What Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority does

Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) is a Michigan public regional park authority operating the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system across five counties in Southeast Michigan (Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne). Founded in 1940 and headquartered in Brighton, MI, the authority operates 14 metroparks spanning nearly 25,000 acres with nearly 400 miles of trails, eight regulation golf courses plus a par-3, swim facilities, interpretive and farm centers, camping facilities, and beaches, serving over 7.3 million visitors annually. The 14th site, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden at Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park in Detroit (opened 2025), extends the system's geographic footprint into the City of Detroit for the first time in partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. The authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners, led by Director and CEO Amy McMillan, and operates with 101–250 employees and a wholly aligned nonprofit charitable arm, the Metroparks Foundation. There is no venture capital, private equity, or public ownership; the entity is funded through a property tax levy, user fees, and grants.

HCMA's core technology footprint is a utility-grade digital ecosystem rather than an AI- or ML-led platform. Operational technology includes online annual pass purchasing through the web1.myvscloud.com portal, online tee time reservations powered by GolfNow and TeeItUp at golf.metroparks.com, online event registration, Constant Contact for email marketing, and SurveyMonkey for visitor feedback. Specialized physical-technology deployments include Chronolog community science photo stations at six parks, a 2,735 sq ft rain garden at Lake Erie Metropark, 80 feet of naturalized shoreline at Stony Creek, a rooftop-solar pilot at Stony Creek's Eastwood Beach Paddleshack replacing 10+ daily generator hours, two EV charging stations, and conversion of three golf courses to electric cart fleets — operations tied to a 2024 Climate Action Plan.

HCMA's business model blends tax-based public funding with fee-for-service revenue. The primary revenue streams are daily vehicle entry fees and annual vehicle passes (subscription-style), golf greens fees, cart rentals, league play and event hosting across eight courses (transactional), event and facility rentals for weddings, corporate meetings, commercial filming and group camping (transactional), and grants and donations channeled largely through the Metroparks Foundation (e.g., CDC Foundation up to $50,039, Community Foundation for SE Michigan $77,320, EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding, EGLE Nonpoint Source Program grant dated August 1, 2025). Customer acquisition is direct-to-consumer via metroparks.com, email sign-up, an active social presence on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, plus community outreach through the Everyone in the Pool initiative, school-based programs, and partnerships with the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, MSU Cooperative Extension, Six Rivers Land Conservancy, and multiple K–12 districts.

Name

Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority

Legal name

Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority

Website

https://metroparks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority is a public regional park authority operating 14 metroparks across Southeast Michigan, spanning nearly 25,000 acres with 8 regulation golf courses plus a par-3, serving over 7.3 million annual visitors across five counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Parks and Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Water Parks (Outdoor/Indoor, Wave Pools & Slides) (THAJAEAB), Aquatic Playgrounds & Splash Pads (Spray Parks, Kids’ Water Play) (THAAABAE)

Keywords

• Regional park system
• Outdoor recreation services
• Public golf courses
• Environmental education programs
• Facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Park Entry and Annual Passes: The primary revenue stream is generated through daily vehicle entry fees and annual vehicle passes. The Metroparks sells Annual Passes for park entry, with daily passes available at per-vehicle rates.
2. Golf Operations: Eight golf courses generate revenue through greens fees, cart rentals, and golf event hosting. Tee time reservations are managed through an online booking system with pre-paid requirements on peak days. Golf operations also include league programs and hosting of golf events/outing
3. Event and Facility Rentals: Revenue is generated through facility rentals for weddings, gatherings, meetings, commercial filming, and group camping at various metropark venues.
4. Grants and Donations: The Metroparks secures grant funding from organizations including the CDC Foundation (up to $50,039), Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan ($77,320), EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and EGLE Nonpoint Source Program to fund swim lesson expansion, rain garden installation, and environmental programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority operates 14 metropolitan parks across nearly 25,000 acres in Southeast Michigan, delivering outdoor recreation, environmental education, and conservation services to over 7.3 million annual visitors. Core services include trail and beach access, eight regulation golf courses (plus one par-3), swim facilities and lessons, camping, interpretive and nature centers, farm centers, dog-friendly programs, event/wedding venues, and school-based environmental programming. Free community health initiatives such as the Everyone in the Pool water safety program extend the offering to underserved populations across five counties.

