River Day
June 8, 2024
River Day is designed to encourage appreciation and recreational use of the waterways of the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair and to celebrate the leadership of local citizens, organizations, and communities whose efforts are critical to protecting and enhancing the overall quality of the Clinton River watershed.
On June 8, individuals, businesses, community groups, and local governments across the watershed will join forces on River Day to enhance and celebrate the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair. Activities range from nature hikes, canoe trips, fishing derbies, and fly fishing lessons to storm drain stenciling, river clean-ups, habitat restoration, and native landscaping.
EVENT GUIDE
Each year, CRWC publishes an event guide that pulls together all of the opportunities happening on and around River Day throughout the watershed! Last year, the guide featured more than 20 individual events put on by CRWC and our partners.
Through this guide, popular opportunities that protect, enhance, and celebrate the Clinton River watershed are brought together in one place to help people access opportunities in their region.
RIVER DAY DESIGN CONTEST
The Clinton River Watershed Council concluded its 26th Annual River Day design contest in March. The contest encouraged local artists to get involved in the promotion of River Day, which will be held on Saturday, June 8th.
The winning River Day design is being used on official River Day shirts, the event guide, and the CRWC website to promote River Day.
Entries were judged at CRWC’s 2024 Annual Meeting and evaluated on their ability to convey River Day’s goal of celebration and enjoyment of the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair, as well as their clarity and ability to be reproduced easily at a variety of scales.
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Amanda grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida and Alabama, and an appreciation of the beauty and benefits of waterways has always been a big part of her life. She studied art in college and over the years has developed a love for wildlife illustration. Her goal is to create images that both reflect nature and surprise with unexpected elements of texture and design.
Amanda's husband is an active-duty member of the US Coast Guard. While his career has taken them, along with their two children, to many wonderful places, they have found Michigan to be a truly welcoming, and special place that they are happy to call our home. The gorgeous outdoor spaces found in Michigan provide unending inspiration for Amanda's artwork.
As the official state reptile of Michigan, she thought the painted turtle would be a great symbol of the wildlife found within the Clinton River watershed. Amanda asked, "Who doesn’t love to spot a turtle sunning itself on a log, or catch a glimpse as they slide gracefully into the water?" She is excited to have her design chosen and thankful to be able to play a small part in an important event that helps to protect wildlife habitats and preserve the region's vital natural resources.
RIVER DAY EVENTS
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It's time, once again, for the annual 8-mile Auburn Hills to Rochester Hills Paddlepalooza! Three events to choose from: the Kayakers race (1 person), the Canoeists race (2 people), or the Adventure Paddle (no race -no inflatables). A limited number of canoes and kayaks are available for rent, so don't delay.
By Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills.
3311 Parkways Boulevard Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Register here.
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Weekly Clean is an ongoing clean up program that focuses on removing trash and debris from different parks throughout the Clinton River watershed. Weekly Clean engages residents of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels with activities ranging from on-land garbage collecting to paddling and water trail cleanups.
By the Clinton River Watershed Council.
For more information, contact Pronoye Kapali at 248.601.0606 ext 27 or pronoye@crwc.org.
Clinton River Heritage Park - 44505 Van Dyke Ave, Utica, MI 48317
No registration Required. Trash bags, grabbers, and gloves provided.
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Interested in removing non-native species from a local river? We need your help to clean up non-native watercress behind the Clinton River Watershed Office in Avon Creek! Waders will be provided. Walk-ins are welcome!
By the Clinton River Watershed Council. For questions, contact Pronoye Kapali at pronoye@crwc.org or 248-601-0606 ext 27.
CRWC Office // 1115 West Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48309
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If your child loves to fish, they cannot miss this event! Clinton Township Recreation invites them to try to catch that big old elusive catfish or pile up the inches with a variety of pan fish! This event is celebrating the Clinton River watershed and is a catch-and-release format. The contest is based on total inches caught and children do not need a fishing license to participate. Parents are welcome to assist, but children must reel in the fish. Prizes will be awarded, and everybody is eligible for door prizes. 16 and under welcome! No makeup date. Refunded if canceled.
