4th Annual Potluck Picnic at Independence Lake County Park

We will spend the day at Independence Lake County Park. We will be there from 11am-7pm, so you can join us anytime. Whether you want to stay the whole day for picnicking, games, and/or swimming, or if you just want to come for part of the day, you are welcome.

Driving to the park: US-23 to Exit 50-Six Mile. Follow park signs, west on Six Mile, left on Whitmore Lake, right on Kearney, left on Jennings.

Park Entry: $6 per vehicle parking fee if you are a Washtenaw County resident and $10 for nonresidents. Drive to the far north side of park complex, following signs for the beach. There is plenty of parking. The main building has running water restroom, concession, information and first aid.

We will be in Independence Woods pavilion. From the parking lot, you will walk past the main beach building. The pavilion is near the volleyball courts and the fishing pier.

There are over 20 grills throughout the immediate beach area so we can definitely grill. The beach is small but can host large numbers of people and has a running water wash off station. Be sure to bring your swimsuit and towel!

There are paths on either end of the picnic areas leading to short trails for nature hiking. Outhouses near the picnic areas are typically clean, but smelly. They have hand sanitizer available, but no paper towels.

There are open fields for games, volleyball nets, playground, and a sand pit. We will have lots of options for activities and we hope someone can bring croquet, horseshoes, corn hole, frisbee, and/or others. Disc golf is $2.

If you are planning to attend, please plan to bring a dish to share and post in the comments below what you will be bringing. I will bring paper towels, napkins, plates, plastic cups and silverware. If you might be willing to help grill or lead a game, please also note that in the chat.

For the food and supplies, it will be best to know ahead of time what everyone is brining, but if you want to decide about games when you get to the park, that is fine.

Pease be mindful that our events are always autistic friendly spaces that follow autistic cultural norms, so all allies are expected to act in neurotypical affirming ways. Our members understand that allies are still learning and don't expect you to be an expert on autistic allyship. If you are uncertain about something, it's okay to ask someone. Most of our members will be happy to coach you.

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll see you July 12!