Bird Joy for Every Body
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Sat. 6/20 – Outing at Dodge #4 State Park, Waterford (FREE)
June 20 @ 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
DODGE #4 STATE PARK, Waterford
4250 Parkway Drive
Waterford MI, 48328
Join Khrys and Ren for an early summer stroll along Cass Lake! Spring migration is sliding into breeding season. Birds will start to quiet down and be busy nesting or raising fledglings. We’re heading out to Dodge #4 State Park on Cass Lake in Waterford, which has some different habitat than Red Oaks. Given the lake and the surrounding marshy areas, we should see some waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds, in addition to the forest-dwelling songbirds we were seeing at Red Oaks. If you want to check out what folks have been seeing recently, take a look at the recent eBird entries.
Everyone who is about finding and sharing bird joy is welcome to bird with us! We celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world, including all our unique human bodies and expressions of humanity. Beginning birders are especially encouraged to come. This will be a welcoming space to ask questions, learn from each other, and share bird joy!
We will meet at the BEACH parking lot (Green circle on map below). After you pass through the entrance gate, you will take the third exit off the roundabout. There is a sign on the yellow gate that says BEACH. Pass the first parking area and continue to the second large parking lot. We’ll meet near the restroom/locker room building (marked in a purple square inside the green circle).
We’ll take about 10ish minutes for introductions and go over how to use binoculars. Then we’ll head past the restroom/locker room building toward the beach. The group will move slowly and stop as often as anyone would like–no one will be left behind! You are welcome to join us later than 8:30 and leave whenever you need. We will end our outing back at the parking lot at 10:00.
The path is paved from the lot until the pier at the end of the swimming area and there are numerous benches. It is compacted gravel from that point to the end of the first side of the loop, save the observation pier, which is made out of composite decking material and is in good condition. There is some washout before the foot bridge, but still at least 2 feet of solid path.
After the bridge, the path on the other side of the pond is grass and there are no benches until we get back to the open area where the trail curves up a little. When I scouted on Sunday, we’d been having storms and it was very soggy. As of this writing the forecast for Saturday is glorious; however, we are expected to get more rain this week, so, if we decide to head down that path, waterproof shoes or shoes you are okay with getting wet and muddy are strongly advised. If it is too wet, or it would be difficult for anyone to navigate, we will adjust course. We only go where the group can go!
If we do make it to the next trail leg, we’ll rejoin a paved path. If we feel up for it, there is an observation platform to the left. It is a short walk, but fairly steep. This is the only elevated part of the route (see the spike on the elevation graph next to the map below.) Either way, we’ll end up heading back toward the parking lot on a gravel trail.
Bring binoculars if you have them. If you don’t have any and would like to use some, see if your local library has a pair available. We will also have a few pairs to loan out. If you are interested in getting a pair for yourself, check out the binoculars section of the Guide to Getting Started page.
Dress for the weather and wear shoes that are comfortable for standing and walking. For this outing, waterproof or “OK to get wet/muddy” is advised. A brimmed hat is recommended. Other considerations: sunscreen, bug spray, a bottle of water, and a small snack.
Registration is encouraged, but not required – it helps us plan and enables us to communicate with you. Please send a message to EveryBodyGetOutside@proton.me to let us know if you are able to join us! Include any questions you have and let us know if you have any access needs not addressed here and we will do our best to meet them.
We will meet rain (within reason) or shine, but in the event of torrential thunderstorms or other extreme weather we’ll reschedule. We will notify of cancellation by email not later than 7:30 AM the morning of the outing. We will also post the cancellation on the website.
If you right click on this image and open in a new tab, you can view it full size.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
If you do not already have a Recreation Passport “P” on your license plate registration sticker, you will need to pay $15 + $5 convenience fee at the park. You will be issued a windshield sticker that is good for the year.
If you do not have a “P” registration sticker and do not want to purchase annual pass or it would be financially burdensome to pay for one, please e-mail us at EveryBodyGetOutside@proton.me not later than Friday to see if we can arrange for someone to pick you up near the park entrance and bring you into the park in their vehicle.
PARKING
The beach parking lot is paved and has a number of handicapped and van accessible parking places available.
RESTROOMS AND WATER
PLEASE NOTE: As of Sunday, 6/14, there was a sign on the restroom building next to the Beach parking lot saying the facilities were closed due to a water main break. There were 4 port-a-johns set up next to the building. At the time, they were gross and out of toilet paper. I will endeavor to bring a roll on Saturday.
There is another restroom facility (unisex singles with flushing toilets and sinks) near the Bay parking lot (purple square, left side of map). You can get right next to these if you take the second turn off the roundabout to the “Hill” and follow the road to the end. These are also a short walk from the boat launch parking area.
None of the water fountains I found were functional, so please bring enough water for the outing.
ACCESSIBILITY
ROUTE DISTANCE – The whole route is approximately 1 mile long and is largely flat, with the exception of the optional walk up to the observation deck, which is quite short, but fairly steep.
TRAIL SURFACES – Paved > compacted/crushed gravel > grass > gravel
This is a recreational park that allows leashed dogs. We will have to share the trail with other walkers and runners, as well as folks carrying fishing gear. The beach may be lively and there may be parties happening at the shelters.