The Friends of Maybury State Park achieves its goals by actively being involved in life at Maybury State Park. We sponsor ongoing activities as well as special one-time activities. Using income from membership fees and fund raising activities, we present nature, family-centered, sport/fitness, and education activities and programs throughout the year. We actively seek grant funding to accomplish major projects and constantly invite volunteers to assist in with our activities. We also support Eagle Scout projects through small, one-time, project related funding.
Maybury History Trail with Descriptive Signage – The American Lung Association of Michigan joined with Friends of Maybury and the Michigan DNR to develop a self-guided history tour to commemorate Maybury Sanatorium. The trail begins at the entrance to the paved road at the east parking lot.
Ongoing Activities
Nature Programs
- Spring Wildflower Walk – Learn how to recognize early spring wildflowers. Takes place in May.
- Nature Journaling – Learn how to slow down, focus, and improve your observations through nature. Takes place in June.
- Edible Plant Hike – Learn about all the edible plants in the park. Takes place in August.
- Owl Prowl – Learn about owls on an early December evening which includes a nighttime walk on the trails in search of owls.
Special Volunteer Activities
- Garlic Mustard Pulls – Garlic Mustard is an invasive plant that crowds out and destroys native wildflowers. Volunteers help control this invasive weed during frequently scheduled one or two hour garlic pulls. Help us control garlic mustard before it crowds out our native wildflowers.
- Park Clean Up Day – Help refresh Maybury State Park upon the arrival of Spring. Usually around Earth Day in April.
Community Events
- Summer Music on Mondays – On the Trailhead Lawn starting the Monday after July 4th for 6 weeks.
- Family Fun Campout – Held in the July hosted by Northville Parks & Rec. The Friends of Maybury State Park volunteers help lead a guided hike around the pond and show points of interest in the park.
- Special Educational Events – In the past, The Friends of Maybury State Park has co-sponsored on site and off-site educational activities on nature subjects as well as the history of the Maybury Sanatorium which was once located on the land currently occupied by Maybury State Park.
Sports/Fitness Events
- New Year’s Day Hike – This casual, easy, and fun hour of hiking is for young, old, and everyone in between. Get outdoors on New Year’s Day and being the new year with fresh air and activity.
- Full Moon Hike – Usually in February when the Full Moon will be at its peak.
- March Night Hike – Another fun night hike to enjoy the park in a different night perspective.
