Stony Creek Metropark

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Stony Creek Metropark is a Huron-Clinton Metropark located predominantly in Washington Township, MI and Oakland Charter Township, MI, with a small portion in Shelby Township, MI. The park covers 4,461 acres (1,805 ha) with a large lake at it's center.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Stony Creek Metropark completely surrounds a man-made lake built by damming Stony Creek, a tributary of the Clinton River. Stoney Creek drains 72 square miles (116 km²) of northern Oakland County and the lake formed from the dams covers 500 acres (200 ha).

Stony Creek Metropark is situated on a moraine which makes for varied landscape. The park has forests, hills, prairies, as well as swamps. The park is also relatively high above sea level, 875 feet (267 m) at the park office, and the highest point in Macomb County is located within the park.


[edit] Activities

Stony Creek has a vast amount of trails in four different locations around the park. There are 14 miles (22.5 km) of mountain biking/hiking trails located on the grounds of a former estate, of which the foundations are still visible. There are another 8.5 miles (13.7 km) of hiking trails near the nature center, and over 6 miles (10 km) of foot trails near Inwood lake. Additionally, there is a 6.2 mile (10 km) paved trail that circles Stony Creek lake which is popular with joggers, inline-skaters, and bicyclists.

Stony Creek Metropark also has:

  • A 6,981-yard, 18-hole golf course
  • Snowboarding, sledding and tobogganning hills
  • Two beaches on Stony Creek lake, one of which (Eastwood) features life guards
  • Picnic areas with basketball courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, and beach volleyball courts
  • Nature center
  • Ice skating rink
  • 24-hole disc golf course
  • Boat launch
  • Rowboats, paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks available for rent
  • Cross country skiing trails and ski rentals

[edit] Wildlife

The park is reestablishing an osprey population in south-eastern Michigan. There are also wild turkeys, deer, and other animals one can expect in south-east Michigan in the park. Birding is encouraged with the nature center maintaining a species list.

[edit] Tara Lynn Grant Murder

In early 2007, some body parts of Tara Lynn Grant were found hidden in the forest at Stony Creek. They were discovered by the Macomb County Sheriff Department during the manhunt for Stephen Grant.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Police Search for Tara Grant's Body Parts. The Detroit Free Press. Retrieved on March 7, 2007.

[edit] External Links

Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Clinton River Watershed Council