David H. Shepherd Park
Rate this placeNearby: Rothstein Park Key Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
David H.
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Summary
Shepherd Park is a beautiful recreational area located in Oak Park, Michigan. The park was established in 1950 and covers an area of 57 acres. It is a popular destination for families, couples, and individuals who are looking to enjoy the outdoors in a peaceful and natural setting.
One of the main reasons to visit David H. Shepherd Park is the variety of activities available. The park features a playground, a baseball field, a basketball court, and a volleyball court, along with several picnic areas. The park also has a pond with a fishing dock, providing a serene spot for anglers to cast their lines.
Visitors to the park can also enjoy the many walking trails that wind through the woods and around the pond. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, and a variety of birds, making it a great place for nature lovers to explore.
Interesting facts about David H. Shepherd Park include that it was named after a former mayor of Oak Park, David H. Shepherd, who played a key role in the development of the park. Additionally, the park features a memorial tree grove dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The best time of year to visit David H. Shepherd Park is in the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the changing seasons and winter activities such as ice fishing and sledding.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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