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Wilder Side banner with Jonathan Schechter

A Musical Day at Depot Park 

I almost forgot about the existence of Depot Park until I saw a Clarkston Family Farm Facebook post promoting its free “Music in the Park” event at this extremely picturesque and well-maintained public park near downtown Clarkston.  That event occurred on Aug. 1.  I placed other tasks aside and headed off to Clarkston to relax, enjoy music by the Stardusters Big Band and, of course, explore the wilder side of the park.   

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Depot Park is a great place to meander or have a picnic and it even has modern play structures for children.  A bit of on-line research revealed this 35-acre park is the largest single property in the City of The Village of Clarkston.  I arrived an hour before “Music in the Park” was set to begin at 6 p.m.  Available adjacent parking was already scarce; traffic was backed up and the metered lots were busy.  (a) 

I skipped the metered lots and instead went to my parking plan B and headed towards the long-standing Kinetic Systems bicycle shop a short walk away on Main Street (M-15) and asked management if I could park in their lot since they close at 6 p.m.

With a gracious yes as their answer, it was time to wander blogback to the park and I also assured management I will be returning to that shop soon to explore E-Bikes.   It was then time to wander back to the park and cross a small foot bridge again. 

Although the centerpiece of Depot Park is their beautiful gazebo I wandered about exploring the very tame, wilder side of this gem.  Much of the park is a wetland, fed by a tributary of the Clinton River.  I was amazed at how many people had gathered and were already settled in on lawn chairs and blankets. I meandered over to the shoreline of the shallow river and watched a few fish heading up stream and took note of Canada Geese resting and grazing on the lawn. Their behavior told me they were obviously very accustomed to people. (b) 

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Depot Park is divided by a stream and a paved walking path surrounds the peaceful confines. Picnic areas and park benches dot either side of the stream and the grounds are well-maintained (c) 

Clarkston Family Farm staff and volunteers had areas set up where children could see and interact with rabbits and goats.  Their live animal areas were a hit I was not surprised to see signage with the words  “Have Fun, Be Safe, Dig It.”

That mantra is used at farm programs; something I discovered when I volunteered at the farm for some of their events. 

 Although I was not quick enough with my camera  to capture the moment, it was fun watching someone’s leashed dog walk up and sniff at a bronze statue of a dog.  I was told the dog’s name is Clark and it is a tribute to community volunteers. 

A live Monarch Butterfly display drew a small crowd and the monarchs gained their freedom to live out their life cycle. Young children were thrilled by the display and drew as much attention as a nearby face painting opportunity. 

I was pleased to note a bat house as I explored the park. blogThe habitat is ideal for bats. A good reminder of the role bats have in our environment as voracious consumers of mosquitos. (d) 

The music was enjoyable and a fairly large crowd that brought blankets and folding chairs crowded around the gazebo to enjoy the early evening entertainment. As for me, I wandered over a small bridge and watched the gentle flow of the east branch of the Clinton River to the accompaniment of the music.  

I wrapped up my slow-paced adventure by finding an empty bench.  It was the perfect place to sit back and relax and reflect on this small gem of park just a short walk from the restaurants of downtown Clarkston. If you’re looking for peaceful place to relax, consider Depot Park 

Additional Photo Credits: City of the Village of Clarkston, Clarkston Historical Society 

Oakland County Parks staffer Jonathan Schechter is an avid “nature-embracing” hiker who follows phenology - the study of natural cycles of nature’s way - to inspire his blogs.

Past The Wilder Side Blog Posts 

Oakland County Parks Blog Posts

Add two updated Oakland County parks to your summer rotation blog

Oakland County Parks has had a lot to celebrate recently. 

The Parks and Recreation Commission and staff have hosted ribbon cuttings at two parks, bringing upgraded and additional recreational amenities to residents.

Partnership agreements with Oak Park and Pontiac allow OCP to invest, operate and program the parks while the cities retain ownership. OCP invested $6.2 million in Oak Park Woods at David H. Shepherd Park and $3 million in Pontiac Oaks Park, formerly Hawthorne Park.

