Village Parks

The Village of Dexter has six parks, in addition to the recreational facilities available at the schools. Monument Park, Warrior Creek Park and Peace Park are close to the Village's downtown district and are used by Village and non-Village residents alike. The Dexter Community Park is on the east side of the Village.

Monument Park, the Village's .3-acre town square, is where community celebrations such as Dexter Daze, Apple Daze and Victorian Christmas are held. It has a gazebo for concerts and other cultural events, providing a community gathering place in the downtown district.

Warrior Creek Park is a 2.15-acre park, located behind the fire station next to the Mill Creek which flows into the Huron River. New playground equipment installed in 2002, and plans for future park development will make Warrior Creek Park a desirable place for residents of all ages.

Peace Park, a .2-acre mini park on the east side of the Village, has picnic tables and benches for residents to enjoy. The mission of Peace Park is to encourage residents to relax and reflect on the cultural and social diversity of the Village.

The Dexter Community Park is the Village's most recent acquisition. In the past few years, a walking path, gazebo, benches, basektball court and other improvements have been made to this park. Dexter Community park is located on Ryan Drive and is open to the public.

The First Street Park is located at the end of Edison Street along the railroad tracks. The park is equipped with horseshoe pits, picnic tables and a porta potty during the summer months.

Lions Park, which contains a small gazebo, is next to the Dexter Senior Center on Dexter-Ann Arbor Road.

Smith Wood, located on Dexter-Chelsea Road, was the Village's largest park. The 17 acre park is undeveloped, although trails have been cleared throughout the wooded and otherwise undisturbed land. This park was donated to Washtenaw County in 2008 to enhance the Miller-Smith Preserve.

New Park Under Development

Mill Creek Park (under development) is an approximately 4 acre park that will be developed in the former Main Street dam impoundment. The Village received a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant and a Waterways Infrastructure in 2009 to develop non motorized boat launches, a trail network, natural features and fishing docks to reconnect people with the Mill Creek. Park development in slated to start in 2011. Mill Creek Park Information.

Regional Parks and Recreation

Huron-Clinton Metroparks: The Southeast Michigan region is serviced by the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, which controls approximately 24,000 acres of land within five counties. Washtenaw County has three regional parks within 7 miles of the Village limits. Hudson Mills Metropark, the largest of the three, provides multiple recreation, learning, and group facilities and activities. Dexter-Huron Metropark also provides many recreation and family recreation opportunities. Delhi Metropark, which is along the Huron River, provides play areas, picnicking, boat and canoe rental. The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority's website is located at http://www.metroparks.com.

Border-to-Border Non-Motorized Path: The Village of Dexter is working with the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation to connect the Village with a regional trail system, and to link the Village's parks into the regional system along the Huron River. The Village and the schools are also working together to extend the system along the Mill Creek through the Village to the school's future nature corridor and outdoor lab.