By Clinton Township Recreation. For questions, contact George Cardaris at g.cardaris@clintontownship-mi.gov or 586.286.9336.
Clinton Twp Civic Center - 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038
Register here.
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Volunteers will help with community park beautification and/or river cleanup. Please bring any equipment that you feel might be helpful. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided to volunteers.
By the Villiage of New Haven. For questions, contact Dawn Razz at 586.354.5170 or Drazz@newhavenmi.org.
57775 Main Street, New Haven, MI 48048
Contact the Village of New Haven at 586-749-5301 or join our event on Facebook: Village of New Haven - River Day 2024 (Pre-registration is helpful but not required.)
Be sure to check our website or Facebook event page for updates or cancellations due to weather.
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Join us for a hike, trash pickup, fishing, and lunch in the park to celebrate River Day! We will also be making walking sticks!
By Ray Township Public Library. For questions, please contact Christy DeMeuelnaere at 586.749.7130 or director@raylibrary.org. Patrons will be notified via email if there are any changes to the date or times of the event.
64255 Wolcott Rd, Ray, MI 48096
Register online here.
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Hosted by The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, Pure Oakland Water, The Art Experience, and the City of Pontiac. A family-friendly and FREE event that makes learning about water fun through interactive art and education stations. The day kicks off with a park cleanup from 11 AM to noon. Afterward, attendees will enjoy arts and crafts, games, face painting, live animals, bounce houses and so much more! BBQ lunch will be made available free of charge, guests can fish or learn to fish with Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash.
Beaudette Park, 786 Orchard Lake Rd. Pontiac, MI
Registration is not required. Volunteers are needed! Contact Alyssa Taube for more info at taubea@oakgov.com.
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The annual fishing derby offers youth 16 and under a chance to fish and participate in this free annual event on the banks of the Clinton River at Riverside Park in Auburn Hills. Free River Day t-shirts for the participants! Registration begins on-site at 7:30 AM.
By the City of Auburn Hills. For questions, contact Pauline Beckett at 248.370.9353 or pbeckett@auburnhills.org
Riverside Park - 3311 Squirrel Ct, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Follow us on Facebook for any cancellations due to weather @AuburnHillsRecreation&SeniorServices
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Join us for a hike to the Clinton River where we will identify flora and fauna along the way. We will also pick up any trash that we see during the hike. After, we will enjoy delicious ice cream and discuss ways we can help keep our watershed clean. All ages. FREE.
Event by Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center. For questions, contact Elizabeth Shultz at 586.323.2478 or eschultz@shelbytwp.org. Event updates will be e-mailed to registrants.
49354 Ryan Rd, Shelby Township, 48317
Sign up at register.shelbytwp.org (#RIVER.01).
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Volunteers will help with community park beautification and/or river cleanup. Please bring any equipment that you feel might be helpful. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided to volunteers.
By Huron-Clinton Metroparks. For questions, contact Erin Parker at 608.217.0818 or erin.parker@metroparks.com. We will contact registered participants in the event of a cancellation.
Lake St Clair Metropark Nature Center - 31300 Metro Pkwy, Harrison Twp, MI 48045
Visit www.metroparks.com or call the nature center to register: 586-463-4332
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Drop in between 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM at our June FREE Open House! We'll have fishing at the dock for Michigan's Free Fishing Weekend. Inside you can make a swimming fish craft and learn about different types of fishing and fishing gear.
By Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve. For questions, contact Amanda Felk at 248.656.0999 or Amanda@dinosaurhill.org. Check the Lost Lake Nature Center Facebook page for event updates.
Lost Lake Nature Center, 846 Lost Lake Trail, Oakland Twp, MI 48363
No registration is required.
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Join the staff at Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center and get up close and personal with the park's namesake: Stony Creek! This tributary of the Clinton River is shallow and provides a great opportunity to wade in the water and search for the organisms that thrive under rocks, in the riffles, and along the shore. Participants should wear water shoes with closed toes (or old sneakers) and plan to get wet to their mid-shins. For those who want to join without getting wet, there will be opportunities to stay on shore (though still plan to experience mud!). In the event of a cancellation or severe weather, we will contact each registered participant via email or phone.
