Playing around with making “tours”. You start at one location then look for the directions (small ^ icon) to go to the next location within LeFurge Nature Preserve. If you are seeing a black rectangle with icons on it in the picture, then I am not working to support your device. (Don’t feel bad, it doesn’t work on some of mine either!). To make the pictures show on older hardware I must convert the picture size to a “1×2” format. Even if carefully done this distorts the image, which means other people see a less than optimum image. So. . . Sorry
The icons with the small camera indicate a photo is attached. Click on the icon to see it. The hiker icon takes you to the next view, or preserve.
There is also a small compass rose icon on most views. Depending on the layout I use it can be in different locations. This is set so the solid end of the pointer shows North. Click on the icon to turn the view to face North.
Use the double arrow at the bottom right to go “Full Screen” for the best experience! You can use the “Esc” key to close that window when you are done.
Lost Lake Preserve
360 of runways July 10, 2021
Conservancy Farm
Jack R. Smiley
Springhill
Sibley Prairie
LeFurge Woods
Secrest Preserve
Morris-Reichert
Return to SMLC News
Bell Creek Preserve
16401 Harrison St., Livonia, MI 48154
"The Conservancy Farmhouse"
The old farmhouse is now used as the offices for the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy.
The old farmhouse is now used as the offices for the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy.
The kiosk at the entrance to the trail contains useful
information you may wish to read before heading out on the trail.
information you may wish to read before heading out on the trail.
"The Red Barn"
The Big Red Barn! Home to a Brown Bat colony.
There is an annual count where volunteers gather on the lawn
to tally the bats as they fly out in the evening.
The Big Red Barn! Home to a Brown Bat colony.
There is an annual count where volunteers gather on the lawn
to tally the bats as they fly out in the evening.
"The Milk House"
The old milk cooler is still inside. The milking room is still in the red barn.
The old milk cooler is still inside. The milking room is still in the red barn.
"The Machine Shop"
The other end of the milk house has a room for mechanical repairs,
and old tack for the livestock.
The other end of the milk house has a room for mechanical repairs,
and old tack for the livestock.
"The Original Homestead"
The old hewn log cabin. I hear tell it slept a family of eight!
Later, it appears to have been a home for chickens.
The old hewn log cabin. I hear tell it slept a family of eight!
Later, it appears to have been a home for chickens.
"The Corn Crib"
A small shed with slatted crib inside to dry the corn for later use.
A small shed with slatted crib inside to dry the corn for later use.
"The Sugar Shack"
Hiding behind the large silo is the sugar shack.
A metal roof, a tin smoke stack, seems like it would
have been a good place to make maple syrup.
Hiding behind the large silo is the sugar shack.
A metal roof, a tin smoke stack, seems like it would
have been a good place to make maple syrup.
"The Carriage House"
Wide sliding doors on the front allowed easy egress for carriages.
Wide sliding doors on the front allowed easy egress for carriages.
"The Pole Barn"
A newer building, now used for storing stewardship equipment.
A newer building, now used for storing stewardship equipment.
"The Community Gardens"
Come on out and get a plot for growing some tasty organic veggies!
Come on out and get a plot for growing some tasty organic veggies!
Head West on Vreeland Road, look to your left (South),
and you will be at the LeFurge Preserve Trailhead.
and you will be at the LeFurge Preserve Trailhead.
After you pass the gardens and get to the tree line
turn left (West) and head into the woods.
Take the fork to the right (North) and follow the trail!
turn left (West) and head into the woods.
Take the fork to the right (North) and follow the trail!
If you are going down Vreeland Road,
watch for the Conservancy Farm sign.
watch for the Conservancy Farm sign.
Take a ride around the farm!
No ticket needed!
No TSA full body scan required!
No sea sickness!
No unruly kids, behind you, staring over the seat at you,
or beside you (with grubby hands)!
Maybe not so good for slow connections, or limited data plans!
No ticket needed!
No TSA full body scan required!
No sea sickness!
No unruly kids, behind you, staring over the seat at you,
or beside you (with grubby hands)!
Maybe not so good for slow connections, or limited data plans!
