West Bloomfield Township

Oakland County College Series: Cranbrook Academy of Art

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

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Cranbrook Academy of Art, located in Bloomfield Hills, is one of the nation’s leading graduate schools of art, architecture, and design. It has been home to some of the world’s most renowned artists and features a world-class museum devoted exclusively to modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design. Cranbrook Academy of Art is like no other program in the United States and is based on the idea that Artists-in-Residence, their families, and students live and work in close proximity. Each year, just 75 students are invited to study and live on the landmark Saarinen-designed campus. Continue reading →

West Bloomfield Woods: Natural, Wild and Free

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

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“Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher ‘standard of living’ is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free.” Aldo Leopold, 1948. His words hold equally true today for those that cherish the West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve, a 162 acre, heavily wooded natural gem nestled between hills and palatial homes in highly developed, suburban West Bloomfield Township. The heron rookery that drew so much attention and praise in the 1990s is gone, and now exists just in old photos and memories. Jennifer Tucker, the new Executive Director of West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation, is correct when she states, “The West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve is our own little bit of Up North right here in West Bloomfield. We are very lucky to have a place that our patrons can get active in and enjoy right here in their community.” Thousands would agree with her. Continue reading →

Bullfrogs and Green Frogs: Ambush Hunters of the Wetlands

Oakland County, MI Government 7 Comments

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

IMG_3138The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is the largest frog species of Oakland County, or for that matter anywhere in North America. Some specimens weigh over a pound and may be 10 inches long. They are a meaty mouthful for many predators and a slippery handful for a naturalist. Several years ago I encountered a Goliath of a bullfrog along the West Bloomfield Trail, a beauty of a beast, blocked from its wetland by construction screening. After a quick photo shoot, I carried him to freedom and have been a fan of these beauties ever since.

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The Adventure Park at West Bloomfield

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

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If you’re looking for an aerial adventure, you won’t have to go far! The Adventure Park at West Bloomfield opens for the season this Friday, April 22nd. Grab your friends and family and spend the day making your way through more than 100 platforms and zip lining through five wooded acres in their amazing ‘aerial forest park’. The trails are designed for everyone to enjoy and are designated by color to indicate skill level.

Take a look at our video and see for yourself all of the fun that’s in store.

Are you ready to spend the day climbing through the trees at The Adventure Park in West Bloomfield? Reservations are required for all tickets so be sure to reserve your climb time online.

For more information on rules, pricing, groups and FAQs, call 248-419-1550 or visit The Adventure Park online. Follow along with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for aerial forest news and fun photos all season long.

For the latest county news and events, visit our website and use #OaklandCounty on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.