Road Commission Seeking Input on Avon/Dequindre Corridor Project

Avon Road Corridor Improvement Plan The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), in partnership with the Macomb County Department of Roads, the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills and Shelby Township, is seeking public input on a proposed plan to improve the Avon Road/Dequindre Road corridor between The Avon/Dequindre intersection and the 23 Mile Road/Dequindre intersection on the Oakland County/Macomb County border. The road improvement will include: A roundabout at the … [Read more...]

Kayak Landing at Innovation Hills

At the February 10 city council meeting, Rochester Hills City Council approved a contract for the installation of a universal design Kayak Landing at Innovation Hills. This is part of a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant accepted by City Council in November 2018. This landing will allow a kayaker or canoer to stop at Innovation Hills, use the restrooms, take a lunch break, and charge their phones at a solar charging station. The landing will also allow people to launch from the park, which … [Read more...]

Orvis Fly Fishing Demonstration on the Clinton River

Watch experienced outdoorsman and Clinton River booster Jason Davis demonstrate the art of fly fishing Sunday, July 28 at noon on the banks of the Clinton River across from Lake Norcentra Park at Rochester University (formerly named Rochester College). Davis, the passionate store manager of the Orvis Oakland County store in Royal Oak, previously worked for the Clinton River Watershed Council and wrote An Angler’s Guide to Paint Creek, a book on one of southeast Michigan’s best trout … [Read more...]

Water-Powered Mills of the Rochester Area

Mill Town Heritage of Rochester and Avon Township The real estate professional’s mantra that “location is everything” was as true in Rochester’s pioneer days as it is today. Long before the James Graham party led white settlers to today’s Oakland County, its hospitable lakes and streams and the excellent fishing they offered drew native people to the area. Water also attracted the Grahams and those who followed them. It was an essential element to sustain life, and it would power the new … [Read more...]

Road Closure Alert: Letica Road Paving Improvements

The Letica Road Improvements that were scheduled as part of the Oakland County local road improvement grant program are scheduled to begin next week. The road will be completely closed to traffic from the Clinton River Trailhead to just short of the southern drive to the Older Person's Commission (OPC). Detour signs will be placed to route traffic down Parkdale and Elizabeth Streets. Site Specific signs are being created to inform drivers that access is available to the businesses and … [Read more...]

Half Marathon will Close Roads to Showcase Rochester Hills to Runners

The Ninth Running of The Brooksie Way On September 25, runners and walkers with lace up their shoes and head to Rochester Hills for the 9th Annual HAP Brooksie Way. The HAP Brooksie Way, now in its ninth year has become one of the most popular regional fall half marathons. The course begins and ends at the Meadow Brook Amphitheatre (formerly known as the Meadow Brook Music Festival) on the campus of Oakland University and highlights some the great beauty of Rochester Hills including the … [Read more...]

The Ins and Outs of Cycling through Downtown Rochester

Where the Trails Meet Rochester has been named a 2015 Nationally Certified Main Street Community, which emphasizes historic preservation. Finding a balance between the needs of residents, businesses and visitors in the historical downtown area can be challenging. Rochester has adapted to many changes since 1817 and is now at the heart of an increasingly popular recreational trail system connection. The Paint Creek, Clinton River, and Macomb Orchard Trails are a part of a vital network … [Read more...]

Hazardous Spill in Clinton River Under Investigation by the EPA

On Monday afternoon, something covered the waters of the Clinton River near Oakland County's River Bend Park in Rochester Hills. What is this unidentified substance? That's what's the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is trying to figure out, along with how it got into the Clinton River. Read the full story on MLive. … [Read more...]

Rochester Hills Museum Unveils Water-Powered Mill Exhibit

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm has unveiled a new exhibit that features the 25 water-powered mills that once dotted the community.  The exhibit is on display on Fridays and Saturdays from 1–4 p.m. through November 22.  Admission is free for Museum members and $5 adults and $3 seniors and students. The Rochester community has three major water sources with the Clinton River, Paint Creek and Stoney Creek and these waterpower sources supported mills that provided wood, grist, … [Read more...]

Seasons of Fishing Hope Again Come ‘Round

For Rochester area fishermen it was a hard winter. In fact it was brutal. With nearly four months of record snow and sub-zero temperatures there was very little fishing joy going on, especially for fly fishermen. Locally, the Clinton River was frozen over in many spots and, even worse, unsafe shelf-ice made our bold winter steelheaders stay home and tie flies. Some, in acute desperation, dashed north-west to the classic Pere Marquette River but, even there, with thin results. However, things are … [Read more...]