Willow Metropark is a park in the
Huron-Clinton Metroparks system, located on the banks of the
Huron River
The Huron River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed November 7, 2011 river in southeastern Michigan, rising out of the Huron Swamp in Springfield Township in north ...
between
Lower Huron Metropark
Lower Huron Metropark is a park in the Huron-Clinton system of metro parks in Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is a major metropolitan area in the U.S. State of Michigan, consisting of the city ...
to the northwest and Oakwoods Metropark to the southeast. The park consists of a wide variety of trails and recreational areas, including an 18-hole golf course, the Washago Pond, hike/bike trails, a
disc golf
Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf. Most disc golf discs are made out of polypropylene plastic, otherwise known as polypropene, which ...
course,a children's play area, a pool, and a kayak/canoe launch, in addition to groomed
cross country ski
Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreation ...
trails in the winter months.
Bike Trails
In total, approximately 4.5 miles of trails run through the park, all of which are part of the Downriver Linked Greenways System.
* The main route runs primarily along the
Huron River
The Huron River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed November 7, 2011 river in southeastern Michigan, rising out of the Huron Swamp in Springfield Township in north ...
, the most direct trail between the entrance to
Oakwoods Metropark
Oakwoods Metropark is a park in the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system, located along the Huron River near Flat Rock, Michigan. The park consists several miles of bike trails, numerous nature trails, horse trails, a canoe and kayak launch, and a Nat ...
at the south end of the park and the entrance to
Lower Huron Metropark
Lower Huron Metropark is a park in the Huron-Clinton system of metro parks in Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is a major metropolitan area in the U.S. State of Michigan, consisting of the city ...
at the opposite end.
* A secondary bypass route begins slightly north of Willow Road, traversing a combination of wooded areas and meadows for about two miles before intersecting the main trail at Washago Pond.
* Two other shorter segments cross the center portion of the park, one of which connects the western bypass trail with the main trail, with the other starting at the bypass trail and running northward into the pool area.
Canoeing and Kayaking
There is one entry point for small crafts on the
Huron River
The Huron River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed November 7, 2011 river in southeastern Michigan, rising out of the Huron Swamp in Springfield Township in north ...
, located at the Big Bend picnic area along the main bike route. From here, paddlers can paddle upstream towards
Lower Huron Metropark
Lower Huron Metropark is a park in the Huron-Clinton system of metro parks in Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is a major metropolitan area in the U.S. State of Michigan, consisting of the city ...
and
New Boston or downstream towards
Oakwoods Metropark
Oakwoods Metropark is a park in the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system, located along the Huron River near Flat Rock, Michigan. The park consists several miles of bike trails, numerous nature trails, horse trails, a canoe and kayak launch, and a Nat ...
and
Flat Rock, though portaging is eventually necessary downstream to get around the
Flat Rock Dam.
Gallery
Image:willow_metropark_willow_pool_activity_center.JPG, Willow Pool Activity Center
Image:willow_metropark_children's_play_area.JPG, Children's play area
Image:willow_metropark_food_bar.JPG, Food bar
Image:willow_metropark_picnic_area.JPG, Picnic Area
References
External links
Huron-Clinton Metroparks
Huron–Clinton Metroparks
Protected areas of Wayne County, Michigan
Huron River (Michigan)
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