One of the things our REALTORS® have grown to love most about life in Milford, MI is the ability to enjoy the great outdoors close to home. The Milford area offers an endless array of parks, lakes, forests, and trails that are just minutes from downtown. Today, we'd like to highlight one of our favorites—Kensington Metropark.

A Perfect Outdoor Destination

Kensington Metropark encompasses 4,486 acres of rolling hills, lush woodlands and remote wetlands around the shores of Kent Lake. The park supports diverse populations of wildlife and waterfowl, making it a great place for bird watching and photography. The park also offers brilliant fall foliage and spectacular sunsets.

The centerpiece of the park is Kent Lake, a 1,200-acre reservoir that provides great swimming, fishing, and boating. Best of all, because the park is completely encircled by Kensington Metropark, its shoreline is almost entirely undeveloped, making it one of the wildest and most pristine lakes in the region.

Lots to See and Do

Open daily throughout the year from 6 am to 10 pm, Kensington Metropark is one of the great destinations for outdoor recreation in the Milford area. No matter how you prefer to enjoy the natural world, chances are you can do it at Kensington Metropark.

• Play a round of golf. The park is home to a 6,624-yard, par-71 golf course with varied terrain and beautiful tree-lined fairways. It's perfect for golfers of all skill levels (There's also a 27-hole disc golf course).
• Take a boat out on the lake. Two boat launches provide a place to put a boat in the water. Nearly 100 slips are also available for rent each season. The lake's calm waters are perfect for canoes and kayaks, but larger craft is permitted as well (a 10 mph speed limit is enforced). Paddleboats, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are available to rent.
• Go for a swim. Swimming is permitted at Martindale Beach all summer long, though no lifeguards are posted, so use caution. Just up the shore from the beach, the Splash N' Blast water park offers two 240-foot twisted water slides and many other features.
• Have a picnic. It's hard to imagine a better place for a summer picnic than Kensington Metropark. The park is home to several shady picnic areas with tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, playgrounds, ball fields and reservable picnic shelters.
• Go fishing at Kent Lake. The lake offers excellent fishing for bass and panfish, and also harbors populations of walleye and northern pike. Fishing piers are located at the West Boat Launch, and you'll find ample shore access along the lake's east shore.
• Take a hike. The 8-mile paved trail that encircles the lake is great for walking, biking, and jogging, and offers scenic views of the park. For a more secluded hike, the park's Nature Study Area is home to an additional 7 miles of trails that explore a wide variety of habitats, and are open to hiking only. Other trails in the park are open to mountain biking or horseback riding.
• Visit the Nature Center. In addition to the park's miles of nature trails, the Nature Center allows visitors to explore the local wildlife. Park guides can answer regarding the Nature Center residents like the turtles, snakes, fish and Ranger the Red-tailed hawk that live there. 
• Ride the Island Queen. The Island Queen III is a 46-passenger pontoon boat that takes scenic cruises on Kent Lake from May through October. It's a perfect way to relax and enjoy some of the best views of the park.
• Have some winter fun. When the snow flies, Kensington Metropark is a destination for cross-country skiing, ice fishing, sledding, tubing, and snowboarding.

If you're looking for Milford homes for sale near Kensington Metropark, our team is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about finding your dream home in Milford, MI.