And remember…Visiting a dog park is a good idea, even if you’ve got a yard, because it gives your doggie the chance to socialize.

Anne Fracassa Memorial Dog Park | Pauline Street and 12 Mile Road, Warren

This one-acre park within Burdi Park is surrounded by a six-foot fence and features park benches, dog waste bags, and a water spigot. 

Lincoln Hill Dog Park | 14 Mile and Cranbrook Roads, Birmingham 

Note that this park, on the southeast edge of Lincoln Hills Golf Course, charges a fee ($50 for residents, $200 for non-residents) and requires proof that your dog is current on rabies vaccinations.

Maloof Statler Dog Park | Eight Mile Road and Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores

Open 365 days a year, this park is divided into areas for big and small dogs, and features park benches and water fountains.

Red Oaks Dog Park | 31353 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights

This 5.2-acre park features four fenced areas, including one for small dogs, as well as park benches, water stations, and dog waste bags.

Wayne County Dog Park | Hines Drive, west of Merriman Road, Westland

Located at Hawthorn Ridge Park, this enclosed dog park has sections for large and small dogs, drinking water, and agility equipment.

At Paragon, we love pets. Learn more about our partnership with the Michigan Humane Society HERE.
 

The post The Best Dog Parks In Detroit appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

Below are a dozen of our favorites, including several things that are free or very inexpensive. Go forth and explore!
 

• Pick blueberries at Adams Blueberry Farm (Hartford)
• Take a group tour specifically designed for families at the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit)
• Stargaze at the Cranbrook Institute of Science's Planetarium (Bloomfield Hills)
• Take in an old-timey baseball game at Greenfield Village (Dearborn)
• See the world’s largest collection of Tonka toys and trucks, and more at the Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum (Bay City)
• Experience hands-on learning with real animals and crops at the Critter Barn (Zeeland)
• Watch a 20-minute synchronized water and light show at the world's largest musical fountain of its kind (Grand Haven)
• View 2,500 marked trees and plants, as well as dozens of gardens and walkways, at the Leila Arboretum and Children's Garden (Battle Creek)
• See millions of LED lights adorn trees, buildings, and animal sculptures during Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo (Detroit)
• Get interactive with science at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (Ann Arbor)
• Go horseback riding on rescued and rehabilitated horses at Waterloo Recreation Area (Grass Lake)
• Watch cider being made at Yates Cider Mill (Rochester Hills)

What are your favorite kid-friendly things to do in Michigan? Let us know in the comments!

Photo: The Henry Ford

The post 12 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Michigan appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there!

• Spend a day at Martindale Beach at Kensington Metropark 
• Take a trip to the Detroit Zoo
• Go fishing at Huron Meadows Metropark
• Watch a movie at the Ford-Wyoming Drive In
• Hike at Holland Ponds Park
• Watch fireworks along the Detroit River
• Go on a group bicycle ride
• Watch a Tigers game at Comerica Park
• Play a game of mini golf at Paradise Park
• Visit the lighthouse at Tri Centennial State Park
• Hang out at the Michigan State Fair

Photo courtesy of Flickr

The post Detroit Summer Bucket List appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

The closest ones to Paragon properties are Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. Our properties are also near several beautiful Metroparks with lakes, where visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities.

Though Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are farther away, they make great vacation spots, too. Find your perfect lake with the help of the Pure Michigan guide here.

And make sure you have everything you need for your trip using this practical packing list:

Must-Haves

• Swimsuit
• Sunglasses
• Hat 
• Life jacket
• Floaty
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Lotion
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Cooler and ice
• Bottled water
• First aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Trash bag
• Flashlight and batteries
• Swiss army knife
• Driver’s license
• Insurance Card
• Boating registration and license (if applicable)
• Fishing supplies and license (if applicable)

Extras

• Book or magazine
• Tablet/laptop
• Headphones
• Wireless charger

The post What to Pack for a Lake Trip appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

That’s why we made this list of five scenic Detroit running trails:

Belle Isle 

The perimeter of this 2.5-mile, 982-acre island park in the Detroit River offers runners almost 6 miles to roam. Use the roads throughout the island’s interior to create a 10-mile or more route.

Clinton River Park Trail

This paved 4.5-mile trail winds along the east bank of its namesake river and passes through Jaycee Park and Heritage Park. Deer, turtles, and waterfowl are among the wildlife that call the area home.

Detroit RiverWalk 

For views of the Detroit river and the city skyline, this 3.5-mile route can’t be beat. Plus, the trail links Milliken State Park and several plazas and pocket parks. 

Hines Parkway

This parkway is made up of smaller parks and recreation areas along Hines Drive, a 17-mile road that follows the Rouge River from Dearborn to Northville. Runners are treated to views of the river, old mils, open fields, and ponds.

Kensington Metropark

This park has 4,481 acres of wooded, hilly terrain surrounding Kent Lake, which is known for beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Run the 8.5-mile paved trail around the lake or use the park’s fitness trail, complete with pull-up bars, an overhead ladder and a balance beam.

