Located about thirty miles north of Detroit, Auburn Hills is one of the fastest-growing cities in southeast Michigan. It was founded in 1821 as Pontiac Township, and included the village of Auburn, at the location of what today is the corner of Auburn and Squirrell Roads. It was named by its first settler, Aaron Webster, after Auburn, New York. He owned a grist mill and sawmill that attracted settlers to the area seeking work. Once the streets were laid out in 1826, the town rivaled the nearby City of Pontiac until the 1860s.
Once renamed “Amy” in 1880 and Auburn Heights in 1919, the area that became Auburn Hills bordered Pontiac on two sides. The township attempted to incorporate under Pontiac Heights in 1971 but was denied by state officials. The first use of its current name was in 1964 by Oakland Community College, which named its campus at Featherstone and Squirrel after the colorful, hilly terrain of the region. In 1983, Pontiac Township merged with the village of Auburn Heights to become the City of Auburn Hills.
One of the benefits that residents of Auburn Hills reap is plenty of options for spending time outdoors. Civic Center Park is right up your alley if you enjoy kicking back with a fishing pole and some picnic gear. This recreational park features nature trails showcasing a wealth of natural beauty, a pond full of fish, a softball field, a nine-hole disc golf course, and more.
For the people who get bored with keeping their feet on solid ground, the Auburn Hills Skate Park is an outdoor street-style extreme sports facility, which is open from April to November. High-flyers who bring their BMX bikes, skateboards, or in-line rollerblades are invited to shred the ramps, rails, tables, and everything else as creatively as possible. Bring your helmet and other protective gear if you plan on making a trip to this spot.
Another local favorite is River Woods Park, nestled along the Clinton River. This municipal area has a paved pathway system with a bridge over the river, a children’s play structure with swings, climbers, and more. The Fieldstone Golf Course is one of roughly 170 local courses. This beauty of an 18-hole course is renowned as one of the best around. Combining dedicated staff and masterful maintenance with a diverse landscape and hole designs by famed architect Arthur Hills, this high-quality course provides the kind of experience that many clubs try to imitate but often fail to measure up to.
Sea Life Michigan is the state’s largest aquarium. In the ocean tunnel, you can get up close and personal with stingrays and sharks. The sea turtles are an example of our oceanic rescue efforts. There are over 10 interactive areas, including a touch pool for the kids. Right next door is the Legoland Discovery Center. See local area landmarks built from Legos or build your own unique structure. Kids can meet the Lego characters, catch a 4D movie, or try Merlin’s Apprentice ride. For the adults, give Michigan by the Bottle Tasting Room a try. Have a taste of the best wines that the local wineries have to offer. Wine lovers can join the Sipper’s Club, and receive discounts, special event invitations, and 2 wine shipments annually.
Auburn Hills is a gorgeous city with beautiful natural scenery and homes that the owners have worked hard to obtain, so it’s no surprise that they want it to look great. Whether you’ve got uneven patches in your lawn or want to add features such as a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, or other changes to your outdoor living space in the Metro Detroit or Oakland County areas, contact Kenney Landscaping. We are the area’s #1 outdoor living space contractor and we can turn your property into the space of your dreams.