Bowers Farm - Discovery Oaks

Oakland County Parks, Bloomfield Hills Schools and MSU Extension are building on the decades-long tradition of innovative environmental and farm-based education and Oakland County Parks’ long history of recreation programming and community service with Bowers Farm - Discovery Oaks Park. This 30-year partnership ensures that the values of hands-on learning, healthy living and community connection continue to grow, making Bowers Farm - Discovery Oaks Park Southeast Michigan's flagship public park destination.

Under the operating agreement, ownership remains with Bloomfield Hills Schools while staffing authority and day-to-day management responsibility transferred to Oakland County Parks. A capital commitment from Bloomfield Hills Schools included $1.5 million toward stabilization of existing conditions prior to OCP assuming operations while a capital commitment from Oakland County Parks includes not less than $1.5 million toward public access and recreation improvements across both Bowers Farm - Discovery Oaks Park and Bloomfield Oaks - Johnson Nature Center, to be expended within two years of full transition. The Park Action Plan will be reviewed every five years and the Capital Improvement Plan reviewed every four years.

• Partnership FAQs
• Discovery Oaks - Bowers Farm news release

Winter Park

Winter Park, a signature glow tubing and outdoor ice rink experience at Bowers Farm – Discovery Oaks Park in Bloomfield Hills, will be held Thursdays-Sundays Dec. 18-Feb. 28.

This popular event typically sells out, so make plans for a memorable winter outing now. 

Winter Park is known for its glow tubing hill. It is a thrilling experience that takes place during the day or night under a canopy of brightly colored lights so it’s easy to capture photos of all the screams and smiles. In addition to tubing, the event features:

• Ice skating, free for those with their own skates or available to rent for $6/residents and $8 non-residents in sizes toddler 9-mens 13
• Bunny Slide, a sledding hill used without sleds
• Friendly farm animals
• Crackling bonfire with s’mores
• Warming tent
• Comfort food and a hot cocoa bar from the Farm Kitchen
• Seasonal finds in the Farm Store
• Special weekend pop-up activities
• Adult beverages hosted by Friends of Bowers Farm

No snow, no problem

The glow tubing hill is a special surface, made from recycled construction barrels, that allow tubers to glide in any type of weather.

What to know before you go

• Tubing passes are timed for 50 minutes starting at your scheduled ticket time. These 50-minute tubing sessions are designed to reduce wait times and ensure everyone gets plenty of runs down the hill
• Winter Park is a classic, walk-up tubing hill
• The tubing hill is recommended for ages 5+ 
• Tubes are provided 
• Only one rider allowed per tube 

Hours

General hours are 4-9 p.m. Thursdays; 4-10 p.m. Fridays; noon-10 p.m. Saturdays; and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. 

During the holiday break, hours will be expanded as follows:

• Dec. 21 – noon- 8 p.m.
• Dec. 22 – noon- 8 p.m.
• Dec. 23 – noon- 8 p.m.
• Dec. 24 – Closed
• Dec. 25 – Closed
• Dec. 26 – noon- 10 p.m.
• Dec. 27 – noon- 8 p.m.
• Dec. 28 – noon- 8 p.m.
• Dec. 29 – noon- 8 p.m.
• Dec. 30 – noon- 8 p.m.
• Dec. 31 – Closed
• Jan. 1 – Closed

Ticket information

Entry to Winter Park is free. Group party rental reservations are currently being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups can enjoy tubing and/or ice skating and rent a warming tent for cozy conversations during downtime. For more information or to purchase a group rental, visit the Group Rental Reservation webpage. Call 248-341-6475 for assistance with group rentals.

Bowers Farm members can purchase tubing tickets for $16/person beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 16. Annual memberships start at $55 and are available for individuals, adults ages 60+, families and grandparents. Membership benefits include Open Barn admission, ticket discounts, early registration and ticket purchase sales and discounts on items in the Farm Store. For more information or to purchase a Bowers Farm membership, click here.

Glow tubing tickets for the general public will be available beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 18 for $17/resident and $19/non-resident. Tickets are good for one 50-minute session, but guests are welcome to stay on site to enjoy the free activities, shopping and food for as long as they would like. Tubing tickets must be purchased in advance.

Skating entry is free. Skate rental is available for $6/residents and $8 non-residents. Sizes include toddler 9-mens 13.

A glow tubing/skate rental combo ticket offers value at $21/resident; $25/non-resident. 

The event will be held in most weather conditions; no ticket refunds or exchanges. Both the tubing hill and ice-skating rink operate whether there are cold, snowy conditions or not.

Additional Information

Bowers Farm - Discovery Oaks Park includes livestock operations with sheep, horses, goats, poultry and llama; agricultural production areas; a farm kitchen and market selling farm-grown produce; 75 community gardens; and 21 curated botanical gardens maintained by the Oakland County Master Gardener Society.

The site is also home to two historic structures relocated and restored by Preservation Bloomfield: The 1834 Craig Log Cabin and the 1845 Barton Farmhouse. These pre-Civil War buildings represent some of the oldest surviving examples of pioneer architecture in Oakland County.

Signature events draw regional audiences throughout the year. Winter Park and Glow Tubing has become one of the county’s most popular winter attractions. The Fall Festival includes a Cornfield Quest, pumpkin patch, wagon rides and live music. Farm After Five hosts evening events featuring local craft beverages, while strolling dinners and fairy-house building programs attract families and adults alike.

The farm also hosts an active 4-H Club and serves as a partner site with MSU Extension.

The site sits within the population-dense central corridor of Oakland County, with direct access from Telegraph Road, Woodward Avenue and Square Lake Road, and visibility from I-75. It supports Oakland County Parks’ Mission 26 goal of expanding outdoor learning and stewardship opportunities.