EXPLORE: A Wintertime Stroll Through Downtown Birmingham
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 13, 2022)
Birmingham, MI – Before the last big snow, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon in Downtown Birmingham, taking pictures of a community that was bustling even on a chilly day. Thoughtfully planned with buildings that mix residential, office, retail, and restaurants along with beautiful amenities, Birmingham has a lot of inspiration to be explored.
At the heart of the downtown is Shain Park, where Marshall Fredericks’ “Freedom of the Human Spirit” makes a photogenic centerpiece, with shiny marble spheres circling the majestic pair of people and two soaring swams, providing endless opportunities for interesting shots. There’s also a mid-century modern style concrete turtle that may spark nostalgia, and is a delight for the children that come to play in the kids area.
Along Maple and Old Woodward are the lovely windows of local businesses, including shops like Blue Mercury, Tender, Johnny Was, and a store that makes this reporter very happy to visit – Paper Source, selling stationary, journals, and pens. Among the restaurants that caught my eye this visit were Churchill’s, Touch of India, and Brooklyn Pizza with it’s mini State of Liberty and a door handle shaped like a slice of pizza.
There are offices and homes through the downtown as well, making for a nice mix of people enjoying the space.
Learn more about Downtown Birmingham at www.allinbirmingham.com.
Check out places to Explore in Oakland County and beyond in the Oakland County Times Explore Index. We are currently looking for a sponsor for our Explore! series. If you’d like to help us do more stories like this, please contact editor@oc115.com for more info. Or you can make a donation to our website through PayPal.
