Winter Activities

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Winter Activities at a Glance

Where can I cross-country ski?

Winter Special Events

Ice Fishing

The Fridge, refrigerated toboggan run

Winter activities by park

Christmas tree recycling drop-off sites

Winter Activities at a Glance

Click to see a chart of winter activities.

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Where can I cross-country ski?

• Independence Oaks offers 10 miles of groomed and marked trails, plus ski rentals. Cross-country ski lessons available -- see special events below
• Addison Oaks has 6 miles of marked trails (not groomed) for those with own equipment
• Open skiing for those with own equipment available at Highland Oaks,  Orion Oaks and Rose Oaks, as well as Glen Oaks, Red Oaks, and White Lake Oaks golf courses. (No groomed trails, no warming areas) 

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Winter Special Events

Jan. 10, 2009
Arctic Adventure, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonfire and winter activities; Addison Oaks County Park.  Call 858.1486.

Jan. 17, 24, February 14, 28, March 14, 28
(Note: On Jan. 24, Snowshoeing will available at the Rochester Fire & Ice Festival ONLY, from 2-6 p.m.  Cross-country skiing will be available at both Independence Oaks and the Festival on that day.  Festival Info here: www.downtownrochestermi.com)
2009 Snow Trekker Schools, Independence Oaks. Oakland County Parks is offering Cross-country ski schools from 10 a.m. - noon and Snowshoeing from 1 - 3 p.m. $10/person. Pre-registration is required at 248.625.0877. Group reservations are available at Independence Oaks during clinic times or by special appointment with a minimum of 10 people. GO Snowshow! Clinics are available by appointment at any location in Oakland County and the surrounding areas (within 20 miles of the Oakland County border). All activities are weather dependent.

Jan. 17
Snow Much Fun, 1:30 - 3 p.m., Wint Nature Center, Independence Oaks. Families will have a flurry of fun experimenting with snow science, making snow-flake catchers, playing snow games and more. Cool snacks and hot cocoa will round out the afternoon. $2.50/person. Prepay to register. 625.6473

Jan. 21, 10 - 11:45 a.m. OR 1 - 2:45 p.m.
Jan. 24,  10 - 11:45 a.m.
Tuning your Tot into Winter, Wint Nature Center, Independence Oaks. Buidling a strong love of nature in early childhood can lead to a lifetime of healthy living. Celebrate nature with the 3-6 year old in your family by making "tuning Your Tot" a seasonal habit. Make memories with your child as we sing, discover, hike craft and snack our way through a winter morning or afternoon. This winter sesson will focus on being a nature detective. Bring a plain, white, pre-washed T-shirt for each child to decorate with animal tracks. $4/tot. Call to pre-register 625.6473.

Jan. 23, 24
Fire & Ice Fest, Jan 23, 6-9 p.m., Jan. 24 Noon - 9 p.m. Winter festivities in downtown Rochester. Enjoy fireworks, a restaurant crawl, shopping spectacular, horse drawn carriage rides, dog sleds and more. For info: www.downtownrochestermi.com.

Feb 7
Making Tracks, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Wint Nature Center, Independence Oaks. Bring the whole family out for a morning of winter fun. Activities include nature/snowshoeing talk, snowshoeing, animal tracking, T-shirt printing,campfire with hot cocoa and winter stories. Snowshoeing appropriate for ages 5 and older and participants must wear boots. A winter hike will replace snowshoeing if there is no snow. Bring a plain, white pre-washed t-shirt for each person. $3/person. Prepay to register. 625.6473.

Feb 21
Winter Star Party, 8-10 p.m. When you look up at the starry sky do you wish you could identify more than just the Big Dipper? Learn to locate the circumpolar and winter constellations while enjoying a planetarium show inside the Nature Centers STARLAB. Peek at deep sky wonders through telescopes provided by the Oakland Stronomy Club (weather permitting). Suitable for school-aged children and adults. $2/person. Prepay to register. 625.6473.

