Lake St. Clair Metropark facts for kids

Lake St. Clair Metropark, also known as Metro Beach Metropark, is a big park covering 770 acres. It's part of the Huron–Clinton Metroparks system. You can find it about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Detroit, Michigan, in a place called Harrison Township in Macomb County.

This park first opened in 1950. It was originally named St. Clair Metropolitan Beach. Later, in 1953, its name changed to Metropolitan Beach Metropark. People then started calling it Metro Beach Metropark for short. On December 8, 2011, the park's name officially became Lake St. Clair Metropark.

The park is located near Jefferson Avenue and Metropolitan Parkway (also known as 16 Mile Road). You'll see signs for Lake St. Clair Metropark if you're driving on Interstate 94 (I-94).

Sometimes, Metro Beach has to close because of high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water. This can happen due to sewage overflows. For example, the beach was closed for nine days in 2009 because of this issue. Park officials work to keep the water safe for everyone.

Fun Activities at Lake St. Clair Metropark

Lake St. Clair Metropark offers many exciting things to do all year round!

Summer Fun and Water Sports

One of the main attractions is the 1,000-foot-long Metro Beach, which is right on Lake St. Clair. Even though the park's name changed, the beach still keeps its old name.

If you love being on the water, the park has marinas and boat launches. This makes it easy to bring your own boat or watch others enjoy the lake.

For swimming and splashing, there's an Olympic-sized pool. It even has two cool water slides and a fun inflatable obstacle course! Kids can also enjoy the "Squirt Zone," a special area with equipment that shoots water for playful fun.

Sports and Nature Exploration

If you like golf, there's an 18-hole Par 3 golf course. There's also a miniature golf course for a more relaxed game.

The park has fitness trails perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. You can explore the beautiful outdoor areas.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Nature Study Area and Nature Center. This is a great place to learn about local wildlife. Over 275 different kinds of birds have been seen here! There's also a paved, one-mile trail that follows the shoreline of Lake St. Clair, offering great views.

Winter Activities

When winter arrives, Lake St. Clair Metropark transforms into a snowy playground. You can go ice-fishing on the frozen lake. There are also groomed trails perfect for cross-country skiing. And if you enjoy gliding on ice, you can go ice skating!

Interesting Facts About the Park

• The point of land that reaches into Lake St. Clair used to be a separate island.
• On a clear day, you can see the Nine Mile Tower in St. Clair Shores from the park. You might even spot the Renaissance Center in Detroit across Lake St. Clair.
• Even though the park is in a busy suburban area, wild deer live within Lake St. Clair Metropark. This is true for many other parks in the Metro Detroit area.