Product overview

Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority operates 14 metroparks across Southeast Michigan as a unified park system offering outdoor recreation, environmental education, and conservation programs. The core offering consists of park facilities including trails, beaches, campgrounds, and nature centers, complemented by specialized programs like the Everyone in the Pool water safety initiative and Climate Action Plan. Golf operations span 8 regulation courses plus a par-3 course. Educational programming includes interpretive centers, school field trips, and conservation education. The system serves over 7.3 million visitors annually across nearly 25,000 acres.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Metroparks System (14 Parks) A unified system of 14 metroparks spanning Southeast Michigan offering outdoor recreation, nature experiences, and environmental education across nearly 25,000 acres with nearly 400 miles of trails, serving over 7.3 million visitors annually.
• Metroparks Golf (8 Courses) Eight regulation public golf courses plus one par-3 course (Hudson Mills, Huron Meadows, Indian Springs, Kensington, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair Par 3, Stony Creek, and Willow) offering tee times, leagues, tournaments, and junior/senior discount pricing, bookable online through golf.metroparks.com.
• Swim Facilities (Pools, Splash Pads, Beaches) Multiple aquatic facilities including wave pools, family aquatic centers, splash pads, and beaches across the park system for recreational swimming and water-based activities.
• Everyone in the Pool Initiative Water safety and swim lesson initiative providing free swim lessons to children and adults in Southeast Michigan, delivered across 20 partner locations and supported by CDC Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit partnerships.
• Interpretive Centers & Nature Centers Educational facilities at various parks including the Environmental Discovery Center at Indian Springs and Nature Centers at Kensington, Stony Creek, Lake St. Clair, and Oakwoods providing environmental education programming.
• Camping Facilities Overnight camping options including family campouts, group camps, and rustic campgrounds at various metroparks, including Walnut Grove Campground at Lower Huron Metropark.
• MetroBarks Dog Program Dog-friendly events and programs including Paws in the Park guided hikes, Paws at the Pool, off-leash dog areas (including the new Lower Huron Metropark off-leash dog area opened June 2025), and Trail Challenge dog-friendly routes across all metroparks.
• Trail Challenge Program Park exploration program where participants complete designated challenge trails across multiple metroparks to earn prizes, with dog-friendly trail options at every park.
• School Programs & Field Trips Educational programming for schools including field trips, Interpretive Centers visits, Mobile Learning Centers, Scout Programs, and Teacher Workshops.
• Farm Centers Working farm experiences at Wolcott Farm Center and Kensington Farm Center offering agricultural education, maple sugaring programs, and farm animal encounters.
• Event & Wedding Venue Rentals Venues for gatherings, meetings, weddings, and commercial filming available across the metroparks with various capacity options and scenic settings, booked online through the Plan Your Event page.
• Metroparks Water Garden The Metroparks' 14th location, opened in 2025 within Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park in Detroit, featuring walking paths, tranquil seating areas, educational signage, open-air classrooms, and environmental programming focused on water quality testing and nature-based education.
• Climate Action Plan Formal climate initiative with five goals covering Education and Engagement, Natural Resources Preservation, Water Quality, Transportation, and Waste Management, including EV adoption (2 EVs for the Interpretive Department and 2 EV charging stations), electric golf cart fleets at 3 courses, and renewable energy pilots.
• Rain Garden Program Stormwater education and green infrastructure program including Master Rain Gardener Certification Courses, Rain Garden 101 sessions, and on-the-ground rain garden installations in equity-priority communities, supported by EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and EGLE Nonpoint Source Program grants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 7.3 million visitors annually across 14 parks
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YMCA of Metropolitan DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Metroparks partners with the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit for the Everyone in the Pool initiative, which provides free swim lessons and lifeguard training. The YMCA facilitates swim lessons at 6 locations (Macomb, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Wyandotte, Birmingham, Royal Oak) and collaborated on a pilot lifeguard training program that trained 6 new Metroparks lifeguards in 2024. The partnership was formalized under the Everyone in the Pool 5-year plan approved at end of 2023.
• Whitmore Lake Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024A new partner added in 2024 for the Everyone in the Pool initiative, Whitmore Lake Public Schools offers free in-school swim lessons to all first and second-graders at Whitmore Lake Elementary School (10 lessons over two weeks). In 2025, the program expanded to include third and fourth graders. Adult swim lessons are also held at Whitmore Lake High School Community Pool.
