In 2025, Genesee County Parks delivered experiences, improvements, and memorable moments that reached thousands of residents and visitors across our county and beyond. From record-setting holiday weekends at Crossroads Village to major restoration work to safeguard our public assets, 2025 is a reminder that our parks system in Genesee County is second to none!

Crossroads Village: Holiday Magic—and Momentum for What’s Next

Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad continued to be one of Genesee County’s signature destinations in 2025. Opening Night of Christmas at Crossroads welcomed more than 4,600 attendees, followed by an opening weekend that brought in over 7,600 visitors from all over the region. The Parks team also welcomed 3,383 attendees for Genesee County Day at Crossroads Village. And as we enjoyed this year’s milestones, our Parks staff also prepared for a major moment ahead: the 50th anniversary of Crossroads Village and the Huckleberry Railroad Bicentennial Project in 2026 that will coincide with America’s Semiquincentennial.

Preserving the Past: Major Investments in the Huckleberry Railroad

Last year was also a banner year for protecting one of our most beloved historic attractions. Genesee County Parks received a $1.3 million Charles Stewart Mott Foundation grant to restore Steam Engine 464, ensuring this piece of living history can be enjoyed by future generations. The team also completed a full rebuild of Huckleberry Railroad Engine 571, installed a new 15,000-gallon water tank for steam operations, and finished construction on Track 5, enhancing both safety and accessibility for railroad operations. These are the kinds of behind-the-scenes upgrades that make the magic possible, year after year.

For-Mar Nature Preserve: Learning, Conservation, and Community Engagement

At For-Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum, 2025 showcased what it looks like when environmental stewardship and education work hand in hand. Parks completed a major prescribed burn to help restore ecosystem health and implemented a licensed native plant growing operation, strengthening long-term conservation efforts right here in Genesee County. For-Mar also welcomed visitors from 40 states and countries, hosted a BioBlitz with 114 volunteers and more than 1,000 students, and served 281 campers through For-Mar Nature Day Camp. These programs don’t just create memories; they often instill in our young people a desire to be involved in conservation as a lifelong endeavor.

Parks that Serve: Cleaner Communities, Meals for Kids, and Inclusive Opportunities

Genesee County Parks also made a tangible difference in the everyday lives of residents across the county. Through Keep Genesee County Beautiful, Parks supported 667 cleanups powered by 3,806 volunteers, a clear reflection of local pride and community action. And in partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Parks helped serve 5,718 meals through the Meet Up and Eat Up program, supporting families and helping kids thrive when school is out. Parks also welcomed Project SEARCH interns at multiple locations in partnership with GISD, helping create meaningful workforce pathways for young adults.

Recreation for Everyone: ORV Events, Trails, and Fresh Visitor Updates

Outdoor recreation continued to grow in 2025, including at Mounds ORV Park, where Moundsgiving hosted more than 1,200 vehicles! This was an incredible turnout for a uniquely Genesee County tradition, in spite of freezing cold temperatures. Parks also introduced new Mounds ORV events, such as Free Veterans Week and Gear & Giveaways, expanded outreach, and installed new visitor message boards to help residents and guests stay informed. Across the system, improvements continued with trail work and volunteer events at Hogbacks, along with restoration efforts underway on the Historic Footbridge at Richfield County Park (below).

Celebrating the People Behind the Parks

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without dedicated public servants. In 2025, the Flint & Genesee Group honored Anthony Walter, Parks Operations Manager, with CTA of the Year, and the department celebrated Chief Park Horticulturist Brian VanPatten’s 25 years of service — milestones that reflect the expertise and pride behind every clean trail, every successful event, and every family memory made in our parks.

From big crowds and bold conservation projects to historic restorations and community-serving partnerships, 2025 was a year for the record books! The Genesee County Parks, Michigan’s largest park system, is something all residents can be proud of.