Latest Blog Post

Festive Fun for the Whole Family at the Holiday Market

Enjoy an afternoon of holiday festivities at the Oakland County Holiday Market in Waterford from 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3. You’ll find everything you need to deck your halls with seasonal greenery and fill stockings with locally made baked goods and gifts during this festive evening market.

Stay warm and cozy as you toast up a treat at the s’mores station then enjoy a wagon ride around the market. Round out your evening with a visit to the reindeer photo station. You won’t want to miss your chance to pose with this North Pole visitor!

The Oakland County Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through December. Check out the Michigan Produce Availability Guide to stay up to date on what produce will be available during your visit.

Other Recent Blog Posts

Two Oakland County Parks earn Old-Growth Forest Recognition 

Parts of the forest at Independence Oaks and Addison Oaks county parks have received an Old-Growth  Forest Recognition from The Old-Growth Forest Network.

Read the full Old-Growth Forest Network blog post

Don't Hibernate! Your All-Terrain Adventure Awaits at Holly Oaks ORV Park 

Don’t let the changing weather keep you from adventure. Holly Oaks ORV Park is open through the fall  and winter for all-terrain adventures. Enjoy the ever-changing terrain of this 215-acre former mine, featuring everything from mud flats to rocky cliffs.

Read the full Holly Oaks blog post

Enjoy Farm-Fresh Produce This Fall!  

The fall harvest is here, which means a colorful variety of farm-fresh produce is now available at the Oakland County Farmers Market! From leafy greens to root veggies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season. Visit the Farmers Market from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from May through December and on Saturdays from January to April.

Enjoy Adaptive Recreation through Fall and Winter  

Outdoor adventures are a great way to appreciate the changing season and Adaptive Recreation at Oakland County Parks offers exciting programs, accessible facilities, and adaptive equipment rentals for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities across our parks.

Read the full Fall, Winter Adaptive Recreation blog post

Fall Camping is S'more Fun! 

Summer may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy outdoor recreation! Fall is a great time of year for camping, with cooler weather and beautiful fall foliage setting the scene for enjoyable days hiking, kayaking, and relaxing on cool nights by a crackling fire.

Nature Education Programs Offered

Screentime is an inevitable part of life now, but taking time to unplug and surround yourself with green space is a great solution to combat overstimulation and stress. And a wonderful way to embrace nature.

Studies show that time spent outside can reduce anxiety, improve attention span, mood, and even our empathy. When we connect with the plants and animals around us and learn about their amazing adaptations and qualities, we often feel a greater appreciation and connection to the planet.

Read the full Nature Education Programs blog post

Finding Joy and Connection In Outdoor Play 

National Play Outside Day is recognized on the first Saturday of every month and is a great excuse to plan a day full of fun outside with your friends and family.

Whether you take a bike ride around your neighborhood or organize a kickball game at your local park, you won’t regret taking the time to reconnect with your inner child and play this summer! In fact, studies show that one of the best ways to let go of your stress and anxiety is to engage in some authentic and curious outdoor play.

Read the full Outdoor Play blog post

Your Guide to Freshness and Community at the Oakland County Farmers Market 

If you’ve ever stood in front of a watermelon display and wondered how to find a ripe piece of fruit or had questions about which variety of apples to use in a pie, put the Oakland County Farmers Market on your next shopping list.

Not only will you have access to the freshest produce available (sometimes just picked the same morning), but you’ll be able to talk directly to the growers and producers about their offerings. They can answer questions, make helpful suggestions or introduce you to something new.

Read the full Farmers Market blog post

Buzz About It: Why Pollinators Matter

June is National Pollinator Month! Over millions of years, plants and their pollinators have developed a mutually beneficial relationship and are now inextricably linked. Plants attract pollinators with their colorful or fragrant flowers and offer them nectar and extra pollen as food. In exchange, pollinators carry pollen between flowers, helping them to reproduce despite the physical distance between individual plants.

Enjoy Adaptive Summer Recreation with OCP! 

When the weather warms up, everyone wants to be outside soaking up the sunshine and creating special memories. Accessible spaces and adaptive recreation programming make our parks welcoming for everyone.

This summer promises to be one of the busiest yet with activities for all interests, ages and abilities. From kayaking, biking and golfing to off-roading, airplane flights and carnival rides, take a look at what’s planned for summer 2025.

Read the full Summer Adaptive Programming blog post

Older Blog Posts

• Restore in the Outdoors - April 30, 2025

• First Tee of Spring at OCP Golf Courses - April 4, 2025