Recreation in Clawson

There are many Clawson activities to participate in year round. Just get out and do it! You’ll be glad you did.

City Bike Route

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or on a bicycle for the first time welcome to the wonderful world of bicycling in Clawson. You are among 75-80 million other Americans enjoying the nation’s most popular outdoor participation sport. Whether you ride the two-wheeler for fun, physical fitness, envirnmental concerns, transportation, economics, camaraderie, or just out to savor Clawson neighborhoods... travel the Clawson bike route again and again! Click here for a map.

Bikeway System Objectives

The bikeway system will serve as a recreational, educational, and motorless transportation system which will interconnect Parks and Recreation areas, historical sites, schools, and other areas of interest in Clawson; that the system be laid out on existing right-of-ways; that the system be as safe as possible with minimum travel on major roads and with as few crossings of major roads as possible (cross at full-time signals wherever possible).

Bicycling Safety Guidelines

When operating a bicycle on a public thoroughfare, you must ride as close to the right side of the roadway as possible. You must not ride on the left side facing traffic.
Remember to always wear a protective helmet.
Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided near a roadway, you must use such paths and must not use the roadway.
Ride single file. Do not ride two abreast.
When crossing a busy intersection, you must dismount and “walk” your bike across with pedestrian traffic.
You must use the proper hand signal when turning or stopping. In Michigan, that signal is the left arm extended straight out from the shoulder.
You must not operate a bicycle while carrying any package or article that prevents you from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
Your bicycle must be equipped with a brake that can make the wheels skid on a dry pavement. You must have a front white lamp and rear red reflector if you ride at night You must have a bell or other device that can be heard one hundred feet away (not a siren or whistle) if you ride on a public street.
You must ride on a permanent, regular seat attached to your bicycle. No bicycle can be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it was designed for.
Ride defnsively at all times and be alert to danger. Always give the right-of-way to motor vehicles and pedestrians. Always ride in a straight line. Do not weave in and out of traffic.

Swimming at Clawson High School

Through a cooperative agreement between the City of Clawson and the Clawson Board of Education, registration for all swim classes will take place at the Recreation Department.
Learn-to-swim classes and adult water aerobics classes are offered throughout the year.
Open swim is also available. You may purchase an Open Swim Pass for $20.00 ($10.00 seniors), good for 10 open swim visits. The passes are available at the high school pool only.

$3.00 Per Person
$1.00 Senior Citizens (55+)
Monday 6:30–8:15pm
Wednesday 7:30–8:30pm
Friday 6:30–8:30pm

Madison Heights Nature Center

The Clawson Parks and Recreation Department is proud to announce a cooperative agreement with the City of Madison Heights to enjoy nature activities and programs. Clawson residents are eligible to visit the Madison Heights Nature Center located at 30300 Hales, just off 13 Mile Road, across from the Oakland County Waterpark. Listed below are the center hours along with some special weekend activities. Call 248.585.0100 for details on the many other programs offered at the Nature Center. Visit the Nature Center website for more information.
The Nature Center is open for visitors and groups six days a week. The Center is closed on Mondays. The 1-1/3 miles of paved trails around the Nature Center, known as George W. Suarez Friendship Woods is open 7 days a week. Hours vary depending on the season. Hours are posted at the Hales Street entrance, as well as the Simonds School entrance. Displays change as the seasons change, so stop by and see what’s new. The Nature Center offers a wide variety of nature opportunities for peopole to take advantage of. Please stop by to explore, relax, and enjoy nature! It will leave you wanting more!

Nature Center Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Thursday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Updated Saturday, March 3, 2007