Parks & Recreation | City of Southfield

photo of the Beech Woods Recreation Center main entrance with closure notice information

🔧 Beech Woods Recreation Center Gym Closure Continues 🔧

Due to ongoing roof repairs, the Beech Woods Recreation Center gym will remain closed from 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday - Friday, until further notice.

Canceled activities for the week:
❌ Senior Drop-in Programs
❌ Adult Open Gym
❌ Youth Open Gym

➡️ The main office & Wellness Center remain open as scheduled.

We appreciate your continued patience as we complete these necessary repairs—thank you!

Informational graphic with pictures of 4 empty picnic shelters along with name cost and other information — Picnic shelter reservations will begin at 9 am on Monday, March 3 at the Parks & Recreation Information Window. Southfield residents wishing to rent one of the 4 available shelters at Beech Woods, Civic Center and Pebble Creek parks are asked to please bring their ID showing their Southfield residence, payment (cash or credit only), at least 2 back-up dates for your get together, and your patience. Doors to the Southfield Pavilion will open at 8 am and rentals will begin at 9 am.
Please note:
• Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and must be made in person by a City of Southfield adult resident or a Business Leisure Card holder. One permit, per person, per day.
Please call (248) 796-4620 for more information.

Informational graphic with details on the upcoming summer job fairs for Parks & recreation in March — Turn Your Summer into an Adventure—Work with Southfield Parks & Recreation!
Opportunities Available for:
Seasonal (up to 40 hours a week) and
Part-Time (30 hours a week or less)
Workers 18 Years and Older

Stop by the Southfield Pavilion and talk with us on the following days:
Tuesday, March 4 10 AM - 12 PM
Wednesday, March 5 1 - 3 PM
Thursday, March 6 5 - 7 PM

winter themed graphic with pictures of ice skating, marshmallow roasting and horse-drawn carriage rides at past Winter fest events — Embrace the Chill at Southfield’s Winter Fest!
Why fight winter when you can celebrate it? Join the Southfield Parks & Recreation Department for Winter Fest on Sunday, March 9, at the Southfield Sports Arena! This family-friendly event is packed with winter fun, both indoors and outdoors.
❄️ Enjoy activities for all ages, including:
• Ice skating (limited skate helpers & rentals available)
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Rock climbing wall
• Marshmallow roasting
• Nature crafts & snowshoeing (weather permitting) with Oakland County Parks Naturalists
• Community resources & giveaways from the Southfield Police Department & Southfield Public Library
📍 Location: Southfield Sports Arena, 26000 Evergreen Road
💲 Admission: $4 for Southfield residents / $5 for non-residents
📞 Pre-register today! Call 248-796-4620 for details.
Don’t miss out on this winter wonderland experience—bundle up and bring the whole family!

informational graphic with pictures from past Senior Vendor Fairs with this year's details — The Senior Vendor Fair is back! Come explore the Southfield Pavilion on Friday, March 7 to learn more about the many services and opportunities available to seniors in the area.
The Senior Vendor Fair will feature informational vendors and snacks. Visitors can leisurely stroll through the aisles where information from home health care services, city departments, insurance providers, senior housing facilities and more will be available. Stop at the booths and talk one-on-one with representatives to learn more or get answers to your questions.
There is no charge to visit the Senior Vendor Fair, and complimentary snacks will be provided. Join us inside the Pavilion from 10 am until Noon.
Contact Senior Services at (248) 796-4650 for more information.

photo of Carpenter Lake with no leaves on the trees and the March 2025 Park Adventures schedule — Put on your comfy shoes, grab a water bottle, and don't forget to dress for the weather.
We'll meet you at the parking lot the park at 9 am unless otherwise noted. Can't wait to see you there!
Note: we do not walk if the temperature is forecast below 20°. ❄️

Thursday, March 6 Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve, 27225 W. Ten Mile Rd.

Thursday, March 13 Berberian Woods Nature Preserve, Streamwood Lane, south of Twelve Mile Rd.

Thursday, March 20 Bauervic Woods Park, 20545 W. Nine Mile Rd.

Thursday, March 27 Inglenook Park, 20901 W. Twelve Mile Rd.

