Good for Mind and Body: Rowden Park Lapeer, Michigan
Rowden Park sits at the north end of Lapeer, Michigan, on M24. At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much here, but there is plenty to nurture both mind and body. Tucked behind the Water Tower RV Park is a little gem, and we encourage you to stop by.
Rowden Park is for Everyone
Rowden Park is a delight for all ages. Getting out into nature for a walk, run, or play is beneficial. Strolling along the path and boardwalk and taking in nature fills you with a sense of well-being. This park has much to offer for the avid runner, the casual walker, and everyone in between.
What a Relief
The bathroom facility with a drinking fountain is open year-round, which is unusual for a small city park but a welcome addition. The facilities are heated in the colder months. This small amenity is a huge relief when you are in need, and we are grateful that it is available.
Things to do at Rowden Park
Rowden Park has a small playground, a baseball field, two pavilions, and a 1-mile loop suitable for all abilities. The walkways are asphalt or boardwalk and mostly flat. There is currently a tennis court, but some exciting changes are planned for that area!
Rowden Park 1-Mile Loop
The 1-mile walkway is what makes this park stand out. If you are counting miles or just out for a stroll, knowing how far you’ve gone is always helpful. The walk is a loop, so you will end up right where you started. We usually begin at the Parking lot on M24, but there are other entrances to the park as well. From here, we often do a counterclockwise loop beginning near the bathroom building to make a pit stop before and after our walk.
Future Playground at Rowden Park
The walk starts at the bathroom building and goes to the current tennis courts. A sign posted on the fence surrounding the courts announces a new playground! The playground is designed for all ages and abilities. It will be a blast if it is anything like the playground at Powell Lake Park in Oxford. Even adults have fun at these new playgrounds. The equipment is designed for all different sizes, ages, and abilities. You will feel like a kid again, and we hope you laugh as hard as we do! If you want to help bring this into reality even quicker, check out their website to donate toward the playground.
Forested Area and Boardwalk
Once you pass the tennis court (future playground) area, turn left and wind through a small forest filled with trees, plants, and vines. It smells lush and green in the summer, and the cover offers a welcome coolness from the summer sun. In the fall, the stand smells of falling leaves, returning their summer lives to the ground, feeding the plants again in the springtime. You will find a boardwalk/long bridge at the forest’s edge. This long boardwalk reaches straight across the pond. You can see geese, fish, and other birds on both sides of the walkway. The view is beautiful across the pond.
Extend your Walk
On the other side is a small pavilion in the shade on top of a hill. As you pass by, you walk toward a much smaller parking area along the street. Follow the street, and you will notice that the path comes to an intersection. To continue on the 1-mile route, turn left. To make your walk longer, turn right and head across the street (watch for vehicles). This path will eventually take you to downtown Lapeer. At the end of this long walk (about 15 to 20 minutes), you will cross a short bridge, and Rotary Park will be to your right. Head on through Rotary Park and walk along the sidewalk to Downtown Lapeer.
Stay on the 1-Mile loop.
Back at that intersection, if you want to stay on the 1-mile loop, head left, and you will see a long, straight asphalt pathway stretching ahead. This spot can get a bit warm in the heat of the summer, but as it bisects the pond, the water tempers the hot weather a bit. Here, you have another opportunity to view all the pond wildlife. Lots of birds, swans, geese, occasional rabbits (there is one hiding in one of the photos), and muskrats. It is peaceful and quiet, with little plopping sounds from frogs jumping back into the water as you pass.
Viewing Docks
At the end of this long stretch through the pond, you will take another short bridge through a few trees and then a winding section past the Water Tower RV Park and back to the pond again. When you reach the pond, there will be a large viewing dock to your left and a small one to your right along the boardwalk that covers a small swampy area. Feel free to stop and take in the sites. After the boardwalk, the small playground will be right before you.
Almost Done
The walkway passes around the playground between it and the larger pavilion at the park. Then, you are back at the parking lot where you started.
Take a Nature Break
This short 1-mile loop has so much to offer. Every few steps have a different feel and a different view. The walk encircles the pond, but that isn’t all there is to see on this lovely loop. If you want to make it longer, you can do more loops or head downtown and stop for lunch or a treat while you are there.
Rowden Park in Lapeer, Michigan, is one of our favorite parks for walking. We know the bathrooms will be open if needed, and the trail is a pleasure to walk, physically and mentally. Take a nature break and treat yourself to a walk at Rowden Park in Lapeer.
While in the area, be sure to consider stopping for delicious food at Brian’s or Lake Inn. For more fun things to do nearby, check out the Metamora day trip itinerary.