Local State Park Is A Resource for Outdoor Recreation

has 950 acres of woods, trails and meadows. Located south of Eight Mile between Beck and Napier roads, it preserves a natural environment amid local development.

Prior to opening as a state park in 1975, the acreage was owned by the city of Detroit. In 1917, in response to a tuberculosis epidemic, the city purchased eight farms in Northville Township and built a sanatorium. From 1921-1969 tuberculosis patients were treated at Maybury Sanatorium, named after William Maybury who contributed to its development.

The sanatorium closed its doors in 1969, and in 1972 was purchased by the State of Michigan for the purpose of creating a state park. The next few years were spent demolishing sanatorium buildings, paving parking lots and making other preparations.

Karen Gourlay, Frank Toarmina and Andrew Cole work together at Maybury. Gourlay, the Explorer Program Coordinator, hires and trains seasonal naturalists to work in state parks throughout Michigan. Park Interpreters plan programs such as nature hikes for schools, scouting groups, and the community.

There’s also a program that reaches out to kids with no out-of-doors experience.

“The Urban Outreach Program is an intro to what state parks offer,” Gourlay explained. “Kids can sign up and learn outdoor skills like fishing, archery, using a compass, and how to set up a tent.”

Cole, Maybury’s Supervisor, shared information about family events which include an Easter Egg Scramble in April, camp outs in July and August, and an Owl Prowl in December.

According to Park Ranger Toarmina, Maybury has adapted to recreational trends. When cross country skiing was popular in the ‘80s, the park had a concession that rented skis. In the ‘90s mountain biking rose in popularity, so a mountain bike trail was made.

Maybury has a fishing pond, picnic shelters, play equipment and a privately run riding stable.

Kim Hone and her husband LeRoy own . The couple, in the stable business for 20 years, has 40 horses. From April through mid-November they offer hourly rentals, hayrides, riding lessons, pony parties and more.

“The park is a well-kept little secret,” Hone said. “It’s a great place for families to spend the day and not break the bank. You can have picnics, hike, bike, and there’s fishing.”

Maybury Farm, located just west of the park’s Eight Mile entrance, used to be owned by the park. According to Shari Peters, President of the Northville Community Foundation (NCF), the park closed the farm in 2002 for budgetary reasons. The DNR approached the NCF, asking if they would take over farm operations.

“The NCF Board felt that this was important enough to the Northville community and surrounding communities, and it fell within our Mission to accept taking over the operations,” Peters explained.

The Friends of Maybury is a non-profit volunteer run organization that supports park programs and helps maintain the grounds. Its President, George McCarthy, spoke about some of its accomplishments.

“The Friends have completed three ID projects,” McCarthy said. ”We had park trail signs redone; had history markers memorializing the sanatorium made; and we installed nature markers that identify birds and foliage.”

Vehicles entering Maybury require a Recreation Passport, which can be bought when renewing a license. It costs $10 and allows entry into all Michigan state parks. State parks are no longer tax supported. They receive funding through the Recreation Passport and other user fees.