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Sports-loving kids? Take them to Borden Park!

If you have a sports-loving kid and live in the Rochester Hills area, chances are you have been to Borden Park. If you don’t live in the area, the 143-acre Borden Park – at John R and Hamlin roads, 1400 E. Hamlin Road to be exact – is well worth the drive for parents with elementary aged children, tweens and teens. There are many opportunities at Borden for children to get physical – an awesome playground, soccer fields, roller hockey, tennis courts, basketball courts and a batting cage. There are also 30 acres of wooded area with hiking and nature exploration (Like geocaching? There are a few here to find!). There are also measured, paved trails for walking and bike riding. Finally, in the winter, you won’t want to miss the chance to us the Borden Park Sledding Hill.

This park probably isn’t the best if you have small children under the age of 3 or 4, as the playground is definitely geared toward older kids. There isn’t a toddler area but there are a few baby swings and that is about it. The playground area is NOT fenced in. But for kids five and up, the playground can’t be beat. There is a spider web-like structure to climb, slides, tunnels, spinning bowls, things to jump on and a rope on which to balance.  

Bonus for parents: There are bathrooms at the park, picnic tables and park benches to sit on (some in the shade!) and you can see most of the sports areas from the park.  

Borden is always clean and well maintained and there are plenty of trash cans, vending machines selling drinks and a drinking fountain. There are usually other kids there, if your children enjoy meeting new buddies.

You could easily spend a few hours here and your kids can be as active or inactive as they choose.

Fun fact: Earl Borden – the park’s namesake – was the first independently elected mayor of Rochester Hills. Want more information on Borden Park? Click here!



Other Parks in Rochester Hills

  • Avon Nature Study Area is a 102.5-acre park that offers nature trails, wildlife viewing, a pond as well as a gazebo.
  • Avondale Park a park that features sports fields for rent together with a playground and picnic areas.
  • Bloomer Park is a 200-acre community park. The park features sports fields, picnic shelters, a velodrome, trials as well as a play area. There is a fee to use this park.
  • Earl E. Borden Park is a 143-acre sports park. This park hosts sports fields, batting cages, tennis courts, basketball courts together with a roller hockey rink.
  • Eugene S. Nowicki Park is a 340-acre undeveloped park.
  • Helen V. Allen Park features softball diamonds on it’s 4.5 acres.
  • Innovation Hills is currently under development. The park features a beautiful green space with lighted pathways together with fragrant gardens.
  • Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is located along Stony creek. The farm offers tours, special events day camps as well as weddings.
  • Thelma G Spencer Park is a 113-acre park. The community park has an entry fee and features a beautiful lake together with a beach area for swimming.
  • Veterans Memorial Pointe is a 5.1-acre park. The park features a granite monument, gazebo as well as a memorial pathway.
  • Wabash Park is a small neighborhood park. Offers a picnic area, community gardens together with a small playground.
  • Yates Park is located directly across from Yates Cider Mill. The park hosts several picnic tables as well as many fishing sites along the Clinton River.

Connect with Rochester Hills

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More Family Fun in Rochester Hills

Yates Cider Mill

This location offers freshly made cider, donuts, as well as many varieties of apples. Bakes goods, Frankenmuth fudge, fruit preserves and honey are also available.

The Big, Wooden Staircase: Bloomer Park

Over 200 steps down to explore nature at Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills. Don’t miss this Big, Wooden Staircase.

Ice Ages Come and Go Cranbrook Science Museum in Bloomfield Hills

Innovation Hills Park

Innovation Hills Park in Rochester Hills just debuted their one-mile boardwalk trails in July of 2020. Enjoy a picnic, fishing, hiking, and the green space.

Korie Wilkins
Author: Korie Wilkins

Korie is a work at home mom to an energetic boy and a sweet todder girl. She loves big books, chocolate, writing, crochet and her Peloton. A recovering former journalist, Korie is also a wife, cook and allergy mama. Follow her on Twitter at @koriemw.