By Huron-Clinton Metroparks. For questions, contact Erin Parker at 608.217.0818 or erin.parker@metroparks.com.
Lake St Clair Metropark Nature Center - 31300 Metro Pkwy, Harrison Twp, MI 48045
www.metroparks.com or call the nature center to register: 586-463-4332
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Meander along our trails and stop at our River Day stations to discover what our waterways do for us, and how we can help them. Bring water shoes (or borrow ours) to get in the water and dip the net for macroinvertebrates, try your hand at water quality testing, practice underhand casting, and create a water-based painting. FREE all-age event!
By Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve. For questions, contact Amanda Felk at 248.656.0999 or Amanda@dinosaurhill.org.
Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve - 333 N Hill Circle, Rochester, MI 48307
Registration is encouraged but not required. Register here.
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Join Slow Row LO for an evening of paddling and tacos. Meet at the DNR launch off of Indianwood Lake Road, and be ready to launch at 6 PM. We will paddle the lake and make a stop at Rick's Party Store where they will provide us dock service (please bring cash to speed up service). You must provide your own kayak/sup, paddle, and PFD.
By Slow Row LO. For questions, contact Suzanne Alesso at 248.210.9650 or suzannealesso@comcast.net.
Lake Orion DNR Launch - 421 Indianwood Rd, Lake Orion, MI 48362
No registration required.
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Join us at the Wolcott Mill Historic Site along the river's edge for a storytime for the littles and science for all ages! We will be doing some chemical test monitoring to check the levels of Nitrates, Phosphates, and Coliform Bacteria as well as the pH, Turbidity, and Dissolved Oxygen of this site on the river and our mitigation efforts and responsibilities as a working farm and public park on the river. Bring your own picnic and stay to enjoy the scenic views. Fun for all Ages!
What to Expect: This walking event is entirely outdoors. The planned path is grass with hilly slopes. The planned program site has limited seating available, but accommodations can be made upon request. No prior experience is necessary.
By Wolcott Mill Metropark. For questions, contact Mary Barnes at 586.752.5932 or mary.barnes@metroparks.com.
Wolcott Mill Metropark - 64162 Kunstman Road, Ray, MI 48096
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Join us on our fishing pier located on Cass Lake to share in this great outdoor pastime! Never been fishing before? No problem! We will have staff on hand with a limited number of fishing poles provided for hands-on instruction to get you and your child started. Win a fishing themed prize if you catch the smallest or the largest fish! A simple craft and game will be available in case the fish aren’t biting.
We suggest wearing comfortable closed toe shoes, pants, long sleeved shirt, hat, sunglasses.
By West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Stocker at 248.451.1908 or kstocker@wbparks.org. Simple Adventures will provide canoe, kayaks, life vests.
Marshbank Park - 2805 Hiller Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48324” Registration Required.
Learn more and register for the 9:00 AM or 10:15 AM slots for $9-$11 here.
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Water is all around us, literally! Learn about animals that call our local waterways home, conduct water experiments and make an aqua-themed craft. Cost is $5/person. Pre-registration with payment required. CRWC will provide trash bags, grabbers, gloves, t-shirt.
By Oakland County Parks & Rec. For questions, contact Sarah Endres at 248.585.0100 or endress@oakgov.com.
Red Oaks Nature Center - 30300 Hales St, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Registration Required. Registration can be completed online at oaklandcountyparks.com or by calling (248) 585-0100.
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Join CRWC and Representative Mentzer for a bi-partisan effort to improve local parks, community trails, and the Clinton River. This clean-up is open to individuals of all skill levels and encourages everyone, from residents to community leaders, to get involved directly in improving the health and natural beauty of the watershed.
PHOTOS
Take photos while participating in your River Day events and submit via email to cole@crwc.org for a chance to be featured in Watershed Announcements and on CRWC's social media pages!
Be sure to include:
Your name (as you would like to be credited)
Which event you attended
Any/all photos you would like to share with CRWC
RIVER DAY SPONSORS
River Day would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We offer them thanks for their contributions toward River Day and for protecting, enhancing, and celebrating the Clinton River watershed and Lake St. Clair.
For more information about sponsoring CRWC programs, click here.