There is no garden news.
Come back in the spring!
Return to the Farm Tour
Return to the Farm Tour
Return to the Farm Tour
There is a smaller entrance to LeFurge on the North side, on Vreeland Road.
Not really good parking here. Park at the Conservancy farm, and walk here, it's a nice walk.
Or, if you are coming this way, turn left and you will find the entrance to Meyer Preserve,
turn right, and you will go to the Conservancy Farm.
Not really good parking here. Park at the Conservancy farm, and walk here, it's a nice walk.
Or, if you are coming this way, turn left and you will find the entrance to Meyer Preserve,
turn right, and you will go to the Conservancy Farm.
Follow the trail South and you will be headed
for the LeFurge Prospect Road trail head,
The meadows, and the SE Fields.
for the LeFurge Prospect Road trail head,
The meadows, and the SE Fields.
You will be going through the woods,
be warned it is often muddy!
Boardwalks are being constructed,
but it takes time, and money.
be warned it is often muddy!
Boardwalks are being constructed,
but it takes time, and money.
Head East down Vreeland Road and you will come to the Conservancy Farm.
The trailhead for LeFurge Nature Preserve on Prospect Road.
Following this trail will get you to the Campfire and picnic area of LeFurge Woods.
Heading North will take you to the entrance on Vreeland Road, and then the Conservancy Farm.
Moraine, kame, outwash plain, kettle, kettle lake, are all to be found around the Ann Arbor area.
The hill and ponds are none of them. Just so you know.
The hill and ponds are none of them. Just so you know.
Know what a Geocache is? There are two in the preserve.
Swamp Brush GC12WMY and New 2U3? GCWR8H
Park here for both of them.
There are also a couple "Treasure Chest" geoart caches up on Vreeland.
Swamp Brush GC12WMY and New 2U3? GCWR8H
Park here for both of them.
There are also a couple "Treasure Chest" geoart caches up on Vreeland.
To LeFurge SE Field.
LeFurge Campfire Area: Sit down and take a break.
Look around, enjoy nature.
Sit quiet for awhile and look for wildlife.
Look around, enjoy nature.
Sit quiet for awhile and look for wildlife.
What is this rock?
Why is it here?
How did it get here?
What or who made the depressions in the top?
What were they for?
So many questions, so few answers.
Why is it here?
How did it get here?
What or who made the depressions in the top?
What were they for?
So many questions, so few answers.
This parking area is used for SMLC held "Full Moon Campfires".
See their web site for schedule. Entrance is on Prospect Road,
and there are usually signs out showing you where to turn.
There is no access at any other time.
See their web site for schedule. Entrance is on Prospect Road,
and there are usually signs out showing you where to turn.
There is no access at any other time.
Leaving the campfire area you can go straight into the woods, or make a large loop.
You can turn left (North) and head back to the main entrance on Prospect Road.
Or you continue on to head to the Conservancy Farm, Meyer Preserve and then into Jack R. Smiley Preserve.
You can turn left (North) and head back to the main entrance on Prospect Road.
Or you continue on to head to the Conservancy Farm, Meyer Preserve and then into Jack R. Smiley Preserve.
Going North will take you to the main entrance on Prospect Road. Or you can continue and go to the Conservancy Farm.
If you head South by making a right turn here, you will go around the meadow, then through the fence row to the SE Field.
The LeFurge Meadow North Woods Trail heads into the old forest and makes a wonderful hike on a warm day. It's just as fun in the snow during the winter. A favorite with cross country skiers!
The LeFurge Meadow South Woods Trail, winds around a bit, and then links up with the North trail.
LeFurge Prospect Road Trail Head and Parking.
Follow the trail along the field, through the fence row, along the path to the Campfire and Picnic Area.
LeFurge SE Field Trail Head leave the field here, turn right (North)
and go along the edge of the field until you see the path through the fence row.
and go along the edge of the field until you see the path through the fence row.
Currently (2020) there is no other exit maintained from this field.
The field to the East can be accessed by crossing the drain.
There is a path on the other side which is maintained by local volunteers.
The field to the East can be accessed by crossing the drain.
