Fall in Love With Colors
By Nick Lico / Photography by Anne Nicolazzo
One of the advantages of living in Michigan is the opportunity every fall to see Mother Nature use her multi-hued brushes to paint stunning scenery. The Upper Peninsula, the Tunnel of Trees and the Irish Hills are popular destinations for fall foliage tours.
You do not need to travel that far to see vibrant colors. In fact, there are plenty of places in Macomb County to take in flame-red, rust-colored or bright-yellow leaves. And, although peak season for colors in our county is thought to be late October, seeing the colors begin and evolve gives us a unique view almost daily.
From the Ground
“With 1,300 acres of parks, we have it all in Shelby Township,” said Brad Bates, Shelby Township community relations director. “For those who want more of a manicured experience, Heritage Lake with its hardwood trees is tough to beat.”
Be sure to also check out River Bends Park. This former state park has nearly 900 acres of parkland with amazing old hardwood growth. Also worth seeing in Shelby Township is Holland Ponds. “This nature park is close to the Clinton River and every fall it explodes with amazing colors,” Bates said.
Other sites within Shelby Township include the Wilcox and Warnes Memorial Nature Sanctuary, located on Schoenherr Road just south of 26 Mile Road. “It contains some of the oldest trees in the county, even older than the county itself,” Bates explained. “President Andrew Jackson awarded the land when Michigan became a state and it contains some truly giant trees.”
“Shelby Township in the fall is very neat to see. In fact, it becomes more impressive every year. We have the densest canopy in the county among developed communities. Even our residential areas are very forested,” Bates said.
After visiting Shelby Township head over to Macomb Township and the 26 Mile Road Nature Preserve. Obtained by the township in 2021, this 42-acre site features a nature trail that is about seven- tenths of a mile long. “It’s still in its natural state and it’s very different from our other parks. It’s for those looking to see nature, those who want to feel like they’re up north without leaving the county,” said Sal DiCaro, the township’s parks and recreation director.
This nature preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk every day. “It’s a great little place to visit. We think it’s one of Macomb Township’s secret gems,” DiCaro added.
Not to be outdone are the three Huron-Clinton Metroparks within our county.
Very popular, especially in the fall, is Wolcott Mill Metropark, especially with its pumpkin-related programs, trick-or-treating and farm-related events.
“Wolcott Mill offers a great fall color experience. There are hiking trails to get deep into the woods once beyond the farm area,” said Danielle Mauter, chief of marketing and communications for the metroparks.
“Stony Creek is a popular destination for fall color viewing, thanks to the many bike and walking trails, some of which go all the way around the lake,” added Mauter. As she explained, golfers at Stony Creek can see great fall foliage while pursuing their favorite hobby.
From the Lake
Boaters, at Stony Creek meanwhile, get a viewpoint that is distinctly different from that experienced from land. That viewpoint is also available at Lake St. Clair Metropark.
“In the same amount of time, you can cover more ground at Lake St. Clair then you would at Stony Creek and because the park is along the flightpath of a lot of migratory birds, you get fall colors and bird watching at the same time,” Mauter said.
Also in the flightpath for migratory birds is the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores. September and October are said to be peak times to see the fall migration — from land or from the lake. The estate grounds have more than 200 species of birds recorded, along with 45 elm trees and more than 600 plants.
Explore the 87 acres of tree-lined pathways, shoreline trails, meadows, and ornamental gardens from morning until sunset. Or join the guided Autumn Tour on October 1. There are also Bird Walk events, including September 20 and October 11, providing the chance to enjoy the colors while spotting dozens of different birds.
Along the River
Another suggestion came from John Paul Rea, Macomb County deputy executive. “While the water for sure is a bit colder, the Clinton River corridor during the fall months is a truly spectacular scene,” Rea said.
Tucked in along the Clinton River is Canal Park. Located in Clinton Township, the park spans 164 acres and is predominantly wooded, providing spectacular colors in a rustic environment. The Don Green Nature Trail connects to Budd Park and offers hikers a wood chip path to take in all the trees. On the trail you’ll see remnants of the Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal, giving glimpses of the planned waterway from 1837.
For a less challenging walk — or bike ride — with a fantastic show of colors is the Tomlinson Arboretum, also in Clinton Township. It includes 25 acres of Michigan native trees connecting two subdivisions and can take you from 18 Mile and Garfield all the way to Romeo Plank Road.
“Not only is the Arboretum unique, with its history of being founded in 2009 by township leaders, supported by donations, and maintained by volunteers, but it’s also a tranquil setting and stunningly beautiful in the fall. Its east entrance is right across the road from the main branch of the Clinton Macomb Public Library,” said Clinton Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem.
A much bigger park with endless wandering waterways of the Clinton River is Dodge Park in Sterling Heights. With miles of nature trails and paved trails, even some with kayak launch areas, there are plenty of places to see the colors reflecting off the water.
“Fall brings out some of the best views in Sterling Heights, and our parks and trails really showcase the season,” said Matt Sharp, recreation superintendent for Sterling Heights. “Whether you’re walking through the vibrant maple grove just past the bridge at Dodge Park, taking in the colors along the nature trail from 19 Mile to Pondview, or relaxing near the rapids by trail marker 15, there are many peaceful places to stop and take it all in right in the heart of the city.”
“Whether you want to get lost on a hike in the woods, check out the fall foliage, or sample some of the nation’s most celebrated hard ciders, we welcome everyone to this place we call home” Rea added.