The post The Most Scenic Detroit Area Running Trails appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

Below are some apps that you and your kids might find equally interesting, engaging and useful in your day-to-day outdoor activities.

SkyView Free

Explore the Universe

“SkyView® Free brings stargazing to everyone, and it’s totally free! Simply point your iPhone, iPad, or iPod at the sky to identify stars, constellations, satellites, and more!”
Available in iTunes Store

Garden Pro HD

“The most powerful and useful gardening app enjoyed by thousands of users, now with over +9000 plants to include in the guide, with the most helpful information, descriptions, requirements and care to do, including tropical plants and orchids!!!”
Available in iTunes Store

Audubon Birds Pro

• “Identify 821 species with in-depth descriptions including information on appearance, habitat, behavior, and more…
• Over 3,200 images from the world-renown VIREO, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University’s world-wide collection of bird photography, Philadelphia.
• Eight hours of the most exceptional, highest quality bird sounds.
• Robust seasonal and migratory range maps.“

Available in iTunes Store

LeafSnap

“Leafsnap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species from photographs of their leaves.”
Available in iTunes Store

Bugs in the Garden

“Quickly ID common North American bugs in your garden. Includes realistic illustrations and photos of both adults and larva (caterpillars and grubs). Gives quick advice on management and damage assessment.”
Available in iTunes Store

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While we humans like to seek out waterparks when summertime gets a little too hot around the gills, I’m sure your dog is staring at you during the summer heat and thinking “What about me?”

Well, instead of giving your dog that clueless look of response. You can grab his leash, head to the car and go to a doggie water park.

Halliday’s Pet Resort & Day Care, in Canton, sports a doggie water park to help your best friend beat the heat.

“We are proud to announce the opening of our new water park for dogs!

You know how you can often become tired just watching kids play in a pool? Imagine the amount of energy your dog will burn playing in our water park complete with a built-in pool with a walk-in beach entrance and:

• Party Pools!
• A fire hydrant that shoots water in 4 directions
• A rain stick that sprays water in the air
• A splash pad to keep dogs’ nails safe
• Eight nozzles that spray water from the spray pad at random. This is a must see!

Just like kids, dogs have BIG fun running through the fresh water squirting out of the nozzles in the splashpad, through the “rain stick” and custom made “fire hydrant” that shoots water in 4 directions!

Let your dog feel like a puppy again.

Each dog is tested for temperament and social interaction with other pets prior to entering the Water Park and is grouped appropriately.”

For more information, check out their website:

http://hallidayspetresort.clickforward.com/services/dog-water-park.php

The post Doggie Water Park appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

Need to cool off a bit?
Instead of sticking your head in the freezer, how about taking the family to one of the many Michigan Waterparks for a little cool-down fun.

Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark

Frankenmuth

http://www.zehnders.com/waterpark/splashvillagewaterpark.htm

Waterford Oaks Waterpark

Waterford

http://www.destinationoakland.com/parksandtrails/waterparks/waterfordoaks/Pages/default.aspx

Kensington Metropark Splash-n-Blast

Milford

http://oaklandcountymoms.com/kensington-metropark-splash-n-blast-review-pics-24822/

Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel

Mt. Pleasant

http://www.soaringeaglewaterpark.com

Red Oaks Waterpark

Madison Heights

http://www.destinationoakland.com/parksandtrails/waterparks/redoaks/Pages/default.aspx

Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center

Huron Clinton Metroparks

http://www.michigan.org/property/turtle-cove-family-aquatic-center/

The post Cool off at Local Michigan Waterparks! appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

The Spirit of Detroit Challenge

5K, 10K and Kids Fun Run
http://www.escapetobelleisle.com

Other “Fun Run” race event that include Kids Runs:

Glow4Kids

SouthMoor Golf & Country Club, Burton Michigan

“Glow4Kids is an illuminated nighttime race that blends fitness & entertainment all to benefit the ZoieSky Foundation. Racers are encouraged to walk, run, stroll, or dance through the 5K course in the most elaborate and colorful outfits! Light up the night in style and get fit all at the same time. If a 5k is too much there will aslo be  a 1 mile fun run/walk, so get ready to get your GLOW ON!”

http://www.roadracerunner.com/re_173886/Glow4Kids.html

Great Amazing Race

Indian Springs Metropark

“Modeled after the popular television show “THE AMAZING RACE”, teams of two people (adult/adult, adult/kid or kid/kid) race against other teams around a one-mile cross country course completing a string of fun challenges speckled every 200 yards. Clue Cards provided at each station directs teams to perform a task that requires teamwork, before proceeding to the next challenge station. Teams strive to arrive at the finish line with the fastest overall time to be declared the winners. Waves begin every 10 minutes … kids teams, then adult teams.”

http://www.roadracerunner.com/re_162343/greatamazingraceDetroit1M5Kforadultskidsgradesk12.html

The post Escape to Belle Isle 5K, 10K and Kids Fun Run appeared first on Paragon Properties Company Blog.