• Detroit Public Schools Community DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwim lessons facilitated by the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit – Detroit Swims program were incorporated into high school gym classes at East English Village Preparatory Academy. Swim lessons were also offered after school at South Lake High School. CDC Foundation grant funding supported partnerships at DPSCD and other schools.
• Detroit Riverfront ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Metroparks partnered with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to create the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden, the first Metroparks location within the city of Detroit. The Water Garden is located within Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park at 1801 W. Jefferson, Detroit. The partnership includes joint educational programming for students, with field trips offered at three sites along the Detroit River system.
• Michigan State University (MSU) Cooperative ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Metroparks collaborates with MSU Cooperative Extension to deliver the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program and Michigan Naturalist Program. These educational programs provide training for volunteers and natural-knowledge seekers, rotating across different counties (Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne) on alternating years.
• Six Rivers Land ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit land conservancy dedicated to protecting natural and agricultural lands in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, Genesee, and St. Clair counties. Six Rivers assisted the Metroparks with acquiring three parcels of land (50+ acres) in Black Creek Marsh adjacent to Lake St. Clair Metropark in 2013–2015. Also partnered to identify priority parcels for stormwater management in Wayne County in 2024, and discussed acquiring additions to Wolcott Mills Metropark.
• Washtenaw County Water ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Washtenaw County Water Resources to offer the five-week Master Rain Gardener course, teaching participants to design and build their own rain gardens.
• St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to hire graduates of the Detroit Stormwater Specialist Training (SWST) program to install residential rain gardens in equity communities within the Detroit and Rouge River watersheds.
• Michigan Natural Shoreline PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Metroparks collaborates with the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership to host a two-day in-person workshop leading to Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional (MCNSP) certification. Classes are held at Lake St. Clair Metropark (Thomas Welsh Activity Center) with field days at Stony Creek Metropark's Eastwood Beach for hands-on shoreline naturalization projects.
• Halima Afi Cassells (Detroit-based artist)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Detroit-based artist Halima Afi Cassells to create an eco-friendly sturgeon-inspired photo frame installation at Lake St. Clair Metropark, made using recycled and found materials sourced from the park. Community workshops were held where park guests helped construct the piece.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cleveland Metroparks: Regional park district serving Northeast Ohio with 18,000+ acres of reservations, golf courses, and education programs. Operates under an analogous statutory regional-park-authority model, making it the closest structural peer to HCMA.
• Three Rivers Park District: Minneapolis-area regional park district managing 27,000+ acres and 50+ miles of trails. Comparable scale, recreational programming breadth (golf, swimming, education), and public-authority funding model.
• Detroit Riverfront Conservancy: Detroit-based nonprofit operating the Detroit Riverfront including Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, where HCMA's new Water Garden is sited. Directly comparable mission (urban public recreation, waterway stewardship) and active strategic partner of HCMA.
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission: Regional authority providing parks and planning across Prince George's and Montgomery Counties in Maryland. Similar regional-authority governance, park acreage scale, and combination of recreation + environmental education programming.
• East Bay Regional Park District: California regional park district operating 73 parks across 126,000+ acres in the San Francisco Bay Area. Closest comparable in terms of regional-scale park operations, environmental programming, and significant visitor volumes.
• Forest Preserves of Cook County: Large urban-adjacent regional park system in the Chicago metro serving ~5M residents across 70,000+ acres. Comparable in mission, funding structure (property tax), and the breadth of recreation, conservation, and education programming.

Broad incumbents

• Indiana Dunes National Park (NPS): Adjacent Great Lakes shoreline park managed by the National Park Service. Comparable shoreline ecology and visitor programming, but federally operated and substantially broader in mandate than HCMA's regional focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MIMetroparks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HCMAparks
• Facebookfacebook.com/HCMetroparks
• Instagraminstagram.com/mimetroparks
• TikToktiktok.com/@mimetroparks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/huron-clinton-metropolitan-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority