Springfield Township

Exploration of the Davisburg State Wildlife Area

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WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

Situational Awareness. That is the one item you must have with you before setting foot in the Davisburg State Wildlife Area. Never heard of this beautiful wildland gem in Springfield Township? Most people have not. If you are looking for a place with a trail system, signage, established parking lots, creature comforts, and other hikers, this is not the place for you. Want to get lost? This might be the place. The landscape has diverse terrain with rolling hills, abundant wetlands, including murky soils that can just about suck boots off your feet, an icy cold stream, a wooded swamp, a hidden lake and excellent habitat for our federally protected swamp rattler, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. And don’t forget patches of poison sumac at a face-slapping height and skin-scratching thorns. Continue reading →

Donate to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Coats for the Cold

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Four young girls bundled up in winter coats drinking hot chocolate.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is accepting donations for the 31st annual “Coats for the Cold” coat drive from November 1st to November 30th. Clean, gently-used or new coats can be dropped off at one of their drop-off sites around Oakland County. All Oakland County locations of Real Estate One HQ and Genisys Credit Union are drop-off sites. Additionally, donors will receive up to $50 off the cost of a pet adoption ($10 per donated coat, up to five coats) at the Oakland County Pet Adoption Center.

For a list of all drop-off sites, click the button below:

Coats for the Cold Drop-Off Sites

Donated coats will be sent to various local charitable organizations who distribute the coats to community members in need.

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Autumn Beauty on an Oakland County Trail

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A cement path winds down through a heavily wooded area. Foliage is turning from green to shades of yellow and orange. A deer stands near a tree and is almost hidden as its color blends in with the foliage around it.

As the leaves transition to shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the air gains a crisp autumn edge, there is no better time to venture along one of Oakland County’s many scenic trails. To find the best place to take a walk in nature, check out our list by clicking on the button below:

List of Nature Trails in Oakland County

You can also check out the Oakland County Trail Viewer, an interactive map developed by Oakland County’s award-winning GIS team. Each trail is marked using brown lines, while green icons represent parks. When a trail is selected, the map allows you to reference both its length and elevation. When users click on a park icon, its name, size, website, and other helpful information will appear.

From the paved paths at Groveland Oaks in Holly to the expansive trails at Waterford Oaks, you are sure to find the perfect nature trail for you using our list and interactive map.

Do you have a favorite trail in the Oakland County area? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter, by contacting us at socialmedia@oakgov.com, or leaving a comment below.

Visit the Oakland County website, and follow along us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest for more news and fun year round. Join the conversation using #OaklandCounty.

Summer Camps and Outdoor Fun in Oakland County

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

School is out and that means kids all around Oakland County are searching for fun activities to keep them entertained. Luckily, there are a wide variety of summer camps and outdoor entertainment happening in our area. Whether they’re interested in boating down a steady stream, hiking in the hills, crafting pieces of art, or practicing robotics indoors, communities in Oakland County have something for everyone.

For a complete list of summer camps and outdoor activities, visit our master list below.

List of Summer Camps and Outdoor Fun in Oakland County

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Swimming Under the Oakland County Sun

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Oakland County is home to a huge variety of perfect swimming spots where we can cool off during the hot summer weather. Plenty of parks lay lakeside and house beautiful beaches, such as Groveland Oaks County Park in Holly or Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston. If you prefer pools, you can find a pool at Civic Center Park in Southfield or the Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights. If you do like the sand, and are looking for adventure, you can find splash pads and water obstacles at the WhoaZone at Heron Beach in Holly or the Indian Springs Metropark in White Lake. 

For a complete list of swimming spots across Oakland County, visit our master list using the button below.

List of Swimming Spots in Oakland County

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