Help Stop Thieves in Our Park!

The recent state of the economy has aggravated thievery in our parks. And Highland Recreation Area is no exception. Many vandals have turned to stealing metals for cash... the Edsel Ford Carriage House roof has been pried and pricked to remove some of its' old copper drip edges. This is just one example.

Please be aware of this illegal activity when you're in the park. Take note of suspicious groups or individuals that appear as though they may be out for "more than a nice day in the park". Consider carrying a pad and pen/pencil to jot down a description of suspicious people, vehicles, and license plate numbers.

If someones' carrying a tool who is not an FOHRA member or a DNR Officer they might be up to no good. Don't hesitate to report suspicious activities to the park office. And spread the word of care and concern for our park!. The best defense against criminal activity is an informed citizenry!

Carriage House Clean-Up

The Haven Hill Carriage House received a good lawn mowing and exterior clean-up this last month. An intrepid group from FOHRA gathered together with rakes, shovels, clippers, and a lawn mower to do a little summer cleaning. Here you can see the jungle of growth from this spring into July...

And below the area after the Friends Group work...

The historic Carriage House is just south of the Edsel Ford Haven Hill Lodge ruins. The building was a place for Edsel's vehicles and still stands watch near the ruins of the once stately retreat. It is the only remaining example in the park of the Lodge's construction techniques.. awesome log walls and stone fireplaces.

Weekend work like this is a lot of fun... and great exercise in the wonderful Highland Recreation Area wilderness. Come out and join us! We can be found in the key areas of the park... just look for the group with the shovels, brooms, rakes, and tools! Go to our FOHRA Website for more details...

1st Post Since the Barn Tragedy

I think I've been in a bit of a state of shock since the Edsel Ford Barn was damaged so badly by the severe storm front that tore through southern Michigan back in June. The tragedy has affected all of the members of the FOHRA in different ways I'm sure. The Haven Hill complex inside of the Highland State Recreation Area was forever changed by the event.

The before and after photographs kind of sum up the severity of the storm and it's damage to the structure. High winds broad-sided the aged barn, and the entire livestock area collapsed.

The FOHRA members and the DNR our persevering however... the group has been pursuing several possible salvage and renovation options. Decisions regarding the future of this historic structure are expected soon.

Meanwhile... the FOHRA is directing additional energy to the remaining structures in the Haven Hill complex. Stay tuned.

Evening Barn

Sometimes the spring sun is at the right angle each evening for the bandaged barn to really look nice. Click on the pic below to see a full-sized photo taken yesterday, May 17, 2008.

The trees almost make this look like a fall photo, but what you see is actually the evening "golden hour" sun on the new spring leaves.

Work Day Saturday, May 10, 2008: Fallen Tree Cleared

The combined efforts of the Friends of Highland Recreation Area volunteers and the DNR resulted in removal of a giant fallen tree off of the back fence yesterday. Great job everyone!

Above: Tree and Fence Before

Above: After!

Above: FOHRA volunteers working together with the DNR to complete the job.

OUR Recreation Area

I've never considered myself a "tree hugger"... just a nature lover, an outdoors person, someone who appreciates the wilder areas that are left on our planet. And ya know what makes me mad? It makes me angry when I find trash strewn along a lakeshore that was obviously deliberately left by someone, maybe even a family, after they enjoyed the same thing that I do.

Fishing bait plastic tubs, beer can, misc. - all could have been easily taken home by the users, or at least put in the trash cans near the meadow.

As members of the FOHRA let's remember to take along a trash bag when we hike, and pick up what we can. I suppose we have chosen to accept an obligation to make up for the members of the human race that can't think to do it themselves. That makes me feel better!

Take a walk in the park - spring is in full gear!

Spring Cleaning Begins!

A gang of FOHR members started some exterior debris pick-up around the barn on Sunday April 27th. Some interior work was continued also.

This weekends' activities felt like the first gathering of the Spring/Summer as the weather and temperatures were nice for working outside.

We used the "treasure" display to create an info. table for passers-by. The HUGE dumpster is getting filled (again) from all of the clean-up efforts!

Milford Earth Day Display

In the spirit of Earth Day and with our continued need to "get the word out" about the Friends of Highland Recreation, we attended the 2008 Earth Day festival in the park in Milford, Michigan on April 20th.

Mother Nature handed out free white pine sapplings, and gave everyone a fairly nice day for an outdoor celebration of spring. The FOHR display attracted a lot of visitors, and a lot of e-mail addresses to be added to our distribution list.

A photo collection and the "Treasure" display  was set up for guests to see.  Brochures and info. were handed out  to inform others of the Groups' activities.

What could be more Earth friendly than recycling an entire group of historic structures? Go FOHR!

Working Sunday Today

Head on over to the Rec. area today for a regular work party.  Demo and refuse disposal will be on the agenda.

Michigan Barn Preservation Network Conference a Success!

We had a great experience at the annual MBPN conference at the Kellogg Center in Lansing this weekend. It was amazing how many people are unaware of our gem of a park and barn! Our display seemed to draw the most attention with folks stopping by to ask and learn about our project.

Pam, Ted, Jay, Steve, Tim, Dick, and Chris all met and greeted a lot of interested people. The event for us was very much a "get out the word" opportunity.

Our themed "Edsel Ford Lost Treasure!" display was great. I think visitors could really feel our passion and enthusiasm about the project. We had "Promos" on DVD playing in the center of the display also.

It was a real surprise to receive an unexpected "Certificate of Appreciation" for our efforts to preserve the barn... Dick Russel accepted the certificate for the Friends.

The large graphics in our display that were designed by Chris and printed by Larry were awesome to say the least!

Bring on the next opportunity! We're ready!