When the weather gets warmer, it’s only natural to want to spend more time outside. There is something so serene about visiting a local park. Whether it’s making memories on a nature trail or giggles from your little ones on a playset, we can all agree that parks are the perfect outing for family activities, especially when the sun is out.
Parents, are you searching for outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy? There are so many good times to be had in Goodrich parks. Please keep reading to learn about our top ten park picks near Goodrich, MI, that you can visit with your family all summer long!
Best Parks Near Goodrich, MI for Playgrounds
Park playgrounds are one of the best ways for your kids to enjoy the outdoors. Swings, monkey bars, slides, and stairs all help children engage in physical activity, and sometimes, kids are able to meet with other children too. If you’re looking for parks with great children’s play areas near Goodrich, MI, look no further than Rust Park and Friendship Park.
Rust Park is a well-kept park in Grand Blanc that is only a short drive from Goodrich, MI. This park is the perfect place for families to get together. It features picnic tables, electricity, grills, restroom facilities, and more. In addition to all of those great amenities, children can enjoy swinging at the playground or accompanying their parents on nature trail walks around Thread Creek.
If your family’s go-to activities are team sports, you’ll enjoy Rust Park’s tennis courts, basketball courts, and baseball diamonds. With outdoor areas that encourage family activity and physical activity, Rust Park demonstrates one of the many reasons parks matter.
Orion Township’s Friendship Park is just a short drive from Goodrich, MI, and let us tell you, it is well worth the visit. With multiple baseball and soccer fields, this park is a sports-loving kid’s dream. The park also has gazebos and shelters that are available for events and special occasions. If you’re visiting the park to participate in everyday family activities, the fishing pond will be sure to keep your little ones engaged.
There’s so much in a name – especially when it comes to Friendship Park. On the accessible playgrounds, kids can socialize with other children their age. Aside from formal settings like school or daycare, play dates provide an excellent opportunity for children to work on their social and emotional skills.
Best Parks for Walking and Hiking in Goodrich, MI
When it comes to Goodrich parks, one of our first picks is Atlas County Park. Here you can hike through fields, go fishing, listen to the relaxing sound of ponds, or even launch a kayak or canoe off of Atlas Millpond. If you want to go the more straightforward route, you can plan a leisurely family activity like a picnic in the park or playing catch in the great outdoors.
Atlas County Park is near downtown, so next time you’re driving through Goodrich, MI, stop by and spend some quality time outdoors with your family in this serene landscape. With 150 acres of terrain, you can find a family activity at this Goodrich park that everyone can enjoy.
Our next pick for one of the best parks for walking and hiking is one of the most popular of all of the Goodrich parks: Goodrich Commons. Goodrich Commons even holds its annual festival, the Goodrich Festival, every August that includes a car show, live music, and a kid zone. This festival is a staple for folks and centers around giving back to the community of Goodrich, MI.
When it’s not festival season, families can enjoy a wide variety of amenities, such as:
- Play structures
- Basketball court
- Tennis court
- Picnic tables
- Fishing
You can even load the kids in the wagon and go out for a scenic hike on one of many nature trails. If you prefer to enjoy the park on your own, The Breakie Bunch Learning Center is nearby, making drop-offs easy and convenient. Check out more reasons why you should choose The Breakie Bunch for daycare.
The Best Parks for Water Activities Near Goodrich, MI
Waterworks Park in Holly, MI, is the perfect place for epic family activities on the water. Enjoy kayaking and canoeing off the Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail, where you can paddle through Genesee County. This long river is best suited for older children, such as teenagers, to accompany parents on the river.
Physicians Park is a kid-friendly park that the whole family can enjoy. With a splash pad for children to enjoy in the summer months and an ice-skating rink that is open in the winter, you’ll want to return to Physicians Park every season. The park also features a play structure with a swinging area.
Located in the heart of Grand Blanc, Physicians Park is a short distance away from Goodrich, MI. If you’re looking for a jam-packed day of family activities or prefer to grill and chill outdoors, check out Physicians Park.
Unique Experiences at Goodrich Parks
Sitdowners Park is a unique experience, different from any of the other parks we’ve discussed. This park displays monuments dedicated to individuals that participated in the historic sit-down strike of 1936-1937 at General Motors, Flint. While you walk the park, you can learn more about this historical event and honor the memorial of the lives lost.
Unlike the other Goodrich parks we’ve mentioned, Independence Oaks County Park has a nature facility that kids of all ages can enjoy. The Wint Nature Center provides a hands-on experience for feeding and viewing wildlife, history exhibits, and educational programs. If you enjoy the space so much that you want to host at this location, the park allows you to rent out the nature center for small gatherings and celebrations.
Some of the many family activities to enjoy at Independence Oaks County Park are:
- Nature trails
- Swimming beach
- Volleyball courts
- Archery range
- Boating via the public launch
- Cross country skiing
See for yourself why this park made our top ten list of parks near Goodrich, MI, and plan a visit for this summer today.
Goodrich Parks for Family Activities
Kearsley Park Pavilion is located in Flint, a neighboring city to Goodrich, MI. Like most Goodrich parks, this park boasts plenty of space on its green fields for all kinds of family activities. Whether you prefer playgrounds, ball fields, or attending concerts and plays at the pavilion, Kearsley Park Pavilion has activities that everyone can enjoy.
Creasey Bicentennial Park is our last Goodrich parks pick, but it’s one that your whole family will enjoy, even your dog. Let your dog socialize at the dog park before taking the kids to splash around on the water pad. Wind down with a short nature trail or traditional picnic before heading home to Goodrich, MI, or elsewhere.
This summer and every day, remember to slow down and enjoy quality time with your family, whether it’s at a Goodrich park or elsewhere. To learn more about family activities near Goodrich, check out our 2021 guide for family-friendly things to do in the area.