Parks and Recreation Areas
Chelsea ·
Dexter ·
Saline
Albert J. Miller Preserve
Twelve undeveloped acres next to Smith Woods Preserve (see below). Entrance on Dexter-Chelsea Rd. at Parker.
Brauer Preserve
Parker Road south of Scio Church
Small lake, hardwood swamp and upland woods on 187 acres. Trails are under development.
Delhi Metropark
3902 E. Delhi [
map]
(734) 426-8211
This 53-acre park is a popular picnic destination and a handy spot to launch a canoe. Restrooms with running water. Shelters can be reserved. Metroparks entrance fees: $5/day, $25/year ($15 for seniors age 62 & over). Canoe rentals: Skip's Huron River Canoe Livery (see Recreational Facilities & Organizations, below). metroparks.com
Dexter village parks
Community Park has a playground, walking path, picnic areas, sports field, and a gazebo. First Street Park (Horseshoe Park), at the end of Edison off Second, has 10 horseshoe pits and picnic areas. Monument Park, downtown, has a gazebo and the site of many public events. Peace Park, on Ann Arbor St. at Inverness, commemorates efforts for world peace. Warrior Creek Park, behind the fire station, is along Mill Creek at an ideal kayaking spot with rapids; it has picnic tables, playground equipment, grills, and a walkway under the Main Street bridge. Lions Park-named in recognition of the Dexter Lions Club-has a small gazebo and benches. The new Mill Creek Park is currently under development at the site of the former Main St. dam, removed in 2008.
Dexter-Huron Metropark
6535 Huron River Dr [
map]
(734) 426-8211
A wooded 123-acre park with 3 picnic areas and a softball diamond. restrooms with running water. Shelters can be reserved. See Delhi Metropark, above, for fees. metroparks.com
Hudson Mills Metropark
8801 North Territorial [
map]
(734) 426-8211
With 1,600 acres, Hudson Mills has picnic areas, an 18-hole golf course (see Recreational Facilities & Organizations, below), 6 miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing, cross-country ski rentals and trails, restrooms with running water, and two 24-hole regulation disc golf courses. See Delhi Metropark listing, above, for fees. metroparks.com
Independence Lake County Park
3200 Jennings Rd., Webster Twp [
map]
(734) 449-4437
Within its 404 acres, Independence has lakeshore, pond, wetland, and native prairie ecosystems. It has 2 sandy beaches and swimming areas, a play field, a 2-mile paved multiuse trail, nature trails, 4 picnic shelters, boat rentals, a small-boat launch, a fishing pier, a concession stand, an 18-hole disc golf course, and restrooms. A water play area will open in 2012. Call to reserve pavilion or beach center meeting room. Vehicle entrance fees: county residents $5/day ($2.50 for age 65 & over), $25/year; nonresidents $9/day ($5 for age 65 & over), $45/year.
Pinckney State Recreation Area
8555 Silver Hill [
map]
(734) 426-4913
See listing in Chelsea section, p.00. mich.gov/dnr
Smith Woods Preserve
Dexter-Chelsea Rd. at Parker
Undeveloped, marshy 17-acre nature area with rough trails.
Stinchfield Woods
entrance on the north side of North Territorial Rd., just west of Dexter-Pinckney Rd.
A favorite among woods walkers and cross-country skiers. Ungroomed ski trails converge on the top of Peach Mountain. Steep grades; not for novices.
West Lake Preserve
216-acre parcel on Waterloo Road in Dexter Township. The property includes frontage on the south side of West Lake as well as a wide range of habitats from wetland, open water, shoreline to upland forest and open fields.
Next Section: Dexter Recreational Facilities And Organizations