Detroit Zoo’s Erb Discovery Trails Opens with 7 Acres of Interactive Family Experiences
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 26, 2026)
Royal Oak, MI – Feeling the velvety softness of a stingray swimming across one’s fingertips, or the playful nudge of a goat begging to be brushed are undoubtedly memorable moments for kids and adults enjoying the Detroit Zoo’s new Erb Discovery Trails. These are just two of the many features of the new adventure space.
On Friday the Zoo held it’s official ribbon cutting for the Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails feature, which is now open to the public. Detroit Zoo Executive Director Hayley Murphy told the crowd “This space was created to help guests connect with animals and with nature and with one another. Families will find hands-on experiences inspired by wildlife and nature, playful trails, accessible, elevated walkways, sensory friendly spaces, outdoor learning areas and places to pause, gather and really simply enjoy being together in nature.”
Throughout the seven acre area there are several places for kids to just let loose and play, while also learning and connecting. The Treetop Crossing and Canopy Walk are perfect places to climb and explore, while the Senses Trail has sights, sounds, and textures. Here the mosaic wall by local artist Hubert Massey has many different faces to welcome guests of any age and background.
Nearby, the Little Sprouts Playground has foam shapes for building and animal-themed playscapes for climbing. And there is even the simple joy of a place to roll down an artificial grass hill.
Back near the Goat Yard is also a barn with donkeys, alpacas, and chickens. There families can also find the Farmers Market playground with a farming and produce theme, and the Garden Cove where nature and nutrition meet in a space for learning about plants.
And of course the Erb Discovery Trails also has Stingray Cove, where guests can pet, and even feed, stingrays and bamboo sharks.
In both the Goat Yard and the Stingray Cove, animals have freedom to interact as much or as little as they’d like, with people-free areas to head to if they need a break.
And for kids and adults that need a break, there’s an adorable little area with seating and a snack shack dubbed Trail Mix.
The space is named in honor of Fred and Barbara Erb, owners of Erb Lumber which began as a small business in Royal Oak that eventually grew into a regional enterprise that was the largest suppler of lumber in Michigan in the 70s and 80s. The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation was created to support efforts like Alzheimer’s research, Great Lakes stewardship, and sustainable business initiatives. Among the other projects is the Fred A. Erb Arboretum in Royal Oak.
Entrance to Erb Discovery Trails is limited to prevent over-crowding, and online reservations are recommended. Learn more at https://detroitzoo.org/discovery-trails/
