By: Kathryn Pentiuk | Metro | Published May 24, 2023
METRO DETROIT — As promised, the April showers brought May flowers, the sun is here to stay, and Michiganders are rising from hibernation to enjoy the outdoors.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks officials are reminding metro Detroiters that they don’t have to travel too far to appreciate the Pure Michigan wilderness. The metroparks offer a range of outdoor activities across 13 parks, and over 400 miles of paved and unpaved trails. These activities include walking, running, hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, in-line skating, paddling, mountain biking, hand cycling, fat tire biking, and more.
This year, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks invite outdoor enthusiasts and novices alike to partake in the metroparks’ Trail Challenge May 1 to Sept. 30 — with registration up until Sept. 23. Registration costs $25 per person, and each participant will receive a custom water bottle and passport with information on the metroparks. The challenge allows participants to log miles, enjoy the parks and set trail goals.
Each metropark has a designated Challenge Trail in which there is a signage kiosk where people can log their miles and post selfies to the leaderboard. Each Challenge Trail earns a badge. Once someone has visited three Metroparks, they earn a custom metroparks insulated lunch bag. If they visit all 13 metroparks, they receive a 2024 metroparks annual vehicle pass, which is a $40 value for residents living in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. For nonresidents, the value is $45.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks Marketing Specialist Hilary Simmet explained that the idea was born out of a community survey that was conducted last year in which they asked what programs and activities metroparks visitors were looking for. One of the common responses they received was the desire for some form of a walking club.
“We had a committee and brainstormed about opportunities and what we could do. We wanted to create some kind of trail challenge, but we wanted to make sure that there was an added incentive or something that made ours a little bit different than other trail challenges,” Simmet said.
Simmet stated that between the 13 metroparks, there’s something for everyone. Her personal favorite is a tossup between Indian Springs and Huron Meadows, because they have fewer recreational amenities and focus more on getting back to nature with their trails. “It’s just nice to be able to go out there and connect with nature.”
Simmet added that the Huron-Clinton Metroparks have kayak and canoe liveries at Lake St. Clair, Oakwoods and Delhi, connecting with Hudson Mills and Dexter-Huron for those looking to get out on the water and log their miles that way.
For avid mountain bikers, Simmet recommended Stony Creek as, within the last few years, they’ve added trails specifically for mountain biking, which are also handcycle accessible on two of the loops.
Though Simmet asserted that all the metroparks are kid-friendly, Lower Huron might be the most appealing because of the brand-new space-themed playground and the Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center, with two waterslides and a lazy river.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks Ambassador Erika Culey’s favorite of the metroparks is Willow. Culey stated that it holds a special place in her heart.
“That’s one that I grew up going to when I was a kid. My parents would take me to the metroparks, and we would bike through it every single Saturday. I think it’s just the nostalgia that gets me.”
Culey became a Metroparks Ambassador after seeing applications on Instagram last year. She knew she’d be right for the role because of her love for the parks. As part of her role, she posts monthly on ways she’s getting outside and enjoying the parks.
Culey describes herself as an “avid biker” and is excited to see other bikers out on the challenge trails with her. Her advice for those who aren’t familiar with the metroparks is to start getting out there.
“Find a metropark closest to you. You can do the daily pass, and then you can always cash those in for the annual pass. And really, all the trails are easily accessible. They’re paved. So pretty much anyone can access them,” Culey said.
For more information on the Trail Challenge, visit metroparks.com/trailchallenge.