MADISON HEIGHTS — Civic Center Park has a shiny new playscape, made possible with a $70,000 grant, and it’s just the latest in a series of carefully considered purchases for the parks.

BIRMINGHAM — Crestview Park in Birmingham is now home to pickleball courts for the community to enjoy. These facilities have been a topic for discussion and highly requested by the community since around 2018, officials said.

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — The public can enjoy the sounds of jazz, country and classical music in two township parks this summer.

ROCHESTER HILLS — The community’s first inclusive and accessible playground has some new play features for all ages and abilities to enjoy this summer at Innovation Hills Park.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A Grosse Pointe Woods neighborhood park is about to get a makeover.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation recently announced the awarding of $800,000 in grants to 36 organizations through the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Funds.

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.

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — The public is invited to celebrate and explore the township’s new trailhead at Paint Creek Junction Park, north of Adams and Orion roads, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Paint Creek Trail.

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — The Paint Creek Trail was recently recognized by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as the state’s latest Pure Michigan Trail, joining only 10 other designees statewide.

WESTERN OAKLAND COUNTY — Local residents who like the thought of taking a walk, going for a jog or enjoying a bike ride on the trails recently had something to celebrate.

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — The public is invited to celebrate and explore the township’s newest 234-acre nature preserve later this month.

STERLING HEIGHTS — The wheels are turning on a plan to potentially increase the size of Rotary Park.

NOVI — The Novi City Council unanimously approved the purchase of 3.93 acres of land, located at 25901 Beck Road, from Novi Funeral Home LLC, during its regular meeting March 20.

ROCHESTER HILLS — Avondale Park will be getting some improvements this summer, though the projects are more than 30% over budget.

PLEASANT RIDGE — Lighting soon will be coming to Pleasant Ridge’s dog park.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — As winter gives way to spring, the Macomb Township Board of Trustees signed off on a list of repairs and improvements throughout the township at its March 22 meeting.

FERNDALE — Ferndale will be making some big upgrades to one of its parks starting this spring.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The St. Clair Shores Senior Activity Center gained 450 members since this time last year, according to Senior Center Coordinator Matthew Hubinsky.

TROY — Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department officials are asking Troy residents for their input regarding the future of a 70-acre land parcel known as Turtle Woods.

TROY — The city of Troy announced its Community Development Block Grant fund distributions for 2023 after the City Council unanimously approved them at their regular meeting Jan. 23.