While many may seek refuge from the raging winter snow and cold cuddled up indoors under warm blankets enjoying a hot beverage, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy being outdoors in the winter, amongst the many birds and trees that make Michigan so beautiful. At first thought, visiting a park in the middle of winter may seem a bit farfetched, however, parks can provide many fun and unique opportunities for recreation even without beaches, playgrounds, or barbecues. Parks like Kensington Metropark in Milford, MI is the perfect example of a great place to spend an afternoon outside enjoying the snow and sharing Little Trees with friends. Created in 1947, Kensington Metropark covers 4,543 acres and is open year-round. With that much space, everyone is bound to find a reason to love this park.
Upon arriving at Kensington, one of the first things visitors will notice is the expansive Kent Lake which stretches the entire length of the park. As you drive around the winding roads within the park, Kent Lake is almost always in sight, making Kensington a wonderful destination to cruise around and sightsee with friends or family. While soaking in the views on your drive make sure to watch for the numerous animal species that call Kensington home in the cold winter months. At Kensington, It's not uncommon to see a herd of deer crossing the road, mallards fighting over a small unfrozen patch of water, or chipmunks dancing between the trees searching for their buried nuts.
Whether visiting alone or bringing the whole family along for the ride, Kensington has many recreation opportunities for everyone to enjoy. Is there a few inches of fresh snow on the ground from an overnight snowstorm? Pack the sleds and skis and head over to Kensington, where there’s 12 miles of groomed cross country skiing trails. For the first timers or those who forgot to pack them, the Ski Center offers equipment rentals to ensure you have the best time possible.
One of the more popular places to visit at Kensington is their Nature Center. Located at the west side of the park, the Nature Center is open 1-5p.m. on Mondays and 10am-5pm Tuesday through Sunday. Here, park interpreters are available to answer any questions you might have about the live animals that live there like snakes, turtles, and Ranger the red-tailed hawk. It’s also a great place to go for a leisurely walk on some of the 7 miles of trail spanning the park. When visiting the Nature Center, make sure to bring along some bird seed to get an up close view of the bird species living in the park.
Another wonderful perk about visiting a park in the winter is the lack of crowds. In stark contrast to the overwhelming number of people who flock to parks like Kensington for their 4th of July celebrations, the arrival of the snow and cold keeps many people away from the park making it a perfect place to go for peace, quiet, and contemplation.
Whatever you decide to do with your time at Kensington Metropark, remember to bring your Little Trees along for the adventure. Making memories with those we cherish most among the expansive beauty of the natural world is a beautiful thing and Kensington is a wonderful place to do so. Just be sure to bring along a designated driver to get you home safe after your day of adventure at Kensington Metropark.
Written by Jillian Felton. Photos and Video by Jillian Felton & Alec Gerstenberger.
Comments