Winter in Michigan doesn't have to mean hibernation! Bundle up for a visit to The Fridge, Michigan's first refrigerated toboggan run; learn how to snowshoe or strap on skis and try cross-country skiing; explore winter changes at two nature centers or make your own fun by ice skating or ice fishing. We supply the location, and sometimes even the hot chocolate!
(Use 248 area code for all numbers)
Cross-country ski on marked trails or blaze your own trails at some locations. You'll find detailed information on our Winter Activities page.
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. 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.
Open skiing for those with their own equipment at Addison Oaks and four golf courses, conditions permitting. No grooming operations. Winter Park information
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.
Dec. 26 Christmas Holiday Appreciation Day. Free park entry.
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.
Jan. 10, 2009 Arctic Adventure, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonfire and winter activities; Addison Oaks County Park. Call 858.1486.
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. 17, 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. 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. 23, 24 Fire & Ice Fest, Jan 23, 6-9 p.m., Jan. 24 Noon - 9 p.m. Winter festivities in downtown Rochester. Events will include dogsled demonstration/rides, snowman and snow angel activities, ice skating, cross country skiing, ice carving demonstrations, geocaching, restaurant crawl, fireworks and much more! For info: www.downtownrochestermi.com.
Feb. 11 - 15, 2009 MARVAC camper and RV Show, Rock Financial Showplace, Novi. Stop by the Oakland County Parks booth and sign up for a chance to win a weekend of free camping at Groveland Oaks or Addison Oaks. Sign up now for exclusive camping offers in 2009.
Feb 21 Winter Star Party, 8-10 p.m. When you look up at the starry sky do you wish you could identiy 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.
March 6 8, 2009 Michigan Golf Show, Rock Financial Showplace, Novi. Stop by the Oakland County Parks booth and sign up for a chance to win 36 holes of golf at on of four Oakland County Parks golf courses. Sign up now for exclusive golf offers in 2009.
March 14 The Big Chill, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonfire and winter activities for teens; Addison Oaks County Park. Call 858.1486.
April 11 Frisbee Fest, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Frisibee sports for teens; Addison Oaks County Park. Call 858.1486.
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 atThe 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 atThe 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.
T.O.G.A. Trips
Designed for teens ages 12 - 17. "Best Teen Program" awarded by Michigan Recreation and Park Association. 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.
All programs take place at the Wint Nature Center, Independence Oaks County Park. Pre-registration is required; call 248.625.6473. A trail walk is often part of the program, so please dress for the weather and trail conditions.
Pre-registration is required for all programs. Call 248.437.7345 and leave your name, phone number and number of people attending. Fees may be paid on the day of the program or mailed to Lyon Oaks Nature Center, 52221 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, MI 48393. A trail walk is often part of the program, so please dress for the weather and trail conditions.
Dec. 6 Bowling League, noon 2 p.m., 400 W. Thunderbird Lanes, Troy. Monthly bowling league for individuals 16 and older with developmental disablilities. $8/bowler includes: shoes, two games, use of house ball. Pre-registration required; payment due the day of bowling. For more info, contact 248.858.7596 or doreys@oakgov.com.
Dec 29 Almost New Years Eve, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Royal Oak Senior Center.
Dec 30 Almost New Years Eve, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Waterford oaks Activity Center.
Please call 858.7596 for details on these activities.
December-March Senior Bounce Volleyball, 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Beechwood Community Center.
Jan. 5 Deadline to register for Michigan Senior Olympics Winter Games, to be held Feb. 2-4, 2009. Open to men and women ages 50+. Events include bocce ball, dance sport, pickle ball, weightlifting, hockey and curling. To register, click on www.michiganseniorolympics.org or call 1.800.400.8161.
Waterford Oaks Court Games Complex. Instruction and equipment provided. 645.9671, 742.8871 or or 858.0916.
A mix of tennis and racquetball, platform tennis is played outdoors on two lighted, heated courts. The Waterford Oaks Platform Tennis Club organizes mixers, league and inter-club play. Open play is 8:30 a.m. - 11 p.m., seven days. Memberships for adults, families and half season include unlimited court use (based on availability).
Get acquainted with the sport at Thursday Night Mixers, 7 p.m. at the Court Games Complex, Jan. 8, 2009.
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).
December 26-January 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.
