Map of Rouge Park
Recreation Areas
Rouge Park’s Recreation Areas are located throughout the park. Each has a unique offering of picnic shelters, playgrounds and amenities to enjoy.
Visit the City of Detroit’s Parks and Recreation page to learn more about how you can host an event in the park, reserve a shelter and/or to learn about the recreational programming that the City of Detroit offers across the Park.
Visit the City of Detroit’s Parks and Recreation page to learn more about how you can host an event in the park, reserve a shelter and/or to learn about the recreational programming that the City of Detroit offers across the Park.
|
Brennan Recreation Area is one of the most popular areas of Rouge Park with a tennis court, basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic shelters open to the public year-round.
The two outdoor Olympic size swimming pools (the only outdoor pool in Detroit!) and splash pad are fixtures of summertime fun in the Cody-Rouge Neighborhood. Operated by the City's Parks and Recreation Department, the Brennan Pool House also offers dry land recreation programming including youth and adult crafts, games, and fitness lessons. Check out the city website for information on free swimming classes. A valid membership is required to access the pool and programs. Don't have a membership? Register through RecTrac to join in the summer fun! For more info call 313-653-0621. In 2026-2027, the Pistons Foundation is building a new Recreation Facility adjacent to Brennan Pools! Brennan Pools, Splash Pad and Building: Pools are closed for 2026 Season for construction of Pistons Recreation Area. The Detroit Parks Coalition hosts Pistons Programming in the summer at Brennan Recreation Area with free weekly basketball, tennis and dance classes throughout the summer at this location. More information about schedule and summer programming can be found here. Eastern Market Distribution: In partnership with Eastern Market, Detroit Parks Coalition and Friends of Rouge Park distribute free produce boxes out of the Brennan Recreation Area. Summer 2026 - Fridays June 26 - August 14, 3-5PM or until they run out. Look out for the tent and table. |
|
|
Joe Prance Recreation Area is a beautiful and serene pocket park tucked away in Rouge Park with old-growth trees, hiking trails, a picnic shelter, grills, and a playground. The trail shows you some of the most beautiful views and natural topography of the park.
|
|
|
Whether you have kids interested in a quieter playground, a group looking to have a family reunion, or are interested in a little hike in the woods, Sorensen Recreation Area has it all!
This area contains a football field where the junior leagues practice, a swing set, playground, the largest picnic shelter in Rouge Park, grills, parking, and the trailhead for the Ma’iingan Wildwood Trail. Enter the magical old-growth forest and see the Sorensen Promenade and bits of the original Sorensen estate at the trailhead which features the Etta S. Wilson Trail Plaque located behind the picnic shelter. There is a lot of interesting history about this section of the park. Be sure to check out the history blog to learn more about the Sorensen Estate, the historic hiking club, why the trail is dedicated to the iconic Etta S. Wilson, and more! |
|
|
Cozy Corners Recreation Area is a major center of activity in the park is located at the crossroads of Joy Rd. and Spinoza Dr. There are a couple of playgrounds, shady groves with picnic benches, and sports fields here with space for plenty of activities. Throughout the summer, folks gather here for family reunions, birthday parties, BBQs, and more.
For more information on the Soccer programming in the park, contact Detroit PAL. |
|
Natural Areas to Explore in Rouge Park
There’s something to explore in every season in Rouge Park, but with a park so big, we’re here to help you know when to explore where! Get to know these unique areas of the park and visit our “natural areas” page to learn more about Rouge Park’s many unique ecosystems (and what we’re doing to care for them!)
|
One of the park's best birding locations, Lahser Marsh is a great spot to sit by the water, see turtles, ducks, birds, and more! We host a bat listening event here every summer and Detroit Bird Alliance is a great organization to follow for Birding events in Rouge Park and other parks and natural areas across the City.
Directions to Lahser Marsh |
|
|
The largest restored native prairie in Detroit with 3 miles of walking trails. The Prairie Pathway & Butterfly Garden Trail is a great place to see native wildflowers blooming in the spring/summer. A true refuge for pollinators, butterflies, and anyone who needs a break from the urban landscape. There are two entrances to the Prairie (North Trailhead & South Trailhead)
View the list of Butterfly species found in the park at our Annual Butterfly Count. If you are interested in supporting the efforts to maintain the prairie, including removing invasive species, planting natives, seed collecting, and more, consider volunteering with us! Prairie Pathway has 2 trailheads: |
|
|
There are miles of trails to walk and hike in Rouge Park. Many run along the 4.5 Mile Ma'iingan Wildwood Trail (look for MWT trail signs), named for Etta S. Wilson's legacy. You can find trailheads around the park- see map above!
