Local scoop
Suburban wilderness, suburban backyard
Shelby Township calls its parks a suburban wilderness: nearly 1,200 acres of township parkland, more than 18 miles of nature trails, and Stony Creek Metropark on Main Park Road. Your dog would happily sniff every mile, then come home and leave a souvenir in the yard.
That part is our job. We scoop all three residential ZIP codes, 48315, 48316 and 48317, even when the mail says Utica.
Where Shelby dogs roam
Need off-leash time? Stony Creek Metropark has the Metroparks' first off-leash dog area, in the Oakgrove Picnic Area. Bring a Metroparks vehicle pass, and leash up on the way in and out. Township residents can also join Utica's Pioneer Park Dog Park on Hahn Street and pick up a key fob at Utica City Hall.
For leashed walks, River Bends Park on 22 Mile Road has hiking trails and a marked 5K trail, and Holland Ponds Park has backcountry trails past heron rookeries. The Macomb Orchard Trail starts at Dequindre and 24 Mile and heads north toward Richmond. In township parks, keep the leash at six feet or less, carry a bag, and pick up right away. During games, keep your pup at least 20 feet from the field.
Stony Creek Metropark off-leash dog area
Off-leash dog park
The Metroparks' first off-leash area, in the Oakgrove Picnic Area: a concrete entry bullpen, a pet water station, benches and waste stations. Leash on entering and leaving; vehicle pass required.
River Bends Park
Leashed dogs welcome
5700 22 Mile Road: hiking trails, a marked 5K trail, disc golf, a nature center and pet waste bags.
Holland Ponds Park
Leashed dogs welcome
Backcountry nature trails past heron rookeries. Township leash and pickup rules apply.
Macomb Orchard Trail
Leashed dogs welcome
The county's 24-mile paved rail trail starts at Dequindre and 24 Mile in Shelby Township. Pets on a 6-foot leash.
More dogs, more visits
Shelby Township covers about 34 square miles, and roughly three in four occupied homes are owner-occupied, per Census estimates.
Whatever your lot looks like, the schedule follows the pack. A single dog is often fine with a visit every other week. Two or more dogs, or a yard the kids live in all summer, usually calls for weekly or twice-a-week service. Yards up to an acre with up to four dogs get a price online in about 30 seconds; bigger lots or packs get a custom quote.
Two branches of the Clinton
Shelby Township drains to the Clinton River. The river's main branch flows through the township, and the Middle Branch crosses it heading east from Washington Township, all bound for Lake St. Clair.
The township's stormwater guidance is clear: rain that lands on roads, driveways and roofs runs through storm drains to streams, rivers and the lake without treatment, picking up pet waste along the way. Poop left in the yard can join that trip. Scooping on a schedule keeps it out.
The local rule: Off your property, pick up and dispose of it right away. In township parks: a leash of 6 feet or less, a bag in hand, and 20 feet of space from the field during games. (Shelby Township Code Sec. 6-86, Sec. 50-34(q))
