FOHRA Partners with Freedom Work Opportunities for Highland Recreation Area Haven Hill Landscaping Services

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   The Friends of Highland Recreation Area have enlisted the services of Freedom Work Opportunities to help with the increasing landscape maintenance needs at Haven Hill. 

    As the volunteer Friends group continues to successfully repurpose and restore the historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford estate structures, their areas of lawn care and landscape maintenance grow. The Friends groups' lease for the historic properties includes a commitment to maintain the properties as progress with their redevelopment is made. And, of course, the volunteers have a passionate desire to elevate and maintain the beauty and historical value of these wonderful former Edsel and Eleanor Ford properties at Highland State Recreation Area. 

THE HAVEN HILL GATE HOUSE LANDSCAPE'S NEWLY FOUND BEAUTY REQUIRES INCREASED MAINTENANCE AND DEDICATION

THE HAVEN HILL GATE HOUSE LANDSCAPE'S NEWLY FOUND BEAUTY REQUIRES INCREASED MAINTENANCE AND DEDICATION

The Haven Hill Gate House before the foHRa volunteer efforts, circa 2008

The Haven Hill Gate House before the foHRa volunteer efforts, circa 2008

   Your support of FOHRA's efforts in the state park at the Gate House, Edsel Ford Barn, Carriage House and Lodge site over the last few years have resulted in dramatic improvements to these historic sites. The Friends group wishes to thank everyone for their involvement and donations of financial support that help to pay Freedom Work Opportunities employees for their excellent services.

freedom work opportunities van and gear trailer at haven hill gate house

freedom work opportunities van and gear trailer at haven hill gate house

The Haven Hill gate house landscape's newly found beauty requires increased maintenance and dedication 

The Haven Hill gate house landscape's newly found beauty requires increased maintenance and dedication 

   The Mission of Freedom Work Opportunities is “Empowering adults with disabilities, through compassionate care, while providing FREEDOM to obtain WORK skills and OPPORTUNITIES to feel safe and be valued”. They are a fantastic group of people that enrich our community. The Friends of Highland Recreation Area support their activities and appreciate their services at Haven Hill. Watch the video about this fine organization HERE.

Please support Freed Work Opportunities at the Sparkies fundraiser on July 26.

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Haven Hill Summer Landscaping

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Below, the Haven Hill Carriage House rests peacefully in the dappled sunlight of a summer morning on the Hill in Highland State Recreation Area. Nearby, the Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) performed some summer landscaping on the Lodge site. Carriage House

The Haven Hill Lodge was once the home of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford family.

Haven Hill Lodge Site 07/25/10

The Friends group and a WWAM Team from Oakland County completed some routine summer landscaping maintenance on Haven Hill during one of their regularly scheduled work days. Below, Jerry McManus uses the tractor to clear some roadside growth from haven Hill Road.

McManus on the HillSee the FOHRA website at www.fohra.org for more information on how to volunteer.

The Friends of Highland recreation area also readying Haven Hill, the Edsel Ford Barn, and the Gate House for the summer Haven Hill Festival to occur on Saturday, August 28 from 10 am until 4 pm in Goose Meadow. Check out www.havenhillfestival.com for more info. The event will include a Model A car show, and a vintage base ball game. It is free to the public. State park vehicle fees apply.