St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission

09/02/2026

🐝🦋 Wildlife Wednesday: Hummingbird Moth! 🌸

You might do a double take when you see one of these buzzing around the garden! A St. Clair County Parks staff member recently spotted this Hummingbird Moth fluttering among the flowers in the garden in front of the County Parks Office.

Despite its name, and its uncanny resemblance to a tiny hummingbird, this fascinating creature is actually a moth! Hummingbird moths hover in place as they feed on nectar, using their long proboscis to reach deep into flowers. They are also important pollinators, helping plants reproduce as they move from flower to flower. 🌼

Their quick movements and humming sound make them easy to mistake for a hummingbird, especially when they appear among colorful blooms. Keep an eye out, you may spot one visiting a garden or flower-filled area near you!

🎥📸 Check out the video and photos below!

Have you ever mistaken a Hummingbird Moth for a hummingbird? Let us know in the comments! 👇

09/01/2026

The September County Parks newsletter is out! Be sure to sign up to get news, events and more delivered right to your inbox 📩📰

Work is underway on the Wadhams to Avoca Trail as St. Clair County Parks prepares for the annual Labor Day Trek the Trestle Walk on Monday, September 7th.

08/27/2026

St. Clair County Farm Museum's Fall Harvest Days starts tomorrow!
$5 Admission, 12 and Under Free
Engine and Tractor Displays • Demonstrations • Wagon Rides • Pancake Breakfast • Vendors • Twilight Tractor Parade and More!

08/19/2026

🐸 Wildlife Wednesday: The Green Frog! 🌿

A little wildlife encounter was recently captured at the River Walk! Local park patron Greg Falk spotted this Green Frog and was kind enough to share these fabulous photos with us.

Green Frogs are common throughout Michigan and can often be found near ponds, wetlands, streams, and other areas with plenty of moisture. They play an important role in the ecosystem by helping control insect populations and serving as food for other wildlife.

These restored wetlands provide important habitat for amphibians like frogs and toads, as well as a variety of wildlife and migratory birds. The wetlands are also a great example of how habitat restoration can bring wildlife back to an urban setting. The boardwalk allows visitors to get a closer look at this unique habitat while helping protect the natural areas, and interpretive signs provide information about the wetland ecosystem.

Have you spotted a Green Frog, or another interesting creature, while exploring one of our parks? Share your wildlife sightings with us! 👀🐸

📷 Photos submitted by Greg Falk

08/13/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The exterior restoration of the Retired Coast Guard Station at Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park is nearing completion, and the transformation is extraordinary!

As part of the project, the aluminum siding was carefully removed to reveal the building’s original wood siding. The wood was scraped, repaired as needed, and repainted, while all of the windows were replaced. The front porch also received new decking and railings designed to replicate the building’s original 1930s appearance.

The restoration gives visitors a chance to see the historic Coast Guard Station much as it looked when it was an active U.S. Coast Guard building nearly a century ago. Historic photographs, including images of Captain Brown and Coast Guard personnel gathered in front of the building in the 1930s, help tell the story of the people who served at this important maritime site.

This project is another step in preserving the Fort Gratiot Light Station and its historic buildings for future generations. We are grateful for the continued support of the Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light and everyone who helps preserve this special piece of St. Clair County history.

A special thank you to Eason Painting Inc and R&D Foglesong Construction for their outstanding work, craftsmanship, and attention to detail throughout this restoration project. Their work has helped bring the historic character of this building back to life!

📸 Swipe through the photos to see the transformation, from the restoration process to the finished exterior, along with historic images from the station’s past.

08/12/2026

Looking for a way to support parks?! This fundraiser helps to benefit the Palmer Park Trailhead Project, a community initiative led by the St. Clair Rotary Club to build a modern, fully accessible restroom facility serving users of the Bridge to Bay Bike Path and visitors to Palmer Park.

Palmer Park serves a wide variety of users, including families, boaters, festival attendees, cyclists, and visitors from throughout the region. The new restroom facility is designed to enhance the park experience while supporting increased use of the Bridge to Bay Bike Path.

The project is expected to cost approximately $300,000 and is being funded through contributions from the St. Clair Rotary Club, Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, City of St. Clair, Nancy Moore, and other private donors who share a commitment to investing in the future of Palmer Park and the Bridge to Bay Bike Path.

Residents interested in attending the donation-based yoga class can call or text Happy Dog Yoga Studio at 810-488-9195 or register at https://www.happydogyogastudio.com/upcoming-events-and-workshops/

It’s our 2nd “Fill the Park” fundraiser! This year we are raising money for the Palmer park trail head restroom (you may have seen construction has already started!)

Simultaneous yoga classes happening all over the park! We will have every style of class you could want! Yin, beginner, all levels and vinyasa!

Register for free and please consider donating to this project that benefits everyone in the community!

https://www.happydogyogastudio.com/upcoming-events-and-workshops/