Open Outdoors – Urban Conservation https://urban.heartofthelakes.org Advancing Urban Conservation in Michigan Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:18:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Accessibility Open House https://urban.heartofthelakes.org/portfolio-item/luge-adventure-park/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:29:46 +0000 https://urban.heartofthelakes.org/?post_type=portfolio-item&p=7635

Accessible Outdoors

City:  Muskegon
Event: Accessibility Open House
Open Space: Luge Adventure Sports Park
Category:  Open Outdoors

Muskegon State Park shows how outdoor spaces can be made welcoming to all. With accessible pathways, ramps, and packed dolomite trails, people using wheelchairs can navigate the luge track, zip line, and other recreation areas with ease. By designing inclusive facilities, the community demonstrates that access to nature and adventure doesn’t have to be limited, allowing everyone to experience the health, joy, and connection that come from spending time outdoors.

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]]> Family Paddle Night https://urban.heartofthelakes.org/portfolio-item/grand-rapids-kayaking/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:25:19 +0000 https://urban.heartofthelakes.org/?post_type=portfolio-item&p=7590

Opening Doors
to Nature

City:  Grand Rapids
Event:  Family Paddle Night
Open Space: Riverside Park
Category:  Open Outdoors

GR Outside (Thrive Outside GR) connects local youth to the outdoors through school programs, nature-based outings, and a community gear library. By removing barriers to access, this initiative demonstrates how cities can nurture a new generation of outdoor stewards, turning urban neighborhoods into gateways for exploration, play, and environmental learning.

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]]> Sugarbush Ceremonial Tapping https://urban.heartofthelakes.org/portfolio-item/detroit/ Fri, 26 Jan 2024 21:18:08 +0000 https://urban.heartofthelakes.org/?post_type=portfolio-item&p=6662

Sweet Connections
In Detroit

City:  Detroit
Event: Sugarbush Ceremonial Tapping
Open Space: Rouge Park
Category:  Open Outdoors

A partnership between the National Wildlife Federation, the city of Detroit, and local advocacy groups links youth to Indigenous knowledge through the tradition of making maple syrup in Rouge Park. This connection between cultural heritage, ecological awareness, and urban green spaces illustrates how cities can foster meaningful outdoor experiences that honor both people and place.

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]]> Family Outing https://urban.heartofthelakes.org/portfolio-item/muskegon/ Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:48:32 +0000 https://urban.heartofthelakes.org/?post_type=portfolio-item&p=6481

Muskegon's Outdoor Playground

City:  Muskegon
Event:  Family Outing
Open Space: Luge Adventure Sports Park + Channel Campground
Category:  Open Outdoors

In Muskegon, outdoor adventure flows beyond the shoreline. Families can feel the thrill of the Luge Adventure Park, then shift to the calm of the Channel Campground by Lake Michigan, where rivers, dunes, and campfires invite reflection and connection. Together, these spaces show how urban-adjacent communities can offer both active and restorative experiences in nature.

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