Clinton River Heritage Park — Attraction in Utica

I can tell you that way back when this park was a complete dump and now you would never even know it. Normally I would give this a slightly lower rating because of some flaws but considering all the improvements as well as the future improvement to come, i believe its just going to keep getting better. Between Utica and Sterling Heights they have really improved the Riverbends / Clinton River park systems beautifully which deserves a 5 star all in itself! To prove my point who would have believed you 15 years ago if you said one day you'll be able to canoe from Yates to Heritage park and not die afterwards? No one because the water was so polluted plus there was so much debris you wouldn't have been able even get through. Who knows maybe in another 5, 10 years we'll be able to make it all the way to lake St. Clair. Great job to all that have worked so hard to make this park what it is today. Friendly note, this park desperately needs a real playground for the kids to truly...

Flooded and washed out as usual. They need to bring in some topsoil and build up the park and trail that goes under Van Dyke.

There is also some glaring hazards on the bridge that needs to be addressed by the city, such as large bolts sticking out (3") of the concrete that could rip right through a child or adults leg while riding by. Not to mention missing fencing on the sidewalk right at a zigzag in the sidewalk that if a child where not paying attention would plummet down the bank 20 ft onto the rocks..lawsuit waiting to happen.

The people that run the livery are rude most of the time if you have to deal with them. Bring your own kayak or canoe and your golden.

Having said all that, on the plus side, that are really good things on the river in the form of canoe and kayak launches. And tying it into Dodge Park which Sterling Heights has done an amazing job of renovating the park..looks amazing! And skating on the rink at Christmas time...

I have been coming here a lot lately, and I am sad to say it's a drug hot spot. Recently I witnessed more than 6 people pull in, meet someone in the bathroom, and leave quickly. Some of them rolled up on bikes, some in cars, and some on roller blades. A woman on the swing would lay her phone on the ground and sit in a swing. Then she gets up, answers phone, talks for a short time, lays phone down and sits back on swing. Within 2 minutes a guy goes into the bathroom, within another minute someone else goes into the bathroom. Less than 1-2 minutes later, they both leave and the cycle starts again. I believe they have a supplier who stays at another nearby park for when the stash gets low. I'm so disgusted to see this in my home town. Be careful when going under the bridge to go in the water. I came across multiple users down there. If you go here, keep your eyes open and you will see exactly what I'm...