Wolcott Mill Feels Like Four Metroparks in One
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Wolcott Mill feels like four metroparks in one. See a ACTIVITIES FARM CENTER HISTORIC CENTER late-20th century working farm and step into the past at the 164-year-old Wolcott Mill.. Then, grab your clubs and play the 18-hole golf course. If you’re looking for a place to get together with friends and family, visit Camp Rotary. This 2,625-acre park is located along the banks of the North Branch of the Clinton River in Ray Township, in north central Macomb County. Go to www.metroparks.com for updates on park conditions, events and more. CAMP ROTARY’S GROUP CAMP The Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center In its heyday, Wolcott Mill was known for its & EVENTS FACILITIES provides an opportunity to experience first- high-quality flour. Many of the large bakeries Whether using tents in the camping area or hand the sights, sounds, smells and the feel of in the Detroit area, such as Acme Pie and Oven sleeping in the Shorian Lodge (sleeps 34), kids “life on the modern farm.” The farm features a King Cookies, used flour milled here for their will enjoy daily outings and overnight stays at variety of domestic animals including chickens, pastries and desserts. Camp Rotary. Group camp is limited to scouts ducks, turkeys, sheep, pigs, dairy cows and The Historic Mill, listed on the National Register and other organized youth groups. Fees and draft horses. Environmentally sound farming of Historic Places through the National Park reservations required. practices are followed at the Farm Center Service, Department of Interior, is one of a few where demonstrations of modern farming The perfect setting for social events, Camp older grist mills remaining in Michigan. It’s techniques can be seen. Field crops and farm what’s inside the mill that makes it even more Rotary’s activity building and picnic pavilion are equipment are also on display. near the river and a wooded area. The activity unique: the original milling machinery is still in building can host parties up to 120 persons. The interpretive staff conducts programs place. The picnic pavilion features tables and grills. on a wide variety of subjects such as milk Built in 1847, the mill operated as a grist and For more information or reservations, please production, lamb and wool production, feed mill until 1967. All buildings are original call 586-752-5932. The entrance to Camp Rotary soil and water conservation, sustainable except the gazebo, restrooms and the toll is off 29 Mile Road, 1.5 miles east of agriculture, food processing, and modern road building. During the time the mill was Kunstman Road. farming techniques. Hayrides are offered operating, these buildings served various during specific programs. For general . purposes at different times. The large barn programs, tour information or to register, first served as a stable. As time went on, it was EQUESTRIAN TRAILS please call the Farm Center at 586-752-5932. Beginning at the Camp Rotary staging area, used for storage and selling certified seed. The entrance to the Farm is off Wolcott Road, Now it’s a barn museum, a place to discover the enjoy 10 miles of trails that meander through north of 30 Mile Road. woods, meadows and along the Clinton River. history of barns and their uses. Check out the A bridle tag is required. To obtain a tag, please FARM HOURS buggy, antique farming equipment, tools and contact the Farm or Historic Center. Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. the restored 1927 Model T Dump Truck once owned by the Wolcott family. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The truck garage housed delivery trucks used FISHING . to take flour to various bakeries and stores in Fish for bluegills at the Farm pond, or catch southeast Michigan. The last building added smallmouth bass, suckers or pan fish along the DAIRY BARN was the corncob building, built in the 1950s to banks of the North Branch of the Clinton River The dairy barn at the Farm Center was originally receive ground corncobs from the mill and later at the Historic Center or Camp Rotary. constructed in the early 1900s. Since then, it shipped to farms for animal bedding. has been remodeled with modern equipment used in commercial dairy farming. As you walk The gazebo is an ideal setting for weddings and GOLF through the lower level of the barn, you will see other events, and is available for rent. The North Branch of the Clinton River runs the bulk tank that holds the milk and a system The mill and grounds, as well as numerous through this 6,352-yard, par-72 course. Driving of glass vacuum lines used to collect milk from special events and programs, offer visitors a range and power carts are available. Senior the cows. Several different types of dairy cattle chance to glimpse what life was like in the past (55+) and junior (20 and younger) rates are can be seen at the farm. available, some restrictions apply. The Golf to gain a better understanding of our heritage. DAILY MILKING SCHEDULE Starter Building serves food, beverages and Park interpreters are available to answer April – October: 10 a.m. beer; no coolers allowed. To reserve a tee time, questions and can take groups for tours of the November – March: 9 a.m.. call 586-749-3415. The entrance to the golf mill and grounds by appointment. They also course is off Ray Center Road at 27 Mile Road. conduct a number of special family programs on weekends throughout the year. Go to www.metroparks.com for rates, specials SHEEP BARN and course information. The sheep barn is also an original building that For hours of operation, tours and other WOLCOTT MILL . has been restored to house our sheep, goats information, go to www.metroparks.com or call the Historic Center at 586-749-5997. The HIKING and pigs. The wool from the sheep is sheared www.metroparks.com and processed in the spring each year at our entrance to the Historic Center is off Kunstman Hike trails near the Historic Center and at Camp annual sheep shearing event. Spring is also the Road, north of 29 Mile Road. Rotary which traverse wooded areas and along time when the animals give birth. the river. Or, take a leisurely walk down the lane HISTORIC CENTER HOURS at the farm. Friday - Sunday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CHICKEN COOP Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. PICNIC SHELTERS The poultry building contains various breeds of chickens and rabbits. Throughout the year, you . Picnic shelters at the Farm and Camp Rotary may also see pheasants, turkeys and ducks. In provide great gathering points for family or NATURE TRAILS the spring, fertile eggs are taken from the hens business outings. Shelters are available and Hike the trails to enjoy the historical and natural and hatched inside an incubator. may be reserved for a fee. Catering services are surroundings of the historic mill site. the exclusive rights of the on-site caterer. Please MILLRACE TRAIL • ½ MILE contact the Park Office for more information or GREENHOUSE Walk along the millrace to the dam and to reserve a shelter. Numerous programs are held here throughout return along the river. The dam backed up the the year. millpond and sent the water down the millrace . to the mill where it was used for power. The HORSE BARN dam washed out during a storm in 1972. The horse barn is original to the farm and was MOTHER EARTH TRAIL • ¾ MILE relocated from another area on the property Discover the use of the area by American and restored. Here you will find our draft Indians long before the mill was built. A horses. descriptive flier is available at the mill. SETTLER’S TRAIL • 2 MILES FARMHOUSE Hike along the top of a bluff for an interesting A classroom, exhibit area, farm office and view of the north branch of the Clinton River. restrooms are located here. Information about . the Farm Center, an activity corner for kids and SPECIAL EVENTS displays are also found in the building. Special public events of historical nature . are planned throughout the year. Check the SPECIAL EVENTS Metroparks’ newsletter, website and local The interpreters invite you to participate in newspapers for more information, or call for special events and workshops. These are a listing of these events. offered periodically throughout the year. Call . for more information. GROUP APPOINTMENTS . Group tours of the mill or other historical GROUP APPOINTMENTS subjects conducted by park interpreters Group tours of the Farm Center conducted by can be arranged by appointment. Programs park interpreters are available. Call for more for families and individuals are conducted information. throughout the year. PARK MAP 31 MILE RD 31 MILE RD WOLCOTT MILL METROPARK www.metroparks.com Farm Center 65775 Wolcott Road Ray Township, MI 48096 586-752-5932 Historic Center 64000 Kunstman Road Ray Township, MI 48096 586-749-5997 FARM CENTER Camp Rotary Entrance 20502 29 Mile Road GPS: 42º46’43.75”N 82º56’12.52”W Ray Township, MI 48096 586-752-5932 B, C MAP KEY Camping 30 MILE RD 30 MILE RD 30 MILE RD Equestrian Farm Center Model Plane WOLCOTT RD Aireld Golf Hiking Outdoor Sports HISTORIC CENTER Playground Entrance Historic GPS: 42º46’07.36”N 82º56’28.59”W Center Restroom Shore Fishing ROMEO PLANK RD INDIAN TRAIL Toll Booth Group Camp Shorian Lodge RD HARTWAY Paved Roads Activity Center Observatory Dirt Roads A 29 MILE RD 29 MILE RD Rustic29 MILE Trails RD HISTORIC CENTER Entrance to TRAILS CAMP ROTARY & GROUP CAMP Mother Earth Trail - ¾ Mile GPS: 42º45’38.88”N 82º55’32.64”W Mill Race Trail - ½ Mile Settlers Trail - 2 Miles WOLCOTT RD WOLCOTT CHESTER RD EQUESTRIAN TRAILS KUNSTMAN RD KUNSTMAN 4.7 Miles ROMEO PLANK RD INDIAN3.68 TRAILMiles Shortcuts PICNIC SHELTERS A The Pavilion 28 MILE RD 28 MILE RD 28 MILE RD B Lower C Upper TELLER RD RAY CENTER RD CENTER RAY KUNSTMAN RD KUNSTMAN ROMEO PLANK RD 27 MILE RD 27 MILE RD 27 MILE RD Driving Range GOLF COURSE ROMEO 586-749-3415 LAKE 53 GPS: 42º43’50.04”N 82º54’00.71”W ORION WALTERS LAKE Wolcott Mill 19 Metropark 24 Stony Creek DAVIS N GINGELLVILLE Metropark NEW 94 26 MILE RD MEADE HAVEN 75 19 LAKE MACOMB NEW ANGELUS ROCHESTER BALTIMORE PONTIAC ROCHESTER RD BROUGHTON BL 53 BR HILLS 150 CENTER RD RAY 24 75 AUBURN HILLS 3 59 ROMEO PLANK RD BL UTICA SYLVAN 75 59 Lake St.