Natural oasis in Madison Heights

Posted by DominiqueKing | Filed under eco, fitness, pets

Do you have just half an hour to spare between meetings or after work and want to take a quick walk? Is the dog park full of mud, or is the park behind your house a swampy mess? Do you just want to enjoy a little patch of quiet, green space away from the crowded city streets without having to battle at least an hour’s worth of heavy traffic to get there?
Then check out one of my favorite hidden gems in the area—the nature trails at George W. Suarez Friendship Woods and Nature Center in Madison Heights.

Madison Heights,Michigan

You’ll find the Woods and Nature Center only a block north of busy 13 Mile Road between John R and Dequindre, but strolling the tranquil trail system can make you feel as if you momentarily stepped into a northern Michigan woods.

Read more about the trails after the jump
The Detroit area has many nice nature centers, but the Madison Heights center is my favorite because it retains much of its natural ambience while being easily accessible and close to home.
The asphalted 1-1/3 mile trail system makes it an especially good choice for casual walkers when soggy ground, especially in early spring, makes walking on unpaved trails a messy proposition. The paved, flat trail also makes it an accessible option for wheelchair users or others with mobility challenges.
I like the asphalt surface because it is more comfortable than walking on regular hard concrete sidewalks in the neighborhood.
The trails also become an option for cross country skiers when we get enough snow—making it a true four-season trail.
The trails also seem especially popular with dog owners, because I always see dogs walking their owners when I walk the trail myself!
Pets require a leash, and there are small boxes with plastic bags for use to pick up doggie droppings at the trailheads.

Madison Heights,Michigan

The log cabin Nature Center has displays featuring animals common to the area plus meeting areas and a small auditorium for the center’s educational activities. A coordinator, naturalist and crew of volunteers care for the trails and keep the center open six days a week (closed Mondays).
The popular Nature Center averages 115 visitors per day and 31,000 visitors per year, according their Web site. However, I’ve walked the trails at many different times of day and on different days of the week, and I’ve never seen them crowded.
The trails remain open seven days a week, usually from 8:30 a.m. until sunset. The posted closing time, which varies with sunset times, is on a sign as you enter the center’s parking lot.
The 37-1/2 acre woods and center opened in 1996 and bears the name of a long-time Madison Heights mayor and county commissioner.
The center has a great schedule of activities, especially for families or anyone who has to entertain a young niece or nephew. Organized center programs include guided nature walks with the naturalist, night sky observation with a local astronomer, maple syrup tapping, honey harvesting, movies and hot dog lunches where volunteers do the grilling.
I drop into the center building once in a great while, but mostly I enjoy the trails through the Suarez Friendship Woods as my own little 30-minute respite from hectic city life.
What are you favorite quick escapes from busy urban life around town?

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Permalink | June 7th, 2009

6 Responses to “Natural oasis in Madison Heights”

  1. Brandon Miller Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    Thanks for the tip–I hadn’t heard about this place. Is it mostly for walkers, or are there any runners as well? Looking for some good running trails in the neighborhood . . .

  2. DominiqueKing Says:
    June 9th, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Brandon-It’s really more of a walking trail, but it’s a nice change of pace from walking around city streets that you cab get to without driving the an hour or so. The entire system is about 1-1/3 miles, so it probably wouldn’t be long enough for much of a run. I’ve always really liked it as a post-work walk or for a short, mid-day break.

  3. Eric Brown Says:
    June 27th, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    Wow Dominique, We just found this little oasis, what a cool place for a quick hike, and its less than ten minutes from our home. Very cool find, thanks for blogging about it!

  4. DominiqueKing Says:
    June 28th, 2009 at 1:19 am

    Eric-Glad you liked the trails. I first found them because I worked in Madison Heights…plus the center is only about 10 minutes from where I live, too.

  5. Brandon Joerges Says:
    August 3rd, 2009 at 7:29 am

    For those with young kids, friendship woods is also a great bike path. Make sure your child does have good bike control as they will certainly pass people walking (often with dogs). Not a place for a fast ride, but a slow family cruise merits big smiles in a very safe And beautiful environment.

  6. DominiqueKing Says:
    August 3rd, 2009 at 9:57 am

    Good point about the bike riding, Brandon. It’s not a place for a fast ride, but for younger kids or those wanting a leisurely ride through the woods…it’s perfect.

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