What is Rotary Park in Novi, MI?

The township of Novi, Michigan, has acquired a 2 acre parcel of land between Chase Farms and Rotary Park. It was acquired as part of a land exchange with a property owner on Twelve Mile Road, with State grant funding matched by the Novi Rotary Club. Now, residents can use this area as a park and play for a variety of recreational activities. But what is it exactly? Read on to find out.

Tennis courts

Located east of Novi Road at 22220 Roethel Drive, Rotary Park is a 48-acre nature preserve. It offers tennis courts, playscapes, and picnic areas. Hiking trails are also nearby. In Michigan, there are over two thousand miles of hiking trails, with several of them located in Southeast Michigan. If you’re interested in learning more about the area’s hiking trails, check out the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ website.

Sanitation facility

In late December, the City of Rochester will begin removing large areas of buckthorn from Rotary Park. This will occur in the areas facing Nine Mile Road, south of the parking lot, and along the pathway to Chase Farms. The City will use the money raised from the Tree Fund to complete the removals. The removals will benefit the park’s natural landscape by preventing buckthorn from shading native trees and plants on the ground. See These Helpful Hints!

Buckthorn removal

The City of Rochester, MI has started removing non-native buckthorn and other woody species from its parks. The money raised from its Tree Fund goes toward these efforts. City contractors are hired to remove buckthorn and other trees and shrubs in the park. Volunteers may help by hiring a contractor. Here’s how they work:

Volunteers bring goats to the park to eat buckthorn. The goats will eat the shortest buckthorn plants and those that grow to four to six feet. The goats will be kept in 1-acre to two-acre paddocks enclosed with electrical mesh fencing. These goats will be monitored by volunteers from the Ozaukee/Washington Land Trust. They will be released for ten to fourteen days in June and two to three days in fall.

The City will remove the buckthorn and replace it with native species. It will take at least a year for the plants to grow and decompose. The City will also add native floodplain plantings in the future to replace the buckthorn. In this way, the City will restore the park to its natural state. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to contact city staff. Discover More about Michigan here!

Driving Direction from Pink Pro Wash to Rotary Park

Driving Direction from Rotary Park to Lakeshore Park