![\"Innovation](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Innovation-Park1.jpg\")
Innovation Hills Park is a 110-acre public park located along West Hamlin Road near the western edge of the of Rochester Hills. It is among 12 parks in Oakland County the CRSC will be upgrading.<\/p>\nThe Clinton River Watershed Council announced plans to upgrade the Clinton River water trail, aiming to connect more residents to the 81.5-mile stretch of the river while reinforcing the importance of protecting it.<\/p>\n
Upgrades will be completed at kayak launch sites in Oakland and Macomb counties to improve infrastructure and create clearer, safer entry points.<\/p>\n
Each year, a handful of the 23 official launch sites \u2014 12 in Oakland County and 11 in Macomb County \u2014 along the Clinton River will be upfitted to make the water trail more accessible, visible and safe for the public. Upgrades were determined based on community input and will encourage more environmentally conscious use of the watershed.<\/p>\n
The Watershed Council consulted with communities, received results from an online survey and spoke with kayakers to come up with the best ways to upgrade and add amenities where needed throughout all of their public parks and accesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also held meetings in Oakland and Macomb counties. We compiled all the information and put together a plan along with other goals from the council,\u201d said Watershed Planner Jeffery Schiffman.<\/p>\n
The upgrades and additions will be determined in coordination with local parks and recreation departments, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and municipalities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are making sure that if we are going to do an improvement at a certain launch, we are making the improvements that they want,\u201d said Schiffman. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to put something in there that the community is not interested in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schiffman also credited the Oakland County Parks Department for helping out.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir natural resources group has stepped up with clearing up wood and debris issues and getting it done in an ecologically sound manner which is great,\u201d said Schiffman.<\/p>\n
No areas will be closed to the public while work is being done.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople will still be able to go to their favorite site and put in and take out,\u201d said Schiffman. \u201cNone of the work that will be done will interrupt the access points.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here is a list of upcoming Oakland County projects:<\/p>\n
INNOVATION HILLS \u2013 ROCHESTER HILLS<\/p>\n
Add a kayak track and rail along walkway
Add kayak rack<\/p>\n
EAGLES LANDING \u2013 ROCHESTER HILLS<\/p>\n
Improve launch area with stone
Add restrooms
Create a developed trail from the parking lot to the launch<\/p>\n
DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER LANDING<\/p>\n
Add a map to local establishments and nearest restrooms
Add signage<\/p>\n
YATES CIDER MILL and PARK \u2013 ROCHESTER HILLS<\/p>\n
Add rail system for portaging
Add kayak rack
Improve launch area with stone<\/p>\n
RIVERSIDE PARK \u2013 AUBURN HILLS<\/p>\n
Erosion prevention measures throughout the park
Add kayak rack<\/p>\n
RIVER WOODS PARK \u2013 AUBURN HILLS<\/p>\n
Add kayak rack
Increase signage
Make launch more accessible<\/p>\n
*MACEDAY LAKE \u2013 WATERFORD TWP.<\/p>\n
Add picnic tables
Create universal launch
Add kayak rack
Increase signage on road leading up to launch<\/p>\n
*LAKE OAKLAND \u2013 WATERFORD TWP.<\/p>\n
Add picnic tables
Add kayak rack
Upgrade signage<\/p>\n
*LOON LAKE \u2013 WATERFORD TWP.<\/p>\n
Upgrade signage
Add picnic tables
Add kayak rack<\/p>\n
FISH HATCHERY PARK \u2013 WATERFORD TWP.<\/p>\n
Stabilize shortline
Add stone steps leading to launch
Add kayak rack<\/p>\n
CLINTON RIVER CANOE \u2013 WATERFORD TWP.<\/p>\n
Stabilize shoreline with native wetland plants
Improve launch area with stone<\/p>\n
DODGE PARK #4 (CASS LAKE) \u2013 WATERFORD TWP.<\/p>\n
Remove invasive species
Add more park maps
Add kayak rack<\/p>\n
(*) = Any chances will require DNR approval\/cooperation<\/p>\n
Innovation Hills Park is a 110-acre public park located along West Hamlin Road near the western edge of the of Rochester Hills. It is among 12 parks in Oakland County the CRSC will be upgrading.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy CRSC<\/p>\n
Here is the list of upcoming Macomb County projects:<\/p>\n
RIVERBENDS PARK \u2013 RYAN ROAD CROSSING \u2013 SHELBY TWP.<\/p>\n
More parking, trailer turn-around space, and further plantings
Add kayak rack<\/p>\n
DOWNTOWN UTICA<\/p>\n
Developed path from parking area to river, kayak trailer parking,
Add kayak rack
improved launch area<\/p>\n
HERITAGE PARK \u2013 UTICA<\/p>\n
Kayak rack
Universal launch parallel to river flow<\/p>\n
NORTH CLINTON RIVER PARK \u2013 STERLING HEIGHTS<\/p>\n
Kayak Rack<\/p>\n
DODGE PARK \u2013 STERLING HEIGHTS<\/p>\n
Kayak rail\/track
Kayak rack
Railing down stone steps<\/p>\n
ROTARY PARK \u2013 STERLING HEIGHTS<\/p>\n
Add seat back to universal launch
Restroom building
Kayak rack<\/p>\n
BUDD PARK \u2013 CLINTON TWP.<\/p>\n
Removal invasive species
Add a developed trail from the gravel road to the launch
Kayak rack
Stone launch<\/p>\n
GEORGE GEORGE PARK \u2013 CLINTON TWP.<\/p>\n
Native plant landscaping to stabilize along the sides of the launch<\/p>\n
SHADYSIDE PARK \u2013 MOUNT CLEMENS<\/p>\n
Add something in between level for dock to make it closer to water so it is easier to get into kayaks
Kayak rack
Warning about weir at the launch<\/p>\n
NEIL E. DEMPSEY AT MACARTHUR \u2013 MOUNT CLEMENS<\/p>\n
Add railings\/bumpers to the launch to prevent rolling\/ stepping off
Kayak rack<\/p>\n
*HARLEY ENSIGN \u2013 HARRISON TWP.<\/p>\n
Picnic tables
Shade area
Universal launch
Kayak rack<\/p>\n
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