr@oakgov.com.  

Rose Oaks County Park is located at 1132 Fish Lake Road in Holly. 

For more information, visit DestinationOakland.com. 

Oakland County Parks and Recreation and the City of Southfield offer the U.S. Paralympic Academy Fall 2010 for individuals with physical disabilities from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Beech Wood Community Center.

“This is a great opportunity to get involved and develop new skills,” Sandy Dorey, recreation program supervisor – adaptive recreation, said.

Athletes, coaches and students are invited to participate in a hands-on clinic and exhibition games of wheelchair basketball, sled hockey and fencing.

Cost is $10/participant. Pre-registration and payment required by Wednesday, Sept. 15. 

Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers year-round junior sports teams for fencing and wheelchair basketball. Sled hockey is offered in cooperation with the Michigan Sled Dogs, a competitive traveling sled hockey team. 

For more information about the academy, contact Sandy Dorey at 248-858-7596 or doreys@oakgov.com; or Claudia Brewer at 248-796-4673 or orcbrewer@cityofsouthfield.com. 

Beech Wood Community Center is located at 22200 Beech in Southfield. 

For more information about Adaptive Recreation opportunities at Oakland County Parks and Recreation, or to register, visit DestinationOakland.com.

 

Oakland County Parks and Recreation and Metro North Chapter Michigan Mountain Biking Association present the Addison Oaks Fall Classic Chapter Benefit Race at Addison Oaks County Park on Sunday, Sept. 12. 

“This is a great opportunity for both experienced and first-time racers,” Marty Shue, secretary of the Metro North Chapter, said. “Addison Oaks has a great course and atmosphere for riders.”

Races are available for all ages and levels, including children, beginner, sport, expert and elite races. The course length is approximately seven miles. Laps vary with race category.

Race fees are $20 - $35, depending on participants’ registered category. Park entry is free for racers. An Annual Vehicle Permit or daily pass is required for visitors and spectators.

All riders can enjoy giveaways and free barbeque pork sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women in the elite category. 

On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. Start times vary with race category. To register online, visit www.bikereg.com/events. Online registration deadline is Sept. 10 at noon.

Proceeds go to the Metro North Chapter of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association. For more information, visit www.mmba.org and www.metronorth.mmba.org.

Addison Oaks County Park is located at 1480 West Romeo Road in Leonard. 

For more information about the course or Addison Oaks County Park, visit DestinationOakland.com.