Let's start with - it is free! A nice secluded place that is in an area with very expensive fancy homes. There are a few trails; doing them all can be done in 90 minutes. There's a good-sized pond in the middle - if you circle it - good views and only 0.5 miles. There's an owl in a cage, a natural play area for kids, a deer enclosure, a rustic cabin, and restrooms - doesn't compare to a Michigan metro park - but good for a relaxing hour or so. read more

Johnson Nature Center - Pond - Special Education Near Me - Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

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Not the largest nature area, but you take what you can get, especially when you're still within the confines of a major metropolitan area. E. L. Johnson is a nice place to walk trails for maybe an hour or two, but not more than that. In the short time I was there I think I covered most of the trails. (Some of the different loops really aren't that big.) There is a nice lake/pond in the middle of the property. I'm not sure the exact difference between those two terms - a lake, I guess has an aphortic zone where sunlight can't reach the bottom - but given that this body of water doesn't have a name on Google Maps I'm inclined to go with pond. There's also an observation tower, though it's not too tall, a rustic cabin that understandably was locked, and a deer enclosure. Animals in captivity generally bum me out but this enclosure is for sick/hurt deer that can't reacclimate to the wild so I can let it slide. There was only two deer as well. So if you want your kid to see deer up close and don't want to take them to the animal jails us humans call zoos, this is your spot! Beyond those deer, dragonflies were about the only wildlife I saw on a July morning here. Some of the trails run pretty close to the roads that border this park, and it abuts a subdivision pretty closely in at least one spot, too. There's better nature trails in southeast Michigan, and I don't think E. L. Johnson nature center is even giving the Metroparks a run for their money, but it's not a bad little respite from city/suburban life. The price is right, too - donation only. Show em some support for not being more McMansions out here. read more

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Sry very cool place to take your kids. They have an owl! Deer, turtles. It's so beautiful here. read more

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Very beautiful place to take a walk and admire nature. Staff is friendly and sociable. They offer a lot of great educational programs in the area for kids. I would highly recommend this Nature Center to anyone who is interested in checking it out. read more

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I will never be coming back here. The grounds keeper was so rude and unpleasant to me today. I am from out of town and just wandered in and didn't know all these rules. Instead of nicely informing me and being friendly and kind, she barked at me and was really abrupt and almost made me cry. So rude!!! The grounds aren't even kept up well and the animals look ill. I am sad for the animals and severely disappointed. Definitely not worth spending your time or money here. Your kids will have much more fun at a regular park with you or anywhere else. Honestly. Its a dump and the people aren't friendly. Do yourself a favor and spend your time at a place you will be appreciated and enjoy. read more

An oasis in the suburban landscape, this nature center provides an area for short walks. native plant growth and enormous potential for education. It must be hard to maintain a natural landscape as development pushes in, water quality is depleted and wildlife is expected to perform. The main building provides a meeting space and volunteers and the small staff obviously work hard to eliminate invasives and replace them with native plants. Would be a great place to volunteer with experienced volunteers and learn about native plants. read more