Nankin Mills Nature Center

Nankin Mills Nature Center is a nature facility in Westland, Michigan, housed in a Greek Revival building with clapboard siding and a front porch facing Ann Arbor Trail. The grounds contain picnic shelters of different sizes, volleyball courts, and walking trails that wind through the natural area.

The site originated as a grist mill in the 19th century before Henry Ford purchased it in 1918 and converted it into a manufacturing facility. After World War II, the property was eventually transformed into a nature preserve and education center.

The facility offers environmental education programs that help visitors learn about local wildlife and natural habitats, with regular activities designed for families and children. These programs make ecological knowledge accessible to everyone in the community.

The facility sits along Ann Arbor Trail with easy access and offers outdoor activity options including picnic areas and volleyball courts. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear for the walking trails that traverse natural terrain.

The building itself is