Thelma G. Spencer Park

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Thelma G. Spencer Park is a city park owned and operated by the city of Rochester Hills, Michigan - a northern suburb on the outskirts of Metro Detroit. Its main attraction^{[citation needed]} is a 38-acre (150,000 m²) man-made lake with a lifeguarded beach, which complements an array of picnic facilities, full service concession stand, boat rental, volleyball courts, tennis courts, playground, horseshoe pits, soccer fields and walking/biking paths.

The waterfront[]

The lake features a lifeguarded swimming area, which is contained within roped boundaries. Like most old quarries, the lake depth drops off significantly a few yards from shore around the circumference of the lake to a fairly constant 20–23 foot depth throughout. The exception is the roped swim area which steeply slopes from the shore line to 11–14 feet deep approximately 25 yards (23 m) from shore. In addition and adjacent to the roped swim area, there is a fenced-in wading area. Spencer Park's lake water is spring-fed.

The park rents rowboats, paddleboats, paddleboards, and rowboats with an attached trolling motor.

The playground[]

The park features a modern play structure that includes multiple slides, climbing wall, several interactive play elements and swings. The playground surface is engineered wood fiber, providing a spongy, soft play surface.

History[]

Prior to becoming a park, the property was originally used as a quarry for the construction of a nearby freeway, M-59. Contrary to popular belief, the quarry was not used for gravel, but for sand. During the use of the quarry, it was discovered that the area was over a natural spring system and a lake would eventually develop. The quarry was abandoned and the land was purchased by a developer who had the land plotted out, ready to be developed as a subdivision. The property is still plotted into individual sites and this causes problems on occasion, when the park undergoes widespread development.

Thelma G. Spencer Park gets its name from a former Avon Township Clerk. Thelma Spencer was an active proponent of parks and was present at the dedication and grand opening in 1981. In 1984, Thelma G. Spencer Park became a Rochester Hills City Park as the Avon Township area continued to grow and became a city.

See also[]

• List of Rochester Hills Parks

External links[]

• City of Rochester Hills
• Thelma G. Spencer Park

Coordinates: 42°37′42″N 83°06′25″W / 42.62836°N 83.10695°W / 42.62836; -83.10695