SUMMER
PLEASURES

PARK IT

This play structure at
Bloomer Park in West
Bloomfield attracts
children and parents
all summer long.

Acres and acres

of parks in the

metro area

beckon kids and

parents alike.

MEGAN SWOYER

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

S18

West Bloomfield's Bloomer
Park is the site for the
Puppet-Theatre. Shows this
summer are 1 p.m. July 8,
July 22 and August 12.

can't drive past
a park without
my 2-year-old in
the back seat
kicking his legs,
flailing his arms
and pleading for me to stop.
"Park, park! Let's go...park!," he
begs.
Usually, I welcome his re-
quests. An hour or so at a park
provides fresh air, exercise, time
to explore and an opportunity to
meet other children (and par-
ents). It also lets him blow off
some steam and get good and
tired. All parents love to put chil-
dren to bed who are bushed,
zapped and content to sleep com-
fortably through the night. Parks
— they're great.
Adding variety to a child's life
is also a requirement for good
moms and dads. And that's not

I

Megan Swoyer is the editorial
consultant for Style magazine.

always easy. But thanks to an
abundance of playgrounds, vast
green spaces, riding stables,
sandboxes and monkey bars in
the metropolitan Detroit area,
parents have their pick of great
adventures. One could actually
visit a different park twice a week
during the summer and early fall
and still have some unexplored
ones waiting for next year. Roy-
al Oak alone has 50 parks!
Here's a list of some of our fa-
vorite parks, from small, com-
munity play areas to major State
and Metro Parks. Because South-
field and Royal Oak have nu-
merous parks, it's best to call the
city of Royal Oak (810-5449710)
and the city of Southfield (810-
3549603) directly.

Addison Oaks, Oxford, 1480 W.
Romeo, north of the city of
Rochester, (810) 693-2432. Swim-
ming, hiking and nature area.
Extra special: Beautiful trees.

Beverly Park, Beverly Road,
Beverly Hills, (810) 646-6404.
Pavilion available for rental,
playground, swings, tennis court,
basketball court. Extra special:
Pond vistas.

Bloomer Park, on Richardson
Road between Haggerty and
Green Lake, West Bloomfield.
(248) 738-2500. Large picnic area,
play structure, some nature
trails. Extra special: Lake vistas.

Boulan Park, Off of Crooks
Road between 16 and 17 Mile
Roads, Troy, (248) 524-3484.
Three ball diamonds, eight ten-
nis courts, two picnic shelters,
play structures. Extra special:
Concession stand.

Civic Center Park, 4641 Wal-
nut Lake Road, West Bloomfield,
(248) 738-2500. Nature trails. Ex-
tra special: Parks and Recreation
Center and library to complete
your kids' day of fun.

Dodge No. 4 State Park, 4250
Parkway, off Cass Elizabeth
Lake Road, Waterford, (248) 682-
0800. Playground and beach. Ex-
tra special: Concession stand.

Firefighters Park, off Square
Lake Road between Crooks and
Coolidge, Troy, (248) 524-3484.
Play structure, disc golf course,
sand volleyball courts, concession
stand. Extra special: Lake fishing.

Gainsboro Park, Wellesley St.,
off Woodward on east side, south
of 696, Pleasant Ridge, (248) 542-
7322. Swing sets, play structure,
shelter, tennis courts, basketball
courts. Extra special: Borders a
railroad track. Kids get to hear
and see a choo choo now and
then.

Highland Recreation Area,
5200 East Highland Road, Mil-
ford, (248) 887-5135. Playground
and beach. Extra special: Riding
stable.