STONY CREEK AND PERIPHERALS
Stony Creek Metropark is a complete recreational destination that has just about all you would want in a local park. It is located just North of Shelby Township with entrances from Shelby Road North of 25 Mile and off the South side of 26 Mile Road, just West of Mound Road. It actually is large enough to be situated in both Macomb and Oakland counties. Within this parks borders, live an amazing abundance of wildlife and fauna. Just about whatever animal you can mention that frequents or visits Southeast Michigan has been sighted here, which even includes the extremely rare Michigan Massasauga rattlesnake. A staggering variety of plant life compliments the array of creatures, offering many scenic vistas. There are miles of foot and biking trails that double as cross country trails during the snowy months. The park even offers a couple sledding hills during this time. With a huge inland lake that is decades old, not only do you have access to boating, swimming, and sailboating but also contains an abundance of fish species for the avid anglers out there. In fact the 2000 state record crappie was caught here. All the water that enters and passes through Stony comes from another great fishing spot to the North that will be regularly mentioned on the Fishing page: Lakeville lake, located in the village of Lakeville at the end of Rochester RD.
Multiple picnic areas, two beaches and both a frisbee and normal golf course make Stony Creek the number one park is our opinion. Stony offers many rental opportunities including aluminum boats and canoes, paddleboats, bicycles and cross country skis. If you have your own water vessel, Stony has a multiple dock boat launch and boat storage. There are excellent nature trails and a new nature center that is full of animals and interesting things. Additionally, there is a separate Osprey trail group where efforts have led to the release and successful management of the beautiful raptors they are named for. Stony also has extension foot trails that are not actually in the main park but are near by to the North called Inwood hiking trails. More on Stony
Nature Center Slide show
Wolcott Historical Mill and Farm Center
Even though it is farther than most other parks mentioned and is not in the immediate Shelby vicinity, it is worth the couple extra minutes driving for people with children interested in an actual Michigan dairy farm and those interested in historical sites. It is located in Ray Township off of Wolcott Road. The Farm Center has not only cows and a working dairy farm, but is a functioning farm with all the animals included. There are goats and sheep, chickens, bunnies, pigs, ponies and a donkey, geese, a turkey, some quail and pheasant, as well as several horses. Many activities are offered through out the year including a corn stalk maze and hay rides. The Mill has several trails and ponds, with the river running through it. It is set up as it was decades ago. The buildings are preserved and decorated with educational props. Short shows and historic re-enactments are often held here....more about Wolcott
Farm Center Slide show
Mill Slide show
The Shelby Township parks:
RIVER BENDS park System
These parks are loaded with an enormous amount of wildlife and natural scenery along with traditional park amenities. There are really three River Bends parks that are all connected. One has an entrance on the south side of 22 Mile just West of Shelby Road, the first Ryan park is off the East side of Ryan Road, just South of 22 Mile. The third is at the intersection of Ryan and Hamlin roads. The 22 Mile park has many attractions such as: picnic tables and shelters, multiple horseshoe pits, plays capes for the kids, a free frisbee golf course and both paved and unpaved foot and bike trails(including a densely wooded trail that is over 2 miles long). This park connects to the Burgess-Shadbush park by a bridge over the Clinton River to trails that lead to the soccer field and trap/archery range. The first Ryan park is smaller but offers handicapped accessibility for fishing the Clinton River and a small day camp area with an adjacent trail system, part of which has a wooden boardwalk that connects to the Burgess-Shadbush(Ryan & Hamlin) park through the nature center's lower trail. The second Ryan park or the Burgess-Shadbush park, has it's own nature center complete with trail systems. There is also sporting clay and archery ranges along with several picnic areas. It offers baseball diamonds, children's playscapes, basketball courts, a soccer field and even a skate park for bicycle, roller blade and skate board enthusiasts.
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HOLLAND PONDS
Located off the West side of Ryan just north of 22 Mile, Holland Ponds is wet land habitat hosting several trails and shallow, marshy pools along with a small woodland surrounding the river. This is a permanent and temporary home to many species of birds such as Blue and Night herons, White egrets, many sorts of migratory song birds and all kinds of waterfowl. Sightings of deer, beaver, weasel, muskrat, multiple turtle and snake species are common. The Clinton River flows from Yates through the rear of the park with the Detroit Sportsman's Congress right across the river. The river continues through all of Holland Ponds and the River Bends park system. Slide show
SHELBY MUNICIPAL GROUNDS
Yet another Shelby park with playscapes, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and a fishing pond. Located Southeast of the 24 Mile and Van Dyke intersection, these grounds have 2 entrances off of the South side of 24 Mile Road and one off the East side of Van Dyke called Jack Millard Boulevard. The municipal grounds include a section besides the pond called Heritage Garden. Weddings and other social activities are held here. In front of the municipal building is the Veteran's Memorial commemorating our brave members of the Armed Forces. There is an amphitheater where concerts and shows are performed regularly as well as art and other shows, which are held on these premises too. Included on site are historic objects such as an old train, schoolhouse and church. Shelby Township's fishing derby is held here annually. Slide show
For more information on these and other Shelby Township parks, Click Here!
Other places not so far away!
Yates and Bloomer
Dodge
Borden
Spencer
Macomb Orchard Trail
Clinton River Trails
Cinton River North
Lakeville Lake
Bald Mountain
Metamora-Hadley
Metro Beach Besides having the normal Metropark amenities, Metro offers excellent access to Lake St. Clair and Anchor Bay for fishing and boating. The coast surrounding Metro offers decent shore and off shore fishing. Boat docks and the walls are good places to start.
Sterling Heights Nature Center has a real nice facility (slide show) along with foot trails, some connecting to the Clinton River trail system.
