METROPARKS POOLS OPEN SATURDAY, MAY 24

Don’t let high gas prices limit your vacation plans this summer, when thousands of acres of lush woods, cooling waters and open spaces beckon at your Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Golf courses, pools, picnic areas and hike/bike trails are just a few of the jewels sparkling at these recreational havens, all located in southeast Michigan.

Turtle Cove, an exciting new family aquatic center opens Memorial Day Weekend at Lower Huron Metropark. With two waterslides, an endless lazy river, pool, dumping bucket and sprayscape, this new haven is the fourth – and largest – interactive water facility to open within the 13 Metroparks since 2001. A gallery of photos can be viewed at www.metroparks.com.

Selected swimming beaches located at Metro Beach and Stony Creek Metroparks open May 1; one beach at Kensington Metropark opens May 3. The swimming pools at Metro Beach and Willow Metroparks, along with the wave pool at Lake Erie Metropark and the Splash ‘n’ Blast at Kensington Metropark will be open daily starting Saturday, May 24. In addition to these facilities, the Metroparks offer free spraygrounds at Metro Beach’s “Squirt Zone” and Indian Springs’ “Spray ‘n’ Play.”

A big crowd pleaser, fireworks celebrating the Fourth of July holiday will light up the sky around this holiday at Stony Creek, Hudson Mills, Willow, Lake Erie and Kensington Metroparks.

Continuing to grow in popularity across southeast Michigan are the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s annual free performances at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, presented by Target. This summer’s “Target Harmony in the Metroparks” celebrates the 20-year tradition of concerts at the Metroparks with performances at Kensington Metropark on July 18, Stony Creek Metropark on July 19, Willow Metropark on July 24, and Metro Beach Metropark on July 25. DSO Resident Conductor Thomas Wilkins will conduct all performances which begin at 8 p.m. and are free with a Metroparks vehicle entry permit.

In addition to these events, car shows, historic reenactments and concerts can fill up weekend schedules, plus the traveling exhibit “Up North with the Hemingways” can be seen at Wolcott Mill Metropark in June. Discovery Cruises offer two- and four-hour excursions on Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie from Metro Beach Metropark and Lake Erie Metropark, respectively.

Four “Appreciation Days” will offer free use of selected facilities or special programs this summer: “Family Day,” Saturday, May 17; “Salute to America Day,” Saturday, June 14; “Children’s Day,” Sunday, July 20; and “Senior Day,” Wednesday, August 13. Free park entry and free boat launching is offered on “Senior Day.”

A vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is only $20 annually for regular admission, $12 annually for seniors or $4 daily. General information can be found at www.metroparks.com or by calling 1-800-47-PARKS.

Located along the Huron and Clinton rivers, the Metroparks provide a natural oasis from urban and suburban life as well as year-round recreational activities and events. The Metroparks consist of 13 beautiful parks covering nearly 24,000 acres, ten spectacular public golf courses and two marinas on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, respectively. The parks also offer scenic nature trails, breathtaking beaches, educational activities and exciting winter sports.