Commemorative Brick Pavers at Haven Hill in Highland Recreation Area - Spring Sale Order Now

Commemorative Brick Pavers at Haven Hill in Highland Recreation Area - Spring Sale Order Now

Create a long-lasting tribute to a friend, family member, or a beloved pet with an engraved brick paver permanently installed nearby the historic Haven Hill Gatehouse at Highland State Recreation Area. The Friends of Highland Recreation Area will be doing a brick installation in late April/early May. Orders received by March 25 to be installed later this spring.

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Water Flowing at Haven Hill Gatehouse Bottle Filling Station - Highland State Recreation Area

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area are proud to announce that a newly-installed water fountain and bottle filling station has be activated at the Haven Hill Gatehouse after receiving passing test results from the Oakland County Health Department. Hikers, bikers, walkers, and visitors of all kinds can now enjoy fresh water on this section of the Cedar Creek Trail.

Water is coming out of the ground at a cool temperature ~ 50 degrees. The fountain was made possible by a grant from the Highland Equestrian Conservancy. The HEC, FOHRA, and the MDNR all cooperated to achieve the goal.

The fountain has three outlets including a faucet for a standing adult, the lower faucet is ADA compliant for someone in a wheelchair, and the main use is the bottle filling feature in the top center. To supply the fountain (and eventually the Haven Hill Gatehouse, under renovation) a 5-inch well was drilled 75 feet down to the water table by Mike LaLone Well Services in November of 2018.

Come enjoy a visit to Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s former Haven Hill Estate Gatehouse and a drink of fresh water too!

Haven Hill Gatehouse Bottle Filling Station, Bob Hoffman representing the HEC, and FOHRA President Dick Russell.

Comment

John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Haven Hill Gate House Commemorative Bricks: Order Deadline Approaching

Dear Friends of Highland Recreation Area Supporters,

We are reaching the first engraving and installation of the commemorative Bricks at the Gate House, so we wanted to let you know that if you were planning to purchase a brick to honor or memorialize a loved one that you need to get your order placed by July 8th for our August installation.

If you did not save the form we mailed to you in February you can access and print one from our website www.fohravolunteers.org. Follow the links to the Bricks web page. "Click on the Brick".

If you do not have easy computer access, call the number on the form and we will be glad to mail you a hard copy.

To those of you who have already placed your orders, thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

The Ladies of FOHRA Fundraising Committee

Comment

John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Redbud Reveal 2013

To celebrate the arrival of the 2013 spring and summer season, the "Redbud Reveal" will be held from 12 noon until 4:00 pm on Sunday, April 28. Visitors are encouraged to come and see the historic Haven Hill Gate House, the Edsel Ford Barn, the Carriage House, and informative art and history displays atop Haven Hill.

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The Gatehouse

I had a new adventure the other day after the work day at the barn... I found and photographed the old Gatehouse to Haven Hill. It's located a hundred yards east of the Ranger Station. Click on the pics to see the larger version of each photograph. Gatehouse 1

What a neat old structure... rotting away unfortunately. I can just imagine guests to the area arriving here years and years ago, checking in with the attendants, and then shuttling off through the winding roads and hills towards the lodge!

Gatehouse 2

I'll learn more of this structure from other members of the Friends Group I'm sure. I can't wait to ask more about it. Amazing.

Gatehouse 3