|
|
|
Rouge Park is home to a large Heron Rookery. Great Blue Herons have established their rookery, or communal nests, high up in the trees above the Rouge River and have been a mainstay of the park for as long as we can remember. Please be respectful of the nesting birds and do not approach their nests. You can observe from the bridge on Spinoza Drive, as you travel from Brennan Pools to Outer Drive.
https://www.rougepark.org/natural-features--wildlife.html |
|
Featured Cultural and Recreational Destinations
There are so many great organizations that call Rouge Park home! Learn about the many unique amenities in Rouge Park and the many organizations that bring the park alive with culture, programming and stewardship activities.
|
The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association maintains the heritage barn, about a dozen horses, offers rides to the public, and is open to hosting special events and parties. On the corner of Joy Rd. and Lahser Rd., this is a great place to ride horses and learn about the historic Buffalo Soldiers.
|
|
|
Detroit Black Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN) operates 7-acre D-TOWN Farm, where they grow 30 different fruits, vegetables and herbs that are sold at farmers markets and to wholesale customers, including the Detroit People's Food Coop. The farm features four hoop houses for extended-season growing, bee-keeping, large-scale composting, farm tours, workshops and an annual harvest festival.
Check out the farm, learn more and meet the amazing crew at one of their upcoming events and volunteer days. More info about DBCSFN and D-Town found on their website. |
|
|
Nestled in the Stone Bridge Trail, you will find the Detroit Sugarbush Project, a collective project of Black to the Land Coalition. This indigenous-led project is in full swing, tapping the sugar maples for syrup every year in late winter! Look out for ways to learn about maple tapping and support the Sugarbush efforts by signing up for our newsletter here.
https://www.rougepark.org/stonebridge-nature-trail.html |
|
|
Located in the cozy corners of Joy and Spinoza Dr, Alex Jefferson Airfield is a great place to come check out the Detroit Aeromodelers flying model airplanes and the Alex Jefferson statue!
|
|
|
Scout Hollow is a natural area and trail through the woods and a historic, nationally recognized Boy Scout campground.
The historic campground in Rouge isn't currently a public campground. They campground is only open to groups that go through the Camping Leadership Immersion Course with Detroit Outdoors. Please contact Detroit Outdoors for more information. Detroit Outdoors was founded by three key stakeholders in 2017 to support and run Detroit’s first and only campground, located in Rouge Park. Today, Detroit Outdoors is a network of Detroit-based institutions working to expand access to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Check out their calendar of upcoming events here. |
|
|
ARCHERY FIELD - MANAGED BY ELITE ARCHERY
In the Lahser Marsh, there is an olympic size historical archery range. A target set up where you can bring your own bow and arrows to practice. Elite Archery is the park steward that cares for the range and hosts seasonal tournaments. Please contact them to learn how to book a training session at Rouge Park. |
|
|
Have you ever looked at an aerial view of Rouge Park and seen this circle? Down in the Lahser Marsh, this circle is where the unique Strathmoor Model Club flies control line airplanes.
|
|
|
The historic 72 acre Walter Meyers Nursery is operated today by the Greening of Detroit, a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the quality of life for Detroiters by planting trees, providing job training and involving youth in the education of the natural environment. The nursery is not open to the public. Greening of Detroit manages this space to grow trees that they give out in their annual give-a-away or that you see planted on the streets of Detroit though their community planting program.
|
|
|
Planted in 2024 by Friends of Rouge Park and volunteers to create more edible and interactive landscapes in Rouge Park. Witness these trees as they grow, blossom in the spring and eventually develop fruit in the coming years! A special thanks MSU-Detroit Partnership for Learning and Innovation who supports Friends of Rouge Park's efforts to maintain the orchard.
|
|
|
The Rouge Park Golf Course and Driving Range, operated by Golf Detroit and the City of Detroit, is a challenging 18 hole championship golf course offering a well-conditioned course in an aesthetic setting. At Rouge Park Driving Range, you can both learn and perfect your game before taking it to Rouge Park Golf Course.
Rouge Park Golf Course and driving range were opened in 1928 as part of the city of Detroit's Park System. The course is a gem in the city of Detroit, enjoyed by thousands of golfers year-round. It has a long history of welcoming groups and events to the course. Rouge Park is the choice to play a round of golf in Redford, Dearborn Heights, Westland, Farmington Hills, and Detroit. Visit WWW.ROUGE.GOLF.COM for more information. |
|
|
Rouge Park is home to a great sledding hill as well as plenty of opportunities to enjoy the winter season by getting active!
FORP hosts an annual Winterfest in the park, usually in February. |
|