The Metroparks’ top 10 suggestions for the Fourth of July Weekend are:

1. Take a Cruise – Explore the waters and islands of the lower Detroit River aboard the “Clinton” at Lake Erie Metropark, or take in the sights and sounds of Kent Lake aboard the “Island Queen II” at Kensington Metropark.  The 35-passenger “Clinton” gives two-hour cruises, $15/adult, $10/child each day with a special four-hour cruise July 5, $20/adult, $15/child, advance reservations required. The 37-passenger “Island Queen II” pontoon boat gives a 45-minute tour every hour; $4/adult, $3 children and seniors, children under 2 free.  

2. Golf Tour - Get that “up north” feel while golfing at Stony Creek Metropark, where the heavily wooded course rivals many northern links, or try the back-to-back wooded par-5’s at Hudson Mills Metropark.  Narrow fairways and doglegs are the challenge at Willow Metropark, and Lake Erie Metropark’s 20 acres of ponds make water a hazard. Plus, other great courses are at Huron Meadows, Indian Springs, Kensington and Wolcott Mill Metroparks. Par-3 courses at Metro Beach and Lower Huron Metroparks are geared for all levels of play.  Most greens fees $22 - $26, 18 holes, cart extra.

3. Get Wet - Let the kids burn energy at a pool, sprayground or aquatic center.  Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center, Lower Huron Metropark, offers two waterslides, an endless lazy river, water playscape with a dumping bucket and a pool, $8 adults, $6 children (under 48”), kids under 30” free, twilight rate after 5 pm, $5. Splash ‘n’ Blast, Kensington Metropark, has two waterslides and a sprayground, $4 adults, $3 children 15 and younger and seniors, twilight rate after 5 pm $3/adult, $2/children.  The Great Wave, Lake Erie Metropark’s wave pool, is $5 adults, $3.50 children and seniors, children under 30” free; twilight rate after 5 pm, $3.  Olympic-size pool, diving area and waterslides at Metro Beach Metropark are $3/person; the nearby Squirt Zone sprayground, free.  Olympic-size swimming pool, Willow Metropark, $3.  “Spray ‘n’ Play” sprayground/playground at Indian Springs Metropark, free. 

4. Sun ‘n’ Sand - Relax and cool off on the swimming beaches at Kensington, Metro Beach or Stony Creek Metroparks. 

5. Sunrise, Sunset - Watch the sunrise at Metro Beach or Lake Erie Metroparks – walk along the shoreline for a spectacular sunrise on Lake St. Clair or Lake Erie.  Evenings, view the sunset at Stony Creek or Kensington Metroparks – 500-acre Stony Creek Lake at Stony Creek Metropark and 1200-acre Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark provide beautiful backdrops.  Best viewing spots:  Eastwood Beach on Stony Creek Lake or the East Boat Launch on Kent Lake.   

6. Pave the Way – Bicycle, in-line skate, jog or walk any of the paved hike/bike trails, including the 15-mile (one-way) trip from Lower Huron to Oakwoods Metropark.  More than 50 miles of paved trails among all the parks, most offer views of lakes and rivers.

7. Down on the Farm - Escape city life by taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the Farm Centers at Wolcott Mill or Kensington Metroparks.  Meet the cows, goats, sheep, horses and other animals.  Horse-drawn wagon rides Friday – Sunday at Kensington Metropark, noon – 4 pm, $5/adults, $3/children; and noon – 3 pm at Wolcott Mill Metropark, on Sunday, July 6, $3/person, weather permitting.

8. Paddle Away - Canoe or kayak the Huron River from Hudson Mills Metropark to Delhi Metropark, or paddle a kayak on the lakes at Kensington or Stony Creek Metroparks.  Reservations required for the Huron River trip; call Skip’s Canoe Livery at 734-769-8686, $35/canoe, $30 kayak.  Kayaks at Kensington, Stony Creek Metroparks $5/hour.  Paddleboats at Kensington, Stony Creek and Willow Metroparks, $10/hour.

9. Take a Hike – Wear sturdy shoes, bring the bug spray and hike the trails, there’s nearly 100 miles of nature trails, among the 13 parks.  Look for wildlife along the way, and be sure to stop in at the Interpretive Center to see the exhibits or find out what you saw on the trail.  Special interpretive programs on selected dates at Hudson Mills, Indian Springs, Lake Erie and Wolcott Mill Metroparks.

10. Go Fish – Bring your fishing rod and tackle to fish from the docks on the lakes or along the miles of river shoreline.  Rowboats for rent at Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark, Stony Creek Lake at Stony Creek Metropark, Maltby Lake at Huron Meadows Metropark and Washago Pond at Willow Metropark, $5/hr.

“It’s just a gallon or two of gas to reach just about any Metropark,” says Jim Bresciami, HCMA director.  “With the price of gas skyrocketing, the Metroparks are a great choice for a holiday trip close to home.”

A vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is only $20 annually for regular admission, $12 annually for seniors, or $4 daily.  

Get more info at www.metroparks.com or by calling 1 (800) 47-PARKS.