Easy hikes and walks around Grosse Pointe Park

John’s Pond is a small wetland feature along the Little River Corridor, surrounded by naturalized grassland and trees. It’s a quiet spot to pause along the trail, with the pond adding another habitat for birds and other wildlife within the corridor. The water is for viewing only: fishing, swimming and ice skating are not permitted, so stick to the surrounding paths and enjoy it from the shore.

Little River Corridor Trail runs through a broad naturalized green space linking the Ganatchio Trail with neighbourhoods further south. The route passes wildflower meadows, ponds and pockets of Carolinian woodland, with bridges crossing the Little River East Marsh Tap Drain along the way. Keep an eye out for turtles, birds and bats around the wetter sections. The wider Little River route extends for about 7.5 kilometres through Windsor’s east side.

Sandpoint Beach sits where the Detroit River opens into Lake St. Clair, with a broad sandy shoreline and wide views across the water. The surrounding parkland remains open and connects directly with the Ganatchio Trail, with picnic areas, a playground, parking and washrooms nearby. Water access is currently closed indefinitely, so treat this as a waterfront stop rather than a swimming beach and follow the barriers and posted signs.

The Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse on Belle Isle was named in honor of William Livingstone of Detroit. Born in 1844, Livingstone was president of the Dime Bank, owner of the "Detroit Evening Journal," and longtime president of the Lake Carriers Association. He was also responsible for several important improvements to navigation on the Great Lakes, including the creation of a deep-water channel in the lower Detroit River, which came to be known as the Livingstone Channel. Following his death in 1925, friends and colleagues from across the city joined together to erect a fitting memorial in Livingstone's memory. Designed by renowned Detroit architect Albert Kahn, the Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse was located at the northern tip of Belle Isle, overlooking Lake St. Clair.

For decades, the 42-acre Blue Heron Lagoon on the eastern tip of Belle Isle has been separated from the Detroit River by a land bridge, cutting off its wetland and nursery area for freshwater fish and wildlife. Thanks to a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, workers were able to reconnect this habitat with the river, granting access to Great Lakes fish. The project also improved five acres of coastal wetland and nearly an acre of spawning habitat in the Detroit River, complementing an existing spawning bank just offshore of Belle Isle.

But unfortunately not accessible, there is a gate in front

A great view of the skyline

This little park is really fun for the family, with a schooner-themed playground that includes water cannons and some small cascades — maybe no big surprise, since the park is right next to the Coast Guard base? There are fishing piers, restrooms and a cafe, too, and the park also connected into the Riverwalk.