Far, far away, or so it seems, is Hawk Woods Nature Center, an Auburn Hills jewel that is truly worth the visit.  Aside from its nature trails, pond, pavilion and many other amenities, I had the chance on Saturday evening to rent its six cabins and lodge for a family get-together.  Twenty-one of my family members gathered on Saturday afternoon for an overnight stay.  

Each family picked out their own cabin and moved in for a night of camping.  While the cabins may not be heated or have their own bathrooms, it’s hard to say that you are “roughing it” at Hawk Woods.  The Lodge has a kitchenette and is heated, and all of the cabins are very well cared for by our DPW and Recreation Departments.  Five of the cabins sleep six and one sleeps ten, for total accommodations for up to forty people.  Saturday was a little chilly, but the rain held off.  By nightfall, the winds had calmed down and it made for an amazing night around the campfire after we had dinner prepared on the charcoal barbecue grill.  I have just begun my seventeenth year with the City and have been up to Hawk Woods for several events, but never for overnight camping.  This is truly a very special amenity of the City.  Looking around the park also reminded me of the great work of our DPW.  The way in which they care for that property shows our pride of ownership.  Most of my family had never been there, and they were amazed this existed in Auburn Hills.  Hawk Woods can be rented for gatherings of all kinds, including corporate events.  If you are interested in learning more about Hawk Woods, call our Community Center at 248.370.9353 or click on the following link:

http://www.auburnhills.org/departments/parks_and_recreation/parks_and_facilities/hawk_woods_nature_center.php

Tom Tanghe, City Manager