January 3, 19 & 27, February 2, 10, 16 and March 1 & 9
Oakland County Parks Ski School at Independence Oaks. Inclusive cross-country ski clinics (conditions permitting), noon - 2 p.m. Cost: $10/person; $15 with ski rental. Pre-registration one week in advance, includes park entry fee. Call 625.0877.
January-March Oakland County Parks Snowshoe Schools, Jan. 12 & 20; and Feb. 9 & 17 at Waterford Oaks. Jan. 26; and Feb. 3, 9, & 23; and March 2 at Addison Oaks. Snowshoe clinic (conditions permitting), noon - 2 p.m. cost $10 /person; includes instruction and use of snowshoes. Pre-registration one week in advance, includes park entry fee. Call 858.0916.
Jan. 5 Snow Much Fun, 2 - 4 p.m. Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks. Spend an afternoon playing in the snow! Come to the nature center to discover just how fun snow can be! There will be snow activities, T-shirt printing, a crackling campfire and hot cocoa to help keep warm. Program takes place snow or no snow. Bring along a light-colored, pre-washed T-shirt for printing. $2.50/person. Prepay to register. Call 625.6473.
January 19 The Big Chill, A Teens Outside Event, 1 - 7 p.m. Independence Oaks. Ages 11-17. Winter bonfire party, s'mores, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snow hut building, sledding snowboating (sledding in kayaks, broomball, winter kickball, stone soup and hot chocolate. $30/person. Pre-registration required. Call 858.1486.
Feb. 9 Winter Star Party, 8 - 10 p.m. Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks. Winter's crisp, clear skies can be great for star gazing. Orion the Hunter and Taurus the Bull will lead the way for us! Explore the night sky during an indoor Starlab planetarium show. The evening will also include telescope viewing (weather permitting) with the Oakland Astronomy Club, a craft and snack. Suitable for school-age children and adults. $2/person. Prepay to register. Call 625.6473.
Feb. 16 Arctic Adventure, 9 a.m. - noon, Independence Oaks. Michigan's Free Winter Fishing Weekend. No fishing license required! Ask the experts; learn about winter safety; make a fishing pole; or enter the snow fish building contest. $5/person. Pre-registration is required. Call 858.0916.
February 23 Women in the Wilderness Winter Play Day, Addison Oaks. Noon - 6 p.m. Winter campsite demo with bonfire. Snowshoeing, snowhut building, snowboating (sledding in kayaks) make your own survival kit, broomball, stone soup and warm drinks. $45/person plus one type of vegetable to add to the soup! For more information, call 858.1486. Pre-registration required. Registration form.
March 8 Maple Magic, 10 - 11:30 a.m. OR 1:30 - 3 p.m. Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks. Days above freezing and chilly nights, that's the time to make some maple magic! As the trees start to run sap, learn the syrup process as the pioneer did it, take a walk to see a tap, make a simple maple craft and sample some delicious maple products. $2/person. Prepay to register.
January - March Winter Fishing Tournaments, Addison Oak, Independence Oaks and Orion Oaks. January, February and March monthly contests. Prizes are awarded at the end of each month for the biggest fish caught (length plus weight). Catch and release is encouraged, however fish may be kept if legal (see MDNR rules). Anglers must register their catch at the boathouse drop box (Addison and Independence) or at the Lake 16 drop box for Orion Oaks. Valid Michigan fishing license required. Oakland County Parks daily or annual vehicle permit is required.
Chill out at The Fridge,
Michigan's only refrigerated toboggan run at Waterford Oaks!
Events at the Fridge
All events take place at The Fridge, Waterford Oaks County Park. Please dress according to the weather. You must have gloves or mittens to ride. Open mid-December through mid-March, weather permitting. When temperatures fluctuate, please be sure to call ahead for The Fridge conditions. Call 248.975.4440.
January 11 and February 15 Midnight Tobogganing, 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. Bonfire, smores, and hot chocolate.
January 17 Fun Fridge Films, Ice Age II, 7 p.m. Free popcorn!
February 28 Fun Fridge Films, Happy Feet, 7 p.m. Free Popcorn!
January 30 and February 8 Get Your Game On, 4 - 9:30 p.m. Games and prizes will be provided.
