Detroit has never looked better. Flowers are blooming, the trees are budding and the grass has turned green. It’s clear that Mother Nature is at work. That means it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy activities that celebrate the environment through a variety of Earth Day events.

Check out outdoor crafts, a big cleanup or a great walking tour with your friends or family this weekend.

If you’re looking for even more great things to do this weekend and beyond, check out this month’s GOguide, which makes it even easier to find fun, family-friendly activities.

Enjoy the Earth: Find out more about Earth Day with music, crafts and more. Learning about Mother Earth has never been so much fun.

APRIL 22; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
EARTH DAY EVENT
Nankin Mills Interpretive Center
33175 Ann Arbor Trail
Westland, MI 48185
734-261-1990
Come out and celebrate Earth Day with Wayne County Parks. Enjoy a celebration of nature featuring live animal shows, music, crafts, speakers and “nutty nature” actors performing educational skits. Park at the lot on Ann Arbor Trail and Hines Drive.
Registration: Pre-registration not required
Cost: FREE
Learn more: Call 734-261-1990 or visit waynecounty.com/dps/news-and-events

Clean it up: Humans have a huge impact on the environment. Learn how to keep the Earth clean with simple steps at this kid-friendly event.

APRIL 22; 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
EARTH DAY CLEAN-UP
Lake St. Clair Metropark
31300 Metropolitan Pkwy.
Harrison Township, MI 48045
586-463-4332
Volunteers ages 9 and older are needed to help clean up the Lake St. Clair Metropark area. Liter pickup is particularly needed to help keep wildlife areas clear of fishing lines and plastic bags, which are dangerous to wildlife. A free lunch will be provided at the Activity Center.
Registration: Pre-registration requested / Call 586-463-4332 or email lsc.nature@metroparks.com
Entry: Metroparks vehicle entry permit required / $35 (annual); $21 (annual) seniors; $10 daily
Cost: FREE
Learn more: metroparks.com/event/earth-day-clean

Auntie Na’s House: Never heard of this Auntie before? Then you’ve got to check it out. Over the years, Auntie Na’s House has served as a food pantry, after-school program, clothes distribution hub, community garden, free childcare center, community meals space and temporary shelter. This weekend Auntie Na’s is hosting its monthly bazaar, which is a blast and brings back memories of what backyard events were all about – good food, good people, and great fun!

SATURDAY; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
MONTHLY BAZAAR
Auntie Na’s House
18028 Yellowstone Street
Detroit, MI 48213
313-808-8949
Hang out with some of the coolest neighbors around at Auntie Na’s House. The event includes bike repairs, item swap, a blood-pressure clinic, bounce house and more. Bring a dish to pass for a potluck dinner.
Cost: FREE
Learn more: https://auntienashouse.wordpress.com/

Get moving: Take a hike through some of Wayne County’s most spectacular marshlands. It’s awash with wildflowers and newly hatched waterfowl. You’ll want to bring a friend or two to enjoy the view.

DAILY; Dawn to Dusk
HIKING
Crosswinds Marsh Park
27600 Haggerty Rd.
New Boston, MI 48164
734-654-1223
Visit one of the largest manmade marshes in Wayne County and take a 1 1/2-mile hike across its boardwalks or walk the eight short trails. Enjoy the park’s wetlands, beautiful meadows and upland forests that attract more than 240 species of birds and 40 species of mammals as well as reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Cost: FREE
Learn more: facebook.com/pages/Crosswinds-Marsh-Wetland-Interpretive-Preserve/193757317393074?rf=137594766299024

Check out the city: Even if you think you know Detroit, chances are the good folks at the Detroit Experience Factory will teach you a thing or two about the city on this fabulous family-friendly walking tour.

SATURDAYS; 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
WALKING TOUR
Detroit Experience Factory
123 Monroe St.
Detroit, MI 48226
313-962-4590
Take a guided walking tour showcasing Detroit’s major developments, unique shops, one-of-a-kind restaurants and recently renovated residential options. You’ll also see some of Detroit’s great historical spots and world-renowned architecture. Dress for outdoor weather. If weather permits, participants walk the entire tour. In case of inclement weather, the People Mover will be used for transportation.
Registration: Individuals not required to pre-register, registration of large groups appreciated
Cost: FREE
Learn more: detroitexperiencefactory.org

Roll on: Bring whatever wheels you prefer and get outside with this fun event. Everyone is welcome to ride, walk, run or skate through.

SATURDAYS; 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
SAFE WALK-RUN-SKATE-BIKE DAY
Hines Drive – Ann Arbor Trail to Outer Drive
734-281-1990
On Saturday, May 6, Hines Drive will close to traffic from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to provide a vehicle-free environment to walk, run, skate or cycle along a six-mile route. Parking is available at the Hines Park-Helms Haven Area (Hines Drive, west of Outer Drive) and Hines Park-Nankin Mills Picnic Area (Hines Drive, east of Ann Arbor Trail).
Cost: FREE
Learn more: Call Wayne County Parks at 734-281-1990
https://www.waynecounty.com/dps/5214.htm

Island beauty: Everything is starting to bloom at Belle Isle. You’ve got to get out to see the sights and appreciate the view.

WALK/RIDE/RUN BELLE ISLE
Belle Isle
East Jefferson & East Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48207
313-396-0217
The stunning landscape of this park makes this one of Detroit’s best places to walk, ride or run.
Entry Fee: Park entry fee required / See Michigan Recreation Passport for details
Free Pass: See Michigan Activity Pass for details.
Learn more: michigan.org/property/belle-isle-park

Get green: See what’s new at the Conner Creek Greenway, a great series of paths that go through the city and allow you to take time to see it all.

RIDE
CONNER CREEK GREENWAY
Bike along the Conner Creek Greenway paths, a mix of bike lanes, shared roadway and off-road paths, which begin at Maheras Gentry Park on the Detroit River and head north along Conner Avenue.
Learn more: Call 313-331-3495 or visit connercreekgreenway.org/conner-creek-greenway-2

Savor the Southwest: Get a taste of Detroit’s oldest communities through these great bike lanes through Corktown and Southwest. The city is looking good and you’ll get a slow ride through it.

RIDE
CORKTOWN BIKE LANES
Families love riding along the 16 miles of new bike lanes that link Corktown and Southwest Detroit (Mexicantown). It is a part of 400-plus-mile “chain of lanes” in the city that feed into the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route Detroit Alternate, which runs from Detroit to Lake St. Clair.
Learn more: https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/ugrr-detroit-alternate/

You’ve gotta have art: Whether you walk or ride through, the Dequindre Cut is full of great art that will stimulate your eyes, mind and soul.

WALK/RIDE/RUN
DEQUINDRE CUT GREENWAY
Discover this family-friendly, paved pathway in downtown Detroit. The trail has separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. Look for entrance ramps at Lafayette Street, Gratiot Avenue and Woodbridge Street.
Learn more: traillink.com/trail/dequindre-cut-greenway

Editor’s Note: To see more local activity listings, including information about Detroit’s ever-popular Slow Roll events, see TheHUB’s GOguide monthly activity calendar, sponsored by the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

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