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Parks & Recreation



Wayne County Parks News

2025 Special Events Brochure
The Wayne County Parks Special Events and Interpretive Program brochure is now available. You can pick up a physical copy at the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center Monday - Friday from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM or click the link below. In addition, if your organization would like copies of the brochure, please call (734) 261-1990 and we will make arrangements to drop off a box.

2025 Special Events Brochure
Photo Policy
The staff of Wayne County Parks often take photos of participants taking part in sponsored programs or enjoying the parks. Please be aware that these photos are for promotional purposes to be used on the Wayne County website, in Wayne County Parks brochure and flyers, on social media and in newspapers without compensation. Participants consent to being photographed for such purposes, unless Wayne County Parks staff is notified otherwise.
2025 Park Permits
Wayne County Parks is now taking reservations for the 2025 park rental season, which is May through September. Reservations can be made by visiting the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center in Westland from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday or online by clicking HERE. For more information, please call (734) 261-1990.
Download the 2025 Park Permit Information Package

Nankin Mills Interpretive Center
The Nankin Mills Interpretive Center is open Monday - Friday from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM for the public to enjoy the nature and history displays. In addition, the front desk is open for dog park registration, metal detector permits and general questions. The address for the Nankin Mills Intepretive Center is 33175 Ann Arbor Trail in Westland.

Wayne County Parks Dog Park
Registration for the upcoming dog park season (June 9, 2025- April 30, 2026) is open at the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center in Westland. Please note that the dog park is closed through June 8, 2025, for reseeding. Click HERE for the dog park rules and membership application form. Please note, you will need to bring copies of your city dog license and rabies/distemper vaccination records to register your dog and the membership is not pro-rated.

WAYNE COUNTY PARKS STRATEGIC MASTER PLAN
Wayne County Parks has updated its 5 Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan which serves as a guidebook to direct funding and actions for parks improvements and recreation services.. Click HERE to review the Master Plan.


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News & Events

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Fishing Fun Day at the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge
Fishing Fun Day at the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge
6/7/2025 9:00 AM - 6/7/2025 1:00 PM
The next fishing fun day is coming on June 7th. Bait and a limited number of fishing poles will be available. It is recommended to bring your own!
Family Fun Fishing Day
Family Fun Fishing Day
6/7/2025 9:00 AM - 6/7/2025 12:00 PM
Come out and enjoy a morning of free fishing, hikes, and workshops!
Home School Thursdays: Fun Guy Fungi
Home School Thursdays: Fun Guy Fungi
6/12/2025 1:00 PM - 6/12/2025 3:00 PM
Our staff naturalist, a fun guy, will provide learning about fungi. This will include an interactive presentation with 'sporeadic' props, a mushroom themed craft and a hike around a half mile to see mushrooms growing in our park.
Turtle Nest Crew at Crosswinds Marsh
Turtle Nest Crew at Crosswinds Marsh
6/20/2025 5:30 PM - 6/20/2025 6:00 PM
We are in need of volunteers to hike the trails in search of turtle nests. Learn when and what to look for and how to report observations so that we can protect them. 
Summer Solstice Hike
Summer Solstice Hike
6/20/2025 6:00 PM - 6/20/2025 8:00 PM
Join us on the longest day of the year to search for frogs and identify wildflowers. 
Sensory Painting
Sensory Painting
6/24/2025 9:30 AM - 6/24/2025 11:30 AM
All five senses will be engaged during this painting activity! We will see, hear, and feel non-toxic paint, and we will make paint that is safe to smell and even taste! All supplies will be provided to registered participants.
Home School Thursdays: Sustainability
Home School Thursdays: Sustainability
6/26/2025 1:00 PM - 6/26/2025 3:00 PM
Learn all the interesting ways people can better live in harmony with nature. Discover our local history of alternative energy dating back over 100 years! Learn about native plants and the animals they can bring to your yard and the benefits of home grown
Thursday Nights at Nankin: Frogs
Thursday Nights at Nankin: Frogs
6/26/2025 6:30 PM - 6/26/2025 8:30 PM
Learn all the species of frogs and toads in our area as well as their calls in an informative presentation. HOP over to our local wetland for a hike to look and listen for frogs and try your hand at catching some tadpoles!
Jazz on the River
Jazz on the River
8/2/2025 10:00 AM - 8/3/2025 9:00 PM
Join us for two days of smooth jazz at Elizabeth Park at Jazz on the River on August 2-3, 2025!
Fishing Derby
Fishing Derby
9/28/2025 8:00 AM - 9/28/2025 11:00 AM
All anglers need to bring their own equipment and bait. There will be prizes for longest, shortest, heaviest and lightest fish in different age groups.