Cherry Hill Nature Preserve -- owned by Superior Township
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This preserve is 160 acres of diverse terrain, including 
wetlands, meadow and woods.  It is on Cherry Hill Road just east 
(about half a mile) of Gale Road and east of the Glennborough 
Estates development on the north side of the road.  This is about 
a mile east of the Matthei Botanical Gardens.  The preserve is 
approximately one half mile square.  The property is marked with 
yellow "Nature Preserve" signs, but for additional landmarks:  
the property extends from the power lines just east of 
Glennborough Estates to the big red oak just west of the next 
driveway on the north side of Cherry Hill Road, and then north 
past the meadow into the woods.  The entrance and small parking 
area are well marked by a sign and gate.  There is an unmarked 
entrance 200+ yards (1/8 mile) east of the main entrance.  Look 
there for a narrow path at a "No dumping" sign.

The land is open to the public, and some paths have been created. 
(You may find a map in a map box at the main entrance.) A dirt 
parking lot, bark paths, and a boardwalk were planned in 1999 
and 2000.  There is a radio tower on the south side of Cherry 
Hill that can be used for an orientation landmark while walking 
on the property.  The bird population here is as diverse as the 
terrain, with a resident owl population as well as many wetland 
species, warblers, bluebirds, etc.  The land encompasses rolling 
hills, wetlands, part of Flemming Creek, and meadows.

Take Plymouth Road east from Ann Arbor, passing over U.S. 23.  
Continue and drive a quarter mile past Dixboro Road to Cherry Hill 
Road.  Turn right (south) and follow the curve to the left.  You 
will soon be headed east again.  Gale Road comes in as a "T" from 
your right.  The westernmost edge of Cherry Hill Nature Preserve is 
then half a mile ahead on your left.  The preserve continues for 
half a mile.  Be careful you don't drive right on by the small 
pull-off parking area at the entrance to the preserve. 

For those who use www.mapquest.com, use the address 6375 Cherry Hill 
Rd, Ypsilanti MI 48198.  The map and directions will take you right 
to the main entrance of the Cherry Hill Nature Preserve. [Jack Smiley]

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The Cherry Hill Nature Preserve was purchased by the Southeast 
Michigan Land Conservancy but is now owned by Superior Township.  
SMLC transferred the property to Superior Township, using a 
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, and still do the 
primary maintenance on the property for the Township.  Superior 
Township agreed to give SMLC a conservation easement as part of the 
transaction but hasn't done so as of September 2004. 

Superior Land Conservancy was established several years ago in 
Superior Township (just east of Ann Arbor), and has made some great 
strides, together with the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, in 
land/habitat preservation in the midst of tremendous pressure to 
develop.  Through April 1996 the SLC and SMLC made three land 
acquisitions (LeFurge Preserve, Springhill Nature Preserve, and 
Cherry Hill Preserve) in Superior Township.  They are working to 
preserve other natural areas within the Township.  Please consider 
becoming a member of the Superior Land Conservancy to help in this 
effort! 

For information about Superior Land Conservancy, call Bill Secrest 
(the Chairman of the SLC board) at (734) 482-5957, or e-mail 
Jan Berry at jeberry@umich.edu.  For information about the Southeast 
Michigan Land Conservancy, contact Jack Smiley, President, at 
Smileysmlc@aol.com.