The Dog Days of Summer!

“The “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines “dog days” as The period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere.

Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days”?

The Term dog days has an interesting origin. In ancient times, when the night sky was unobscured by artificial lights and smog different groups of peoples in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by “connecting the dots” of stars. The images drawn were dependent upon the culture: The Chinese saw different images than the Native Americans, who saw different pictures than the Europeans. These star pictures are now called constellations, and the constellations that are now mapped out in the sky come from our European ancestors.

They saw images of bears, (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins, (Gemini), a bull, (Taurus), and others, including dogs, (Canis Major and Canis Minor).

The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it. Look for it in the southern sky (viewed from northern latitudes) during January.

In the summer, however, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star.

The conjunction of Sirius with the sun varies somewhat with latitude. And the “precession of the equinoxes” (a gradual drifting of the constellations over time) means that the constellations today are not in exactly the same place in the sky as they were in ancient Rome. Today, dog days occur during the period between July 3 and August 11. Although it is certainly the warmest period of the summer, the heat is not due to the added radiation from a far-away star, regardless of its brightness. No, the heat of summer is a direct result of the earth’s tilt.”

Article courtesy of: http://www.wilstar.com/dog-days-of-summer/
Image courtesy of: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dog_Days_Of_Summer,_Featuring_Miss_Oreo.JPG

The Dog Days of Summer Can Be Dangerous For Your Pets!

““Many people enjoy the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with their furry friends, but take care to not get overheated,” Giedt said. “Just as you take precautions for yourself, do the same for your pets. Although you enjoy being outdoors, keep in mind heat and humidity can take a toll on people and animals.”

When a pet gets overheated it can cause hyperthermia, which can lead to heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Because dogs do not sweat like humans do, this can be extremely dangerous for an animal. Dogs rely on panting to cool themselves. Brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, English bulldogs and Persian cats, are specifically prone to problems during the summertime because their panting is not as effective.

Giedt said symptoms of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke in pets includes excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, bright red tongue and gums, drooling,  weakness, stupor or even collapse, as well as vomiting, bloody diarrhea and an elevated body temperature of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Because pets can get dehydrated very quickly, it is vital to ensure they have a continuous supply of fresh, cool water in a container that cannot be tipped over. If possible put ice cubes or small containers of ice in the pet’s water bowl every morning. This will help the water stay cool longer.

“Many people like to take their pets with them while they run errands. Unfortunately, this can be extremely dangerous when the weather is warm,” she said. “The inside of a vehicle will heat up to deadly temperatures very quickly, even if you park in the shade and leave the windows cracked.”

At home, shade is an absolute must for pets that live confined to the yard. Do not tether your animals because the leash or rope can become tangled and the animal could get stranded in the sun.

“Providing a shady and well-ventilated spot for outdoor pets will keep them cooler. You can even place some cold, wet towels in your pet’s sleeping area,” Giedt said. “If your pet sleeps in a dog house, wet towels are especially good because the temperature inside the house can get quite hot.”

If you have space for it, a small kiddie pool filled with clean water is another great option for keeping your pets cool in the hot summer months. Make sure to clean it out on a regular basis and refill with clean water.

Pet owners who are fitness-minded may enjoy jogging with their animals, but it is imperative to keep in mind over exertion in hot weather can easily cause the pet to overheat quickly, especially long hair breeds. Humid weather makes pets even more susceptible to heat exhaustion, even if the dog jogs with you every day in cooler weather and is in excellent shape.

“Not only do you need to keep the air temperature in mind, but also be mindful of asphalt and concrete temperatures,” Giedt said. “You’re wearing shoes to protect your feet while you jog or walk. The temperature of the surfaces on which you’re exercising can be extremely hot and cause burns to your pet’s paws.”

If you suspect your pet is suffering from a heat-related illness, emergency treatment includes sponging the animal’s neck and groin area with cool water till its body temperature is lowered. Contact your veterinarian immediately because the pet may require further treatment to prevent serious complications. Heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

Some pet owners believe clipping a dog’s hair coat will help pets stay cool during the summer months. While it can help, Giedt said some hair left on the dog serves as a natural protectant. If the hair is clipped too short, the skin can burn, just as human skin does.

“It’s always a good idea to keep your pet’s fur trimmed, if necessary, and this is especially true for animals with thick, heavy coats. Talk to your veterinarian about what kind of clip would be beneficial,” she said. “Your veterinarian is a great source of information about keeping your pet safe during the summer heat. Remember, your pet depends on you to provide the very best care possible.”

Article courtesy of: http://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/skiatook/news/communitynews/dog-days-of-summer-can-be-dangerous-for-your-pets/article_599c0164-ddfa-555e-a0b6-076d7ad982f9.html

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