Catalpa Oaks
27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield
248.858.0906 for park information
Hours: 8 a.m. - sunset, daily
No restroom or warming areas available
Independence Oaks 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston (2 1/2 miles north of I-75, exit 89)
248.625.0877
Hours: 8 a.m.- sunset or as posted, daily (park closed Christmas Day)
"The best groomed cross-country trails in southeast Michigan are at Independence Oaks" says Hour Detroit Magazine's 2007 Best Winter Getaways List! The List specifically lauds the Ted Gray Trail.
Glen Oaks Golf Course
13 Mile Road between Orchard Lake and Middlebelt roads in Farmington Hills
248.851.8356
Hours: Gates open when conditions are favorable. Call for update.
Open cross-country skiing for those with own equipment (no grooming or designated trails).
Open ONLY December 26, 2007 - January 13, 2008 for Christmas tree recycling
Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., daily
Highland Oaks 6555 North Milford Road
Highland Township
248.858.0906
Hours: 8 a.m. - sunset or as posted, daily
Daily pass or annual vehicle permit required (please purchase prior to arrival, as permits are not always available at the park)
1.5 mile mowed trail
Mountain biking, hiking, equestrian
Open cross-country skiing for those with own equipment (no grooming)
Portable toilets available
No warming areas available
Lyon Oaks
52251 Pontiac Trail, Wixom
(between Old Plank and Wixom roads)
248.437.1488
Hours: Open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset (Closed Christmas Day)
Rose Oaks
Fish Lake Road, north of Rose Center Road, Rose Township
248.858.0906 for park information
Hours: 8 a.m. - sunset, daily
Daily pass or annual vehicle permit required (please purchase prior to arrival, as permits are not always available at the park)
Open cross-country skiing for those with own equipment (no grooming)
Ice fishing, hiking
No warming areas available
Portable toilets available
Springfield Oaks Golf Course and Activity Center
Andersonville Road near Hall Road in Davisburg, 8 miles west of Dixie Highway
248.625.2540 (Golf Course)
248.634.8830 (Activity Center)
Golf Course Hours: Gates open when conditions are favorable. Call 625.2540 for update.
Open cross-country skiing on grounds of park and activity center for those with own equipment (no grooming or designated trails) Call 248.634.7899 for hours and details.
No restroom or warming areas available
Waterford Oaks
1702 Scott Lake Road, Waterford (between Dixie Highway & Pontiac Lake Road)
248.858.0906
Hours: 8 a.m. - sunset, daily
Hiking
Cleared asphalt trails are ideal for a good walking workout. The 1.5-miles of trail parallels the road to Lookout Lodge and loops through wooded areas to connect at the top of The Fridge - Michigan's only refrigerated toboggan run. Restrooms and warming area available.
Sledding A lighted sledding hill is located near The Fridge toboggan run. Bring your own sled.
Court Games Complex Two outdoor courts are home to the cold weather edition of racquet sports - Platform Tennis.Platform Tennis -- Played October through mid-April on two lighted, heated courts, platform tennis is a game of finesse and accuracy versus speed and strength. Rules differ from tennis with one serve and use of screening to keep the ball in play -- club members are available for demonstrations. New members are welcome throughout the season. Open play for members is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. - 11 p.m., seven days a week, based on availability. Full and half-season memberships available. For information on the Waterford Oaks Paddle Club, call Betsy Hodges at 248.645.9671 or Jay Reynolds at 248.742.8871.
White Lake Oaks Golf Course
Williams Lake Road, just south of M-59, near Pontiac
248.698.2700
Hours: Gates open when conditions are favorable. Call for update.
Open cross-country skiing for those with own equipment (no grooming or designated trails)
Recycle trees at 10 locations:
Addison Oaks near Oxford; Glen Oaks in Farmington Hills; Groveland Oaks near Holly; Independence Oaks near Clarkston; Lyon Oaks in Lyon Township; Orion Oaks in Orion Township; Red Oaks Golf Course in Madison Heights; Springfield Oaks Activity Center in Davisburg; Waterford Oaks Activity Center in Waterford; and White Lake Oaks in White Lake Township.
December 26-January 13 Free Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling, seven days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Please remove all decorations, metal, plastic and string.
December 26-January 27 Free Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling, seven days, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Independence Oaks (Pine Grove parking lot) and Orion Oaks (Clarkston Rd. parking lot) only.
