Outdoors

Metromode coverage of parks, camps, trails, river and riverside activities, lake and lakeshore activities during all seasons.

Oak Park’s pool closure offers a reflection on the past and a new vision of the future

Oak Park’s pool has one last dip as it closes and prepares for a new expansion. Residents share their memories and concerns about the pool’s past and future.

Latest in Outdoors
People enjoy the new Chandler Park Fieldhouse in Detroit at its grand opening on Aug. 21, 2025.
Detroit set to open 3 new rec centers, thanks to “unprecedented” funding influx

The city of Detroit recently opened a new recreation center, will open another soon, and is about to break ground on a third.

Artist Halima Cassells and Huron-Clinton Metroparks CEO Amy McMillan stand with Cassells' new art installation at Lake St. Clair Metropark.
Lake St. Clair Metropark unveils art installation highlighting lake sturgeon and recycling

A new art installation at Lake St. Clair Metropark is designed not only to provide a fun photo opportunity for park visitors, but also to promote recycling and highlight the importance of lake sturgeon.

Improvements are underway at Detroit's Intervale Roselawn Park, accompanying an adjacent new segment of the Joe Louis Greenway.
Joe Louis Greenway to open 2 new miles of trail and new trailhead this year

The city of Detroit is charging ahead with its vision for the 29-mile Joe Louis Greenway. With about two miles of additional trail segments opening this year, 8.4 miles of the planned greenway are now complete.

A prescribed burn at Kensington Metropark.
Where there’s smoke, there may be environmental renewal: How parks use fire to support nature

A burning field, forest, or prairie in your local park may be an alarming sight, but sometimes it's actually a sign of an intentional, controlled process with significant benefits for the environment. 

Supplemental Science student Madison Taylor with her exhibit on soil samples at a science fair at WAY Academy in Detroit.
Metroparks offer year-round hands-on science classes in 2 Detroit schools

Through the Supplemental Science program, Huron-Clinton Metroparks staff work with school staff to offer science lessons in schools, usually multiple times a week throughout the school year. 

Kids participate in a water safety class at Adams Butzel Complex in Detroit.
Free swimming classes and equipment help improve water safety across Metro Detroit

A network of programs across Metro Detroit seeks to address high drowning rates and low swimming skills with free water safety education.

A grand opening celebration for the Community Garden at Nelson Park is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 1.
PHOTOS: Take a peek at the Sterling Heights Community Garden ahead of its grand opening

We captured some of the final work underway as spring rolls in full bloom.

Roz Nowosielski picks up trash at Stony Creek Metropark during an Earth Day cleanup event. She walks at the park every day and wanted to help clean it up.
Metroparks highlight new and expanded climate initiatives for Earth Day

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks are celebrating this Earth Day by rolling out several new pilot initiatives that are the first steps in an ambitious plan to combat the impacts of climate change.

Children play during a campout at Eliza Howell Park.
Park equity initiatives have big impacts for Metro Detroiters, from students to elders

From school science programming to park revitalization efforts, we talked to local residents about how equity-related efforts in parks have impacted their lives and communities.

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