"Redbuds Revealed" in April at Haven Hill
/Redbud Reveal was a fantastic day at Highland Recreation Area at the end of April. No redbuds yet, but great fun and enjoyment was had by all in attendance.
Read MoreHaven Hill Gate House Garage - New ADA Ramp Surface
/We as members of the Friends of Highland Recreation Area are doing our best to make all areas as accessible to everyone as possible. In 2013 the Haven Hill Gate House at the front of the park received a new ADA access ramp. The ramp surface aged over the last year, and was replaced last weekend.
The new surface will last throughout inclement weather conditions.
Come out and enjoy the Artist's display at the Redbud Reveal event on Saturday, April 26 between 12 noon and 4:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!
2014 Redbud Reveal on Saturday, April 26
/the Reveal will be held from 12 noon until 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 26 (rain date Sunday, April 27) at the Haven Hill Gate House at the entrance to Highland State Recreation Area.
Read MoreSnow Snake Races Cancelled Due to Frigid Weather
/The Snow Snake event at the Edsel Ford Barn in Highland State Recreation Area has been cancelled this weekend due to unsafe low temperatures and extreme wind chills. A new date of Sunday, February 9, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm has been scheduled.
Read MoreHow to Make A Snow Snake!
/How to make a snow snake...
Read MoreSnow Snake Numbers Expected to Increase at Highland State Recreation Area in 2014
/"Most were 36 inches in length, although we had some even longer than that. And all had beautiful coloration", he said. "Some of these snakes move very fast, and if your not watching closely one might go right by you as a blur of color before you even know it."
Read MoreDine with Edsel and Eleanor
/Help us raise funds for the refurbishing/re-use of the former Edsel Ford buildings in Highland Recreation Area. Questions call 248-698-2737
Read More“Henry Ford and Family: From Roots to Branches"
/The Friends of Highland Recreation Area are proud to present a wonderful oral presentation by Mr. Steve Stanford beginning with William Ford (Henry's grandfather) immigrating to America from Cork county, Ireland and continuing throughout the Ford family legacy in America.
Read MoreFOHRA at Waterford, Michigan Log Cabin Days!
/Head on over to Waterford Historical Society's Log Cabin Days this Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the anniversary of Michigan's statehood.
The Waterford Historical Society's Historic Village is located in Fish Hatchery Park @ 4490 Hatchery Road,Waterford, Michigan. Crescent Lake Road is a nearby cross street.
Make sure to visit the Friends of Highland Recreation Area booth to join our efforts at Highland State Recreation Area and to see some wonderful photos of our own "Log Cabin" the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Haven Hill Carriage House.
Walk the grounds of the Waterford Historical Society's Historic Village and see their original 1930's log cabin, Jacobers' General Store, a 1957 Grand Trunk Caboose, the Drayton Plains Depot, a water tower, Hardware Store, Print Shop, Carriage House, Dr.Dentist Office, Bakery, Barber Shop, and Millinery.
FOHRA members will be handing out fliers and information for this summers' Haven Hill Festival to be held Saturday, August 28 at the Goose Meadow in Highland State Recreation ARea. Drop on by and give us a shout!
Visit www.FOHRA.org and www.havenhillfestival.com for more information.
Fords, Friends, and Fun Fantastic!
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Yesterday's 1st annual Fords, Friends, and Fun in the Park event at Highland Recreation Area was terrific! Vintage Ford Model A and Model T vehicles lined the Goose Meadow Parking lot and attracted visitors from all over the Detroit metro area to what was once Edsel Fords' Haven Hill Estate.
Park Users' Groups such as the Highland Trail Riders, the United Flying Organization, and even visitor groups such as the Pontiac Lake Horseman's Association (PLHA), the Kensington Trail Riders, Michigan Barn Network, the Highland Equestrian Conservancy, and the White Lake Historical Society (to name a few) all put on great displays for the visiting public as well. Kyler's Koral of wonderful petting farm animals was a big hit too.
Below: A smiling goat who's about to get a snack in Kyler's Corral from the PLHA.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources had the park and meadow in tip-top shape for everyone. The smell of grilled hot dogs, donated baked goods and the sounds of music, all traveled across the Meadow on a light breeze during the warm summer day. Ice cream and cold pop and water were enjoyed buy all.
Above: The Highland Trail Riders display at Fords, Friends, and Fun in the Park 2009.
Games for young and old kids included fishing casting, wiffle ball golf, butterfly collecting, and frisbee toss. Below, an Optimist's volunteer shows fishing tackle to a family enjoying the day.
Members of "the Livingston A's", a regional Model A Restorer's Club (MARC), brought their prized vehicles from all over the area. Horns tooting and vintage engines purring made everyone reminisce of a by-gone era, while overhead the wizz of model airplanes from the United Flying Organization filled the sky.
The Highland State Recreation Area provides visitors with a wealth of activities from quiet forest hikes, to horseback riding and model airplane flying. The Haven Hill section of the park, entrance located off of Highland Road (M-59), is the site of what was once Edsel Ford's grand country estate. The estate was built in the 1920's and 30's, and preservation/repurposing plans for the historic structures are being pursued by the MDNR and the Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA).
Above: Pam Sienkiewicz, , Marge Sawruk, and Dick Russell, all members of FOHRA, pose amidst the vintage Ford cars.
The Fords, Friends, and Fun in the Park event was held primarily as a fund raiser for the Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA), the parks' support organization. Thanks goes out to everyone who attended and supported yesterday's event. Web links to groups' websites include:
Pontiac Lake Horseman's Association and Kyler's Corral
Michigan Barn Preservation Network
The White Lake Historical Society
The Highland Equestrian Conservancy
The United Flying Organization
and FOHRA...
Have a great summer!
