Rouge Rundown – August, 9 2023 – Summer Paddling | Pollinator Gardens | Teachers in Action | Tree Events & More!

August 9, 2023
ROUGE RUNDOWN

New Date! Friends of the Rouge and Outdoor Afro Upcoming Paddle Trip!

Join Friends of the Rouge and Outdoor Afro for an unforgettable paddle trip on the Rouge River! The new trip date is August 13 from 9:30am – 12:30pm at the Morton-Taylor Trailhead in Canton. Motor City Canoe and Kayak will provide livery and shuttle services. If you are bringing your own boat, there is a $10 shuttle fee. It is $40 to rent a kayak or canoe.

End of Summer Tree Events with Friends

You are invited to join with Friends of the Rouge tending trees and rain gardens for the better of the Rouge River, the world, and you! Click the link to below to join a volunteer experience that makes an impact.

Volunteer for Trees & Gardens this Summer!

School Teachers are Ready to Rock Rouge River Science!

Amazing local teachers gathered at Plymouth Township Park with Friends to brush up on their Rouge River bug identification and get ready for a wonderful year ahead with the Rouge Education Project.

Kellie Stark, Livonia Public Schools art teacher and Green Schools team leader, pictured above, brings every 3rd grader at her school to the Rouge River to participate in hands-on River science. Kellie says it best:

“I am a really big advocate for project-based learning. We have a lot of environmental issues that we’ve got to get students to care about. That doesn’t happen with students filling out worksheets. We’ve got to get them outside. Doing science.”

More about the REP

Summer Magic Paddle Trip

Experience a guided paddle trip on the Lower Rouge Water Trail in Inkster! (route TBD) Friends of the Rouge will also offer free demo paddle trips from Colonial Park to Inkster Park. Space is limited. You must register to participate! The first 25 Inkster residents paddle the guided tour for free.

Merriman Hollow Native Pollinator Garden is Calling You!

You are invited to make the world more beautiful on Saturdays now through October, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Experience the zen of the award-winning native demonstration garden at the Merriman Hollow Recreation Area in Hines Park. The site is on Hines Drive at the Merriman entrance between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren (where you enter for the Holiday light show in December).

Rain Garden Ripple Effect a Success

What a Rain-tastic day at the Livonia Civic Center Library with University of Michigan and almost 100 community members who joined the morning rain garden presentation and afternoon workshop sessions on garden design and barriers to install! What an amazing ripple effect for a brighter future—as you install more rain gardens and spread the good word!

With thanks to the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute!

Build a Rain Garden

Hype Athletics Paddle Trip

Join Friends of the Rouge for the Hype Athletics Paddle Trip presented by MetroParks on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 9:00am – 1:00pm at Goudy Park in Wayne! Experience a guided paddle trip on the Lower Rouge River Water Trail. MetroParks is partnering with Friends of the Rouge and Hype Athletics to provide free kayak rental to the first 25 event registrants from Hype Athletics! This will be a 1hr paddle trip! (Route TBD) There is a $45 boat rental fee that includes shuttle service. There is a $10 service charge if you are bringing your own boat and require shuttle service.

Upcoming Events

Thu. Aug. 17, 9am – 12pm

PARC Rain Gardens Spruce-up

Fri., Aug. 18, 9am – 12pm

Habitat Reforestation – Weed Mats Installation

Wed., Aug. 23, 9am – 12pm

Habitat Reforestation – Weed Mats Installation

Sat., Aug. 26, 9am – 12pm

PARC Rain Gardens Spruce-up

Wed., Aug. 30, 9am – 12pm

Habitat Reforestation – Weed Mats Installation

Partner Events