Teens Outside Great Adventures
T.O.G.A. (Teens Outside Great Adventures) Trips
Designed for teens ages 12 - 17.
Winner of Michigan Recreation and Parks Association's "Best Teen Program" award!
Contact participating community parks and recreation departments to register: Huntington Woods, Independence Township, Northville, Novi, Oak Park or Wixom. Details 

Jan. 10, 2009
Arctic Adventure, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonfire and winter activities; Addison Oaks County Park.  Call 858.1486.
March 14
The Big Chill, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonfire and winter activities; Addison Oaks County Park.  Call 858.1486.
April 11
Frisbee Fest, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Various frisbee sports for teens, Addison Oaks County Park.  Call 858.1486.

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Ice Fishing

January - March
Winter Fishing Tournaments, Addison Oaks, Independence Oaks and Orion Oaks. January, February and March monthly contests. Prizes are awarded at the end of each month for the biggest fish caught (length plus weight). Catch and release is encouraged, however fish may be kept if legal (see MDNR rules). Anglers must register their catch at the boathouse drop box (Addison and Independence) or at the Lake 16 drop box for Orion Oaks. Valid Michigan fishing license required. Oakland County Parks daily or annual vehicle permit is required.

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The Fridge, refrigerated toboggan run

Chill out at The Fridge, 
the refrigerated toboggan run at Waterford Oaks - Michigan's Winter Thrill Ride!

Dec. 19
The Fridge opens, Waterford Oaks. Toboggans plunge down a 55-foot vertical drop then whisk riders almost 1,000 feet at speeds greater than 30 miles an hour. To see the winter thrill ride in action, click on www.oaklandfridge.com. For conditions, call 248.975.4440.

Events at the Fridge:

All events take place at The Fridge, Waterford Oaks County Park. Please dress according to the weather. You must have gloves or mittens to ride. Open mid-December through mid-March, weather permitting. When temperatures fluctuate, please be sure to call ahead (248.975.4440) for conditions at The Fridge.

Jan 8
"Get your game on" at The Fridge, 4 - 9:30 p.m. Ride The Fridge and play board games in the Lookout Lodge while warming up. For conditions, call 248.975.4440.

Jan. 10
Ellyce Field book signing at The Fridge, 1-3 p.m. Detroit News writer and author Ellyce Field will be on hand to sign her book, Michigan Family Field Trips: Fun Sites for Kids, in the Lookout Lodge. Books may be purchased on site, cover price $14.96. 134 pages.

Jan. 16
Midnight Tobogganing at The Fridge, 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. For conditions, call 248.975.4440.

Jan. 30
Thrills & Jams at The Fridge, 4 - 9:30 p.m. Listen to live music in the Lookout Lodge between toboggan runs on The Fridge. For conditions, call 248.975.4440.

Feb 5
"Get your game on" at The Fridge, 4 - 9:30 p.m. Ride The Fridge and play board games in the Lookout Lodge while warming up.  For conditions, call 248.975.4440.

Feb 13
Midnight Tobogganing at The Fridge, 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. For conditions, call 248.975.4440.

Feb 16 20
Extended Hours at The Fridge, Noon - 9:30 p.m. Extra hours of fun and thrills during winter break.  For conditions, call 248.975.4440.

Feb 27
Thrills & Jams at The Fridge, 7 - 9 p.m. Listen to live music by guitarist AJ Pipas in the Lookout Lodge between toboggan rides. For conditions, call 248.975.4440.

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Winter activities by park

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Christmas tree recycling drop-off sites

Dec. 26 - Jan. 12
Free Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling, seven days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Please remove all decorations, metal, plastic and string.
Recycle trees at 11 locations:  Addison Oaks near Oxford, Catalpa Oaks in Southfield, Glen Oaks in Farmington Hills, Groveland Oaks near Holly, Independence Oaks near Clarkston, Lyon Oaks in Lyon Township, Orion Oaks in Orion Township, Red Oaks in Madison Heights, Springfield Oaks in Davisburg, Waterford Oaks in Waterford, White Lake Oaks in White Lake Township (Pontiac Lake Road entrance).

Dec. 26-Jan. 26
Free Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling, seven days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Independence Oaks (Pine Grove parking lot) and Orion Oaks (Clarkston Rd. parking lot) only.

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