I always say the best source for any parent is chatting with other parents about cool things to do. I try my best to stay active in my community, and get to know what moms really want to read about when it comes to blogs. I try to vary my content to meet the needs of my readers, but what I hear over and over is people want cool places to go — and bonus points for anything that’s FREE and accessible for all ages.
Last year, I struck up a conversation with a fellow nature-loving mom about places we love to take our kids for natural play environments. She told me about Mill Creek Park North in Dexter and how much her kids enjoyed visiting. It struck a chord with me because it sounded totally up my kid’s alley.
So after our swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School in Ann Arbor, we decided to venture over there.
Believe it or not, I get super nervous visiting new places. My kids are wildcards, and having a high needs child brings an extra level of questioning {i.e. Will she get overwhelmed if there are too many kids? Is there a safe space she can go to if it feels too chaotic for her? Can I manage a meltdown and watch my other kids while parenting solo there?} Boy am I glad we braved this one…Because it was such an incredible FREE gem!
GETTING THERE
To get to the park, simply plug-in Mill Creek Park North into your phone. Once there, park in the dedicated lot behind the fire station.
ABOUT THE PARK
Mill Creek Park North is a 2.15 acre park and has a small play structure and several swings. However, my kid’s favorite feature was a huge fake rock they could climb. Definitely was a bit of challenge for my young crew, but they were SO happy once they reached the top!
After exploring for a bit, we enjoyed a picnic lunch. There are plenty of picnic tables in the shade, or you could just lay out a blanket to eat on. There are bathrooms on-site near the playground — but be warned — they are porta potties. They were well maintained during our visit, but if it’s during library hours, that is always an option for a public restroom as well since the park backs up to the building.
From there, you can either visit the creek area, which is down a few stairs, or walk the amazingly gorgeous boardwalk, which has 5 miles of trail along the Huron River connecting Dexter to Hudson Mills Park. My kids found several painted rocks planted along it, which they re-hid during our visit.
We really enjoyed seeing a neat old bridge there, which just begs to be photographed. This would be gorgeous in the fall, don’t you think?
My kids enjoyed playing in the creek the most. They literally spent an entire HOUR playing in the mud and rocks…So much so that I stopped saying ‘be careful’ and ‘don’t get dirty’ because I could see the simple joy it was bringing them.
It is my belief that when parents give their kids permission to get dirty and explore, it promotes self-confidence and encourages curiosity and exploration. For my shy oldest gal, this type of play is critical to her well-being. She comes alive in nature!
Also, it’s so refreshing to see kids entertained without an ounce of toys or electronics. Who knew shifting around rocks and mud would be so appealing?
Speaking of mud…
TIP: Bring extra clothes! We did not…and that was clearly a mistake 😉 I was glad to at least have some towels in the car!
Overall, this park offers such an awesome sensory experience for kids of all ages and is the perfect spot to spend a few hours on a summer day.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
In case you aren’t familiar, Dexter is just northwest of Ann Arbor, and is one of the fastest growing communities in Michigan. It truly has an awesome sense of community and is so charming — I instantly had the feeling I would live there in a heartbeat!
There are a few cute shops and restaurants in town, including a bakery with amazing donuts. My kids got a kick out of visiting the drive-in A&W across from the park for root beer floats. It was their first drive-in experience, so they thought it was magical. I love that nostalgic feeling too!
Dexter is a great place to visit, and Mill Creek Park is a real hidden gem. My kids are already begging to go back again. Enjoy if you get the chance to visit!
What park is your kid’s favorite? I’d love to feature more ideas, especially for natural play!
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