Read the Oak Park Woods and Pontiac Oaks blog post

Everything You Need to Plan the Perfect Picnic blog

Whether you’re enjoying a sunny afternoon at the playground, spending time with friends and family at Addison Oaks or Groveland Oaks campgrounds or simply exploring the trails, a picnic is the perfect opportunity to connect with each other and refuel your body for more outdoor adventures. 

The key to a memorable picnic is in the planning. Review the tips below to create a stress-free, fun and delicious picnic experience this summer.

Read the Perfect Picnic blog post

How the Oakland County Parks Grounds Crews Keep Five Golf Courses Beautiful 

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One of the first things you notice about a golf course is the condition of the lush fairways, smooth greens and perfectly manicured landscapes. What you might not be thinking about is the hard work that the dedicated grounds crew puts in behind the scenes to make this exceptional setting possible. 

Oakland County Parks operates five golf courses, and the grounds crews are at the heart of all of them, working seven days a week to create a phenomenal experience for everyone. 

Read the Oakland County Parks Grounds Crew blog post

Meet Us on the Midway: The Oakland County Fair Returns July 10-19 

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Get ready for a celebration that’s been decades — even centuries — in the making, as the Oakland County Fair will return to Springfield Oaks County Park this month.

Presented by Oakland County Parks, the fair will run July 10-19 with a packed lineup of events for agricultural enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, families and everyone in between. 

Read the Oakland County Fair blog post

Fresh Air, Fun Adventures: Outdoor Activities for Beginners 

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Spending time outdoors is a great way to reduce stress, clear your mind and work on your physical fitness goals. Even a short while outside can have a positive impact on your day. 

Oakland County Parks offers numerous ways to help you stay active during all four seasons, including walking, jogging, cycling, archery, disc golf, fishing, playgrounds, pickleball, swimming, golf and kayaking. There’s something for everyone, and you don’t need advanced skills or expensive equipment to explore all the beginner-friendly options.

Read the Beginner Activities blog post

National Pollinator Month 

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June is National Pollinator Month! We often think only about the beneficial relationships of pollinators, which receive food while plants get their pollen transferred for reproduction.

Evolution is an unthinking natural process that doesn’t care about fairness, though, which has led many species to evolve cheats or tricks — some downright amazing! 

Read the Pollinator Month blog post

Summer without limits: Your guide to accessible recreation in Oakland County 

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When the summer sun starts to shine and temperatures heat up, everyone naturally wants to head outside for fun activities and special memories. Accessible parks and adaptive recreation programming make the Oakland County Parks (OCP) welcoming for all guests.

Read the Summer Adaptive Recreation blog post

 

Spring is salamander season! 

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If you’re hiking the parks this time of year on a rainy day, look for salamanders crossing the trails. Oakland County Parks boasts at least eight species of these amazing amphibians. They will range in size and color, including spotted. 

Read the Salamander blog post

 

Rooted in History, Growing for the Future: Celebrating 60 years of Oakland County Parks

For 60 years, Oakland County Parks (OCP) has been providing recreation experiences for residents.

group gathered with Oakie in the OC Commission room

Before we knew it, six decades passed and OCP’s 17 parks emerged as essential resources for health and community connection across all corners of the county. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, OCP will host several special events for the public to enjoy, including Oakie’s Birthday Bash from 5:30-8:30 p.m. July 24 at Independence Oaks County Park.

Read the 60th Anniversary Proclamation blog post.

Something to Tweet About! Oakland County receives Michigan Bird City recognition

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Michigan Audubon designated Oakland County as the first Bird City Michigan Community of Natural Resources in 2026! By focusing on bird habitat restoration and protection, engaging the public, and ensuring these efforts are as sustainable as possible, the county is restoring much of its 7,000 acres of parkland into natural sanctuaries that benefit more than the health and well-being of residents – they also provide thriving habitats for local bird species!

Read the full Michigan Bird City recognition blog post

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