Oakland Township Parks and Recreation and Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve have partnered to bring Oakland Township residents and others exciting programs at Lost Lake Nature Park! Family, friends and neighbors are invited to explore themed indoor and outdoor activities at any of these FREE drop in events, with no pre-registration required. 

Open House events occur every 2nd Saturday & 4th Sunday of the month!*

Saturday, February 10 & Sunday, February 25 12-3 pm– Winter Wetland Wonder

On February 10th, we’ll explore above the surface, looking for plant life left over winter along the shore, decorating a small grapevine wreath, and exploring the wetland habitat. February 26th the focus is on what’s happening under the water and underground in the winter. We’ll lower a camera under the water from the dock to see how fish are spending the winter. Color an underwater scene and glue cutout animals where they belong.

Saturday, March 9 & Sunday, March 24 12-3 pm– Birdy Business

March will be spent getting ready for baby birds! March 9th we’ll examine nests inside and search for nests outside, then weave a birds’ nest picture. March 24th explore eggs! Make a plastic egg into a baby bird and join an egg scavenger hunt in the meadow. Use natural dyes to color eggs in the warming shelter.

Saturday, April 13 & Sunday, April 28 12-3 pm– April Showers & Storms

April 13th, we’ll look at types of clouds, make a cotton ball cloud magnet, and try to identify any clouds or rainbows in the sky. On April 28th, explore thunder and lightning, make a rain stick, and take a hike to look for storm damaged trees.

Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 19 12-3 pm– Totally Turtles

We’ll discover Michigan’s endangered land turtle during the May 11th OPEN HOUSE, and even meet one! Make a paper bowl turtle and play turtle tag. On May 19th, we’ll search for aquatic turtles along the lakeshore and dock, make an origami turtle, and examine the many types of aquatic turtle found in Michigan.

Saturday, June 8 & Sunday, June 23: Playing and Sleeping in Nature

On Saturday, June 8 we’ll have fishing at the dock. Inside you can make a swimming fish craft and learn about different types of fishing. Sunday, June 23 we’ll practice setting up tents & try kayaking outside on Lost Lake, while inside we make a campfire collage with our handprints and explore how to prepare for a camping and kayaking adventure!

Saturday, July 13 & Sunday, July 28: Michigan’s Prehistoric Past– Our State Rock & Fossil

Saturday July 13, we’ll search for Petoskey Stones among the rockwork at the picnic area. Learn how to polish a Petoskey Stone. Explore underwater plants and animals from the Devonian period. Sculpt a coral reef of your own to take home. Join us on Sunday July 28 when we’ll hike with an eye out for how the ice age changed the shape of the land. Explore our state fossil– the Mastodon- with replica American Mastodon teeth. Find out how the Mammoth and the Mastodon compare. Create a cardboard tube Mastodon to take home.

Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 25: Pollination, Flowers & Fruit

On Saturday, August 10 we’ll look for pollinators-birds, bees, butterflies & more!- in action on the sledding hill and use sweep nets for a closer look. Inside we’ll make a pompom pollinator and play a pollination game. Join the fun on Sunday, August 25, as we dive into a world of flowers and fruits! Explore what makes a fruit unique by peering through a microscope, craft a vibrant tissue paper bouquet, and embark on a quest to count the blossoms and fruits lining the trail. Get ready for a day of botanical excitement!

All programs on this page take place at Lost Lake Nature Park. The park is located in Oakland Township so it is close by for everyone! The park is just West of Rochester Rd off of Predmore:   846 Lost Lake Trail

*alternate dates when those fall on Federal Holidays