Livonia, Michigan - 2003 Community Profile

Dining

A variety of foods are available in the more than 200 restaurants located in Livonia. Quaint restaurants and cafés portion out steamed seafood, steaks, and homemade pastries and soups. National chains and award-winning independent restaurants provide a culinary extravaganza of choices, certain to suit the taste of every member of the family.

Lodging

Livonia has many hotel rooms to choose from when visiting for business or leisure travel. With 17 different properties, Livonia is able to provide everything from budget to full-service hotels. Livonia is one of the few communities where the Marriott Corp. has placed one of each of their properties.

Whether you prefer an extended suite or luxury room, comfortable accommodations are available for reasonable rates. And because of Livonia’s central metro location, it is easy to get to your business meeting, whether it be in Ann Arbor, Detroit or points north.

Meeting facilities to accommodate small gatherings or large assemblies are available for groups and corporate functions. Two of metro Detroit’s largest conference facilities are the Burton Manor and Laurel Manor, both of which can host large dinner events, trade shows and corporate meetings.

Recreation

Already rich in recreational resources and facilities, in 1999 the citizens of Livonia voted to approve an 8/10 of a mill increase to fund the construction of a new state-of-the art Community Recreation Center and make improvements to existing recreational facilities.

Opened in March 2003, the new $30-million community recreation center is equipped with all the latest bells and whistles. The 130,000-square-foot facility includes four gyms, a gymnastics center, an aerobics room and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

The complex also includes pools — a competitive pool and a warm-water lap and play pool with slides and toys. An indoor suspended track rings the facility, while an in-line skating rink, skateboard park and soccer fields are located outside.

Other components include a climbing wall, indoor child playroom, child watch and senior center, a party room, and, at the center of the complex, 15,000 square feet of common-area space with a generous lobby.

The Livonia Family YMCA has been a valued community resource since 1968. Its successful fund-raising events, including the annual Partners with Youth auction, help ensure no one is turned away from YMCA programs, membership and services because of inability to pay.

The building is 80,000 square feet, with a state-of-the-art Wellness Center, five indoor tennis courts, five outdoor tennis courts, two gymnasiums, an indoor pool, racquetball courts, free-weight room, YMCA ChildWatch babysitting and outdoor equipment. Summer and vacation day-camp and Indian Guides are among the branch’s most popular programs.

An Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant shower and locker area, family change rooms, and a new youth-sports fieldhouse are the latest additions to the Livonia Family YMCA branch facility.

The Livonia Branch has an average of 4,000 members and continues to grow. Families constitute 80 percent of the total membership. More than 300 individuals serve as volunteers.

The Livonia Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of athletic programs for adults and youths. Livonia is ranked second in Michigan in terms of the amount of land set aside for public use and ranks among the top 25 nationally.

Sports

The Livonia Hockey Association, a group of volunteer adults, oversees the league for children 6 to 18 years old. League play is offered for youth and adults.

Figure-skating lessons for ages 4 through adult are offered through Livonia Parks and Recreation. The city recently renovated its Eddie Edgar ice arena and added an additional ice rink to meet community needs for recreational skating and ice hockey.

The Eddie Edgar Arena can also be rented for arts and crafts shows, antique shows, bingo, ethnic festivals, trade shows, and so on. Locker rooms, snack bar and other support services are available.

There are two soccer leagues in the City of Livonia that are operated by volunteers. These groups handle the registration and scheduling, while the City of Livonia maintains and issues permits for the soccer fields. The Livonia Junior Athletic League offers youths ages 8 to 14 an opportunity to play organized baseball, basketball and football. Emphasis is placed on promoting sportsmanship, citizenship and the physical development of all youths. Non-competitive or “minor” divisions are organized for youths to participate in and enjoy team play. There are no tryouts and all youths are guaranteed playing time. Competitive or “major” teams are also in place. All youths must try out to participate, and there is no guarantee of playing time. Youths not selected to a major team will be placed on a minor team that has room.

Programs are also organized for basketball, inline skating and tennis (beginners, intermediate, advanced, strategies and techniques). Youth and adult tennis tournaments are held in July and August.

Golf Courses

With three quality courses to choose from, you’ll have an excellent chance to test your golfing skills in Livonia.

All courses are open seven days a week, April 1–November 15, weather permitting. Resident and non-resident rates are in force throughout the season. Special rates for senior citizens and youths are available for Livonia residents only. Various tournaments are held during the season.

Livonia-based businesses are entitled to pass cards that allow them to golf at any of the three city-owned courses for resident rates. You must obtain an application from the Livonia Parks and Recreation Department. All courses are open in the winter for cross-country skiing as conditions permit. There is a junior golf program offered at Idyl Wyld golf course starting each June.

Outdoor Activities

Nature-awareness programs are part of the Livonia fare as well. Programs include Autumn Guided Walks, 50-minute tours guided by a naturalist at Rotary Park; and the Full Moon Walk, in which you can enjoy the sights and sounds as you explore the realm of nature.

Livonia’s archery range features eight shooting lanes at various distances, an enclosed lane for use with broadheads, an elevated shooting platform, bow racks and arrow quivers, plenty of picnic tables, and convenient parking.

Fitness trails are featured at Bicentennial Park, Mies/Whitman Park and Rotary Park, while you will find in-line skating courts at Castle Gardens, Compton, Country Homes, Wilson Acres and Devon Aire. Nature preserve sites will be found at Grandview Park, Windridge Park, Bicentennial Park, Rotary Park and Blue Grass Park.

Hiking trails have been established to provide you an opportunity to walk into the more remote parts of Livonia with a minimum of inconvenience. Enjoy Livonia’s hidden treasures, such as Newburgh Lake. While walking on these trails you will gain an appreciation of the woods and learn why they are such a rare find in southeastern Michigan. You will be able to observe several stages of forest succession; wildlife footprints; many tree species; nesting areas; snow science; and ecological points of interest.

Clubs and Organizations

The community also offers many special-interest clubs and organizations. You’ll find something to satisfy nearly every interest.

The Sportsman’s Club offers various levels of rifle competition and a hunter-safety class.

Livonia Woodcarvers is open to all skill levels. Come socialize, carve, learn techniques or participate in the Woodcarver’s Show in August. The club meets every Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m., and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Civic Park Senior Center located at Five Mile and Farmington.

Bowling Leagues are programs for youths 18 and under. Teams are formed according to age. Three sessions are available: fall, winter and summer.

Roller Skating Classes are available for youths 5 and up at Riverside Arena. Classes for beginning, advanced and in-line skating are offered in the fall and winter.