Picture of a mostly ice-covered Carpenter Lake from the fishing platform

⚠️ Please stay off the ice at Carpenter Lake. The ice is unsafe and poses a serious risk to anyone venturing onto it.
Even if the ice looks solid, appearances are deceiving. According to ice safety experts, ice needs to be at least 4 inches thick to support a person's weight, and thickness can vary dramatically within just a few feet. The recent temperature fluctuations have made ice conditions particularly treacherous.
No photo, no shortcut across the lake, and no winter activity is worth risking your life. Stay safe, stay on the marked trails, and enjoy our beautiful preserve from solid ground.

picture of trees and snow on the ground with icy conditions caution message

During the winter months, park paths in Southfield are not cleared due to the difficulty of keeping up with sudden weather changes. Additionally, some snow and ice removal methods can be disruptive to the natural environment, potentially harming plants and wildlife. By leaving paths as they are, we help preserve the park’s ecosystem.
However, our Park Services crew clears paved paths at Civic Center & Freeway parks as weather allows, and at Miller & Simms parks after 1.5+ inches of snow. Trails at Inglenook, Bedford Woods, Bauervic Woods, Berberian Woods/Valley Woods, and Carpenter Lake are not plowed.
We encourage visitors to come enjoy nature but stay safe. Use caution, when exploring and consider bringing hiking poles or a walking stick with you if you have them.

picture of the cover of the 2025 winter activities guide featuring a child ice skating with a skate helper

Discover Winter Fun with the Parks & Recreation Winter 2025 Activities Guide

Time to start filling those 2025 planners!
The Winter 2025 Southfield Parks & Recreation Activities Guide is here!

❄️ Get ready for an amazing season packed with exciting programs and events, including:
🎭 Black History Month Programs
💃👗 The Daddy-Daughter Dance
🏀 Winter Youth Basketball Leagues
...and so much more!

Don’t miss out – plan your winter adventures with us and make 2025 your best year yet! ❄️

Winter 2025 Parks & Recreation Activities Guide

The Southfield Scribe January - March 2025 Senior Newsletter

The January - March 2025 edition of The Southfield Scribe senior newsletter is here!
Explore the newsletter by clicking the link below and then call Senior Services at (248) 796-4650 for more details or to register.

The Southfield Scribe January-March 2025

Picture of a person's legs as they ice skate with information about Weekday Open Skate times and fees. — Looking for a fun way to stay active during your lunch break? ⛸️
Head to the Southfield Sports Arena for Weekday Open Skate and burn up to 670 calories in just 30 minutes! Ice skating is not only a fantastic aerobic workout but also strengthens your glutes, abs, and tones your legs.
Weekday Open Skate happens Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00 - 1:20 PM.
Entry is only $4 per person, and skate rentals are available for $3.
For more details, call the Southfield Sports Arena at (248) 796-4640.

an image of a hockey puck sitting on the ice with details about weekday Sticks & Pucks program — 🏒 Join us for Sticks & Pucks during the week!
Practice your skating, puck handling, and shooting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:30 - 11:50 AM.
Open to ages 18 and older only (helmets required), admission is $8 per person.
For more details, call the Southfield Sports Arena at (248) 796-4640.

Graphic featuring a picture of youth Open Skate participants — ⛸️ Get ready to hit the ice because Open Skate is back at the Southfield Sports Arena!

For more details, call the Southfield Sports Arena at (248) 796-4640. See you on the ice! ❄️

Graphic featuring an empty hockey net with a puck about to enter it — 🏒 It’s time for Sticks & Pucks at Southfield Sports Arena!
Hockey players ages 18 and over only, can hit the ice to sharpen their skills each Sunday from 12 - 1:20 pm. Spaces are limited to the first 20 people, so be sure to register early! Don’t forget – helmets are a must for all participants. 🏒🥅
For more details, call the Southfield Sports Arena at (248) 796-4640.

We are hiring announcement with pictures of various staff members and activities — Opportunities Available for
Seasonal (up to 40 hours a week) and
Part-Time (30 hours a week or less)
Workers 18 Years and Older
Find details on all the Parks & Recreation positions available by clicking the Apply Today! button

Apply Today!

The mission of the Southfield Parks & Recreation Department is to provide excellence and equal opportunity in leisure, cultural and recreational services to all Southfield residents. Our purpose is to provide safe, educationally challenging, convenient leisure opportunities, utilizing public open space and quality leisure facilities to enhance the quality of life for Southfield’s total population that might not otherwise be available.