There is a path on the other side which is maintained by local volunteers.
In 2020 after 15 years of neglect, the field was cleared of invasive growth.
The brush was placed in piles to be burned during the winter.
I hope to add a new 360 photo when the grass is green during the summer of 2021.
The brush was placed in piles to be burned during the winter.
I hope to add a new 360 photo when the grass is green during the summer of 2021.
Take a flight over the field to see what all was done.
This large field is part of the LeFurge Nature Preserve, however it is farmed by local farmers.
JRSNP Trail Head on Cherry Hill Road
Follow the trail over the bridge
Between the fields
Around the swamp
Over the bridge, along restoration area
And into the woods!
Between the fields
Around the swamp
Over the bridge, along restoration area
And into the woods!
Head East on Cherry Hill,
then turn left (North) on Berry Road.
In about .75 mile the entrance to Springhill
Preserve should be on your left (West side of the road.)
then turn left (North) on Berry Road.
In about .75 mile the entrance to Springhill
Preserve should be on your left (West side of the road.)
Parking for the Jack R Smiley Preserve
is located across the road at the Superior Township Hall.
is located across the road at the Superior Township Hall.
The Superior Township Hall.
and local police station.
and local police station.
Harley School Park.
Superior Center Park
Small, but nice, and popular.
Small, but nice, and popular.
Trail to Conservancy Farm property.
Head through the woods.
Watch for fork in path, when you see it, head left. (East)
Head through the woods.
Watch for fork in path, when you see it, head left. (East)
Follow the trail North over the bridge,
and soon you will arrive at the Jack R Smiley
trail head on Cherry Hill Road.
and soon you will arrive at the Jack R Smiley
trail head on Cherry Hill Road.
This area was restored to wetland's about 2017. Nature is now taking over again.
The field at the far North end of the Conservancy Farm.
There are no real trails to, or in, this area.
However it can be accessed from the trail North of the farm gardens.
There are no real trails to, or in, this area.
However it can be accessed from the trail North of the farm gardens.
The trail head for Springhill Nature Preserve.
Head South down Berry road,
then turn right (West) when
you get to Cherry Hill.
then turn right (West) when
you get to Cherry Hill.
Follow the trail through the woods and eventually
you will enter the "Kosch-Headwaters Preserve" grounds.
you will enter the "Kosch-Headwaters Preserve" grounds.
Secrest Preserve this way, and across Ford Road.
Wander around long enough and you
may find the trail back to the
Springhill Preserve trailhead on Berry Road.
may find the trail back to the
Springhill Preserve trailhead on Berry Road.
The Kosch-Headwaters Preserve trail head
on Prospect Road, just south of Ford Road.
on Prospect Road, just south of Ford Road.
Future parking area.
This site has not yet been developed!
Planning is in the works for parking, trails, etc.
There is limited parking by the road.
There are no maintained trails.
Planning is in the works for parking, trails, etc.
There is limited parking by the road.
There are no maintained trails.
Schroeter and Weatherbee Woods parks
are to the North of Secrest Preserve.
Their entrance is on Warren Road.
are to the North of Secrest Preserve.
Their entrance is on Warren Road.
South end of preserve on Ford Road (M-12)
Return to the Secrest Preserve
Ford Road ahead.
Return to the North end and parking.
Berry Road
Springhill way down here!
The parking lot and trail head at Sibley West Prairie
The parking lot and information kiosk.
Old trails left by ATV's.
They are not allowed on this property!
They are not allowed on this property!
The trail heads pretty much due North.
Not a far walk, but very nice.
It is a "Lollipop" so when you walk down the trail
eventually it loops back into the same trail to return.
Not a far walk, but very nice.
It is a "Lollipop" so when you walk down the trail
eventually it loops back into the same trail to return.
Morris-Reichert Trailhead, parking and kiosk.
One of the many crop circles left by ancient aliens, or maybe fairies.
If you look closely you can see some of the Bluebird houses on the preserve. They are visible due to the large white "critter guards" placed on the posts.
I need to get some additional photos when the weather permits. Then I would like to add in some additional still photos of the points of interest at each location.
