summer fun guide

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Mammoths at bat at
Jimmy John’s Field

Rivard Plaza
playscape

several miles along the Detroit
River. In addition to great views,
there are plenty of places to explore.
Highlights for the little ones include
a splash pad, play park and river-
themed carousel at Rivard Plaza.
There, visitors will find a granite
map of the Detroit River, a glass
sculptured map of the St. Lawrence
Seaway, the RiverWalk cafe and
Wheelhouse Detroit
(wheelhousedetroit.com), a bike
shop offering tours and bike rentals,
including large tricycles and kids’
bikes. Also located at the Plaza is
Diamond Jack’s River Tours
(diamondjack.com), a company
offering public tours and private
charters along the Detroit River.
Mt. Elliott Park
(detroitriverfront.org/riverfront/
east-riverfront/mt-elliott-park),
located on the East Riverfront, fea-
tures a Great Lakes-themed play
area with water cascades, cannons,
wind chimes and other kid-friendly,
interactive features. The newly
renovated park was designed to be
accessible for all ages and abilities.
When’s the last time you vis-
ited Belle Isle (michigandnr.
com/parksandtrails/Details.
aspx?id=736&type=SPRK)? There
is so much to do on this 987-acre
island. Here are seven things your
family can enjoy during your visit.
• See the James Scott Memorial
Fountain.
• Explore the Dossin Great Lakes
Museum.
• Visit the Anna Scripps
Whitcomb Conservatory.
• Check out the oldest aquarium
in the United States.
• Swim at the Belle Isle Beach.
• Ride the giant slide.
• Enjoy the small, but free, zoo.

TAKE ME OUT
TO THE BALL GAME
Nothing says summer like a night
at the baseball park. Creating
memories at Comerica Park has to
include an obligatory photo with the
giant tiger statues in front of the sta-
dium and a ride on the carousel and
Ferris wheel. But the Detroit Tigers
(detroit.tigers.mlb.com/ticketing)
aren’t the only game in town.
Last year marked the inaugu-
ral season for the United Shore
Professional Baseball League
(uspbl.com), whose four teams play
their games at Jimmy John’s Field
in Utica. Each team is comprised
of top-level college athletes from
around the country — last year, nine
players were picked up by Major
League Baseball organizations.
Ticket prices start at $6 for lawn
seats and go as high as $35 for front-
row club seats.
Located a stone’s-throw (or
fastball pitch) from the Michigan
Capitol Building in Lansing sits
Cooley Law School Stadium, home
to the Lansing Lugnuts (milb.
com/index.jsp?sid=t499). The sta-
dium seats more than 10,000 fans
and is considered one of the most
handicapped-accessible stadiums in
the country. The Lugnuts, a Class-A
minor-league team affiliated with
the Toronto Blue Jays, have their
own team song — “Go Nuts” — and
a team mascot, Big Lug. Ticket pric-
es start at $8 for lawn seats and go
as high as $35.
Of course, we can’t forget about
the Toledo Mud Hens (milb.com/
index.jsp?sid=t512), a minor-league
team affiliated with the Tigers.
Tickets prices start at $15.

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June 8 • 2017

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