St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission

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/

08/07/2026

Check out the August County Parks newsletter for park updates and events. Be sure to sign up to get our monthly newsletter emailed directly to your inbox each month. 📩📰

Goodells County Park was once again filled with excitement as the St. Clair County 4-H & Youth Fair welcomed thousands of exhibitors, volunteers, and visitors. For nearly 80 years, the fair has been held at Goodells County Park, celebrating agriculture, youth achievement, and community traditions.

08/07/2026

💡 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞!

Every year on August 7, National Lighthouse Day honors the historic beacons that have safely guided mariners for generations. Here in St. Clair County, we're fortunate to be home to Michigan's oldest lighthouse at Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park.

Congress approved funding for the lighthouse in 1823, and the first tower was completed in 1825. After that original tower was destroyed in a storm, the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1829, and that tower still stands today, making it Michigan's oldest lighthouse and the oldest operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes.

St. Clair County Parks continues to preserve the history of the Fort Gratiot Light Station, including the recently restored Retired Coast Guard Station. Together, these historic buildings tell nearly 200 years of Great Lakes maritime history.

The Fort Gratiot Light Station grounds are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and are free to visit. Stroll the beautiful grounds, take in the Lake Huron views, and explore one of Michigan's most treasured historic landmarks.

Climb the lighthouse! Our partners at the Port Huron Museum offer guided tours of the lighthouse and historic buildings throughout the season. To learn more or reserve a tour, call (810) 982-0891 or visit www.phmuseum.org.

🎥 Want to learn more?
Discover the rich history of the Fort Gratiot Light Station and follow the restoration efforts that have helped preserve this treasured landmark. Watch our short video on the St. Clair County Parks YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/BPLHxMaKXaw?si=6Iv61BqPB5UBmZHW

Then come experience this incredible piece of Michigan history for yourself!

💡 Did You Know?
🔹 The current Fort Gratiot Lighthouse has stood since 1829, making it Michigan's oldest lighthouse.
🔹 It marks the meeting point of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, one of the busiest shipping corridors on the Great Lakes.
🔹 The lighthouse tower stands 82 feet tall and remains an active aid to navigation today.
🔹 The Fort Gratiot Light Station includes seven historic structures that help tell the story of nearly 200 years of Great Lakes maritime history.

Have you climbed the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse or toured the Light Station? Share your favorite memory or photo in the comments below! 📸👇

08/05/2026

🦋 Wildlife Wednesdays: Monarch Butterflies 🌸

This week’s Wildlife Wednesday celebrates one of Michigan’s most iconic pollinators, the Monarch butterfly! A recent visitor was spotted at Columbus County Park, taking a break on a beautiful Purple Coneflower. 🌿🧡

Monarchs are more than just a beautiful sight; they play an important role in our ecosystems as pollinators. Throughout the summer, adult Monarchs visit a variety of flowering plants for nectar, while their caterpillars depend exclusively on milkweed as their food source.

You can spot Monarchs frequenting the wildflowers, meadows, and trails throughout all of our St. Clair County Parks. Keep an eye out as you explore, and you may just catch one stopping by for a little nectar! 🌼🦋

What types of pollinators have you spotted while visiting our parks? 🐝🦋🐞 From butterflies and bees to hummingbirds and other helpful pollinators, we'd love to hear what you've seen buzzing, fluttering, and visiting the flowers on your adventures!

📸 Photo taken at Columbus County Park