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Winter Fest 2022
Saturday, February 19, 12-4pm
Our 1st Annual Winter Fest was a winter blast! Despite a flood over our planned event site and extremely cold wind chills the morning of, we "just kept fishing" and moved the event uphill! Bringing over 100 people throughout the afternoon to join in several activities. Towards the start of the afternoon Captain Wes with Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers led a demonstration on ice fishing, going over safety procedures and equipment. The presentation was super engaging and even featured a popup ice shanty! Following the demonstration, Tracey Webb with We're Fixin' to Fish led a giveaway of tackle boxes with equipment and fishing rods! Throughout the afternoon participants had fun snowshoeing, cross country skiing, horse petting, and sledding! Bonfires at the center of the event provided warmth and a great spot for some marshmallow roasting. Other highlights included delicious cookies and cocoa offered by Fruitiful Fudge and a variety of tacos from the Spicerack. As well as a special guest appearance by Woodsy the Owl who enjoyed engaging with participants. We are incredibly grateful to all of our partners that made this event a success: We're Fixin' to Fish, Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers, Black to the Land Coalition, Detroit Outdoors, Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association, and the DNR.
Saturday, February 19, 12-4pm
Our 1st Annual Winter Fest was a winter blast! Despite a flood over our planned event site and extremely cold wind chills the morning of, we "just kept fishing" and moved the event uphill! Bringing over 100 people throughout the afternoon to join in several activities. Towards the start of the afternoon Captain Wes with Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers led a demonstration on ice fishing, going over safety procedures and equipment. The presentation was super engaging and even featured a popup ice shanty! Following the demonstration, Tracey Webb with We're Fixin' to Fish led a giveaway of tackle boxes with equipment and fishing rods! Throughout the afternoon participants had fun snowshoeing, cross country skiing, horse petting, and sledding! Bonfires at the center of the event provided warmth and a great spot for some marshmallow roasting. Other highlights included delicious cookies and cocoa offered by Fruitiful Fudge and a variety of tacos from the Spicerack. As well as a special guest appearance by Woodsy the Owl who enjoyed engaging with participants. We are incredibly grateful to all of our partners that made this event a success: We're Fixin' to Fish, Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers, Black to the Land Coalition, Detroit Outdoors, Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association, and the DNR.
Police break up sugarbush ceremony in Rouge Park
Learn more about the Detroit Sugarbush Project here. Read more about the Feb. 18 story here and here.
Learn more about the Detroit Sugarbush Project here. Read more about the Feb. 18 story here and here.
New Parking Signage Coming to the Park
The Friends of Rouge Park has spent the last three years advocating for a updated parking plan to improve the quality of the park. The plan is similar to the one implemented in Hines Park over 20 years ago that led to a huge decrease in crime, litter, dumping and illicit activities, and highlighted the amenities in the park. The plan is to install new "Parking Allowed" signage at nature trailheads, recreation areas and other amenities with park information kiosks, benches and garbage cans. And to install "No Standing Any Time" signage in areas notorious for dumping and illicit activities. This will both help to highlight Rouge Park's wonderful amenities, and keep the areas between them clean and safe.
You may have noticed a few of the new signs in the park, but most have not been installed in the correct manner. In response, the Friends of Rouge Park has done a survey of all the road signs in the park and are assisting the CIty in the correct placement of signage throughout the park. Here is a link to the survey showing the placement of the new signage.
The Friends of Rouge Park has spent the last three years advocating for a updated parking plan to improve the quality of the park. The plan is similar to the one implemented in Hines Park over 20 years ago that led to a huge decrease in crime, litter, dumping and illicit activities, and highlighted the amenities in the park. The plan is to install new "Parking Allowed" signage at nature trailheads, recreation areas and other amenities with park information kiosks, benches and garbage cans. And to install "No Standing Any Time" signage in areas notorious for dumping and illicit activities. This will both help to highlight Rouge Park's wonderful amenities, and keep the areas between them clean and safe.
You may have noticed a few of the new signs in the park, but most have not been installed in the correct manner. In response, the Friends of Rouge Park has done a survey of all the road signs in the park and are assisting the CIty in the correct placement of signage throughout the park. Here is a link to the survey showing the placement of the new signage.
Ice Skate, Ski & Snowshoe
Saturday, February 5, 1-3pm
at Lahser Marsh
We were lucky to have excellent snow conditions for skiing and snowshoeing. The trees all remained snow covered from the snowfall in the days before and made the trek a scenic winter wonderland. We followed a trail up and around the hill south of the marsh with nice views over the park and down a very large slope! The route continued down along the river downriver from the former bridge. There were many birds out feeding at the bird feeders located in this area, including Blue birds and Woodpeckers! Skating was a little more of a challenge due to the rain, thaw, snow and refreeze in the days before the event but we were able to shovel clear a nice double figure eight ice skating track. When not skiing, snowshoeing or skating, everyone enjoyed a nice time sipping hot chocolate around the bonfire.
Saturday, February 5, 1-3pm
at Lahser Marsh
We were lucky to have excellent snow conditions for skiing and snowshoeing. The trees all remained snow covered from the snowfall in the days before and made the trek a scenic winter wonderland. We followed a trail up and around the hill south of the marsh with nice views over the park and down a very large slope! The route continued down along the river downriver from the former bridge. There were many birds out feeding at the bird feeders located in this area, including Blue birds and Woodpeckers! Skating was a little more of a challenge due to the rain, thaw, snow and refreeze in the days before the event but we were able to shovel clear a nice double figure eight ice skating track. When not skiing, snowshoeing or skating, everyone enjoyed a nice time sipping hot chocolate around the bonfire.
Ski & Snowshoe
Saturday, January 29, 1-3pm
At the South Prairie Pathway Trailhead
Friends of Rouge Park partnered with Black to the Land Coalition, and Detroit Outdoors to offer an afternoon of winter fun at the Prairie. This was the first ever winter event hosted by Friends of Rouge Park! There were about 40 participants who snowshoed and skied the Prairie Pathway and stayed warm by multiple bonfires while enjoying some hot cocoa and donuts. Rangers from the International Wildlife Refuge came out with educational materials and shared their knowledge of local wildlife. Rangers Jasmine and Todd brought different animal skins, bird models, and an animal track demonstration!
Saturday, January 29, 1-3pm
At the South Prairie Pathway Trailhead
Friends of Rouge Park partnered with Black to the Land Coalition, and Detroit Outdoors to offer an afternoon of winter fun at the Prairie. This was the first ever winter event hosted by Friends of Rouge Park! There were about 40 participants who snowshoed and skied the Prairie Pathway and stayed warm by multiple bonfires while enjoying some hot cocoa and donuts. Rangers from the International Wildlife Refuge came out with educational materials and shared their knowledge of local wildlife. Rangers Jasmine and Todd brought different animal skins, bird models, and an animal track demonstration!
Winter Woody Plants Nature Walk
Sunday, January 9 at 1pm & 3pm
At the Stone Bridge Nature Trail
On this windy winter afternoon, Naturalist Bob Muller and life long student Don Drife led two woody plant nature walks along the Stone Bridge Trail. Both walks together brought out around 60 people to explore the trail and learn about the native tree species found in this area of the park. Don and Bob identified and shared their knowledge of many tree species including, Red oak, Silver maple, Sycamore, Bladdernut, Black cherry, and many more! Participants enjoyed learning about the identification process of the trees just by using the bark patterns and other characteristics like the strong odor from a Sassafras twig! We are grateful to our partners, Royal Oak Nature Society, and Michigan Botanical Club for hosting this series with us!
Sunday, January 9 at 1pm & 3pm
At the Stone Bridge Nature Trail
On this windy winter afternoon, Naturalist Bob Muller and life long student Don Drife led two woody plant nature walks along the Stone Bridge Trail. Both walks together brought out around 60 people to explore the trail and learn about the native tree species found in this area of the park. Don and Bob identified and shared their knowledge of many tree species including, Red oak, Silver maple, Sycamore, Bladdernut, Black cherry, and many more! Participants enjoyed learning about the identification process of the trees just by using the bark patterns and other characteristics like the strong odor from a Sassafras twig! We are grateful to our partners, Royal Oak Nature Society, and Michigan Botanical Club for hosting this series with us!
Rededication of the Alexander Jefferson Field
Nov. 15, 2021
In 2006, the Detroit Aero Modelers club named their Rouge Park model airplane field in honor of Lt. Colonel Alexander Jefferson who flew model airplanes there as a youth. On November 16th, Jefferson celebrated his 100th birthday there at a rededication ceremony for the Alex Jefferson Airfield. Jefferson was presented with a key to the city in honor of his contributions to the country. The airfield will soon have a plaza and statue built in his honor.
Jefferson, a Detroit native, was a Tuskegee Airman who helped win World War ll and was a part of the 332nd Fighter Group. He flew 18 missions escorting bombers during his service (never losing a plane), was at one time a prisoner of war, and is an American hero.
Nov. 15, 2021
In 2006, the Detroit Aero Modelers club named their Rouge Park model airplane field in honor of Lt. Colonel Alexander Jefferson who flew model airplanes there as a youth. On November 16th, Jefferson celebrated his 100th birthday there at a rededication ceremony for the Alex Jefferson Airfield. Jefferson was presented with a key to the city in honor of his contributions to the country. The airfield will soon have a plaza and statue built in his honor.
Jefferson, a Detroit native, was a Tuskegee Airman who helped win World War ll and was a part of the 332nd Fighter Group. He flew 18 missions escorting bombers during his service (never losing a plane), was at one time a prisoner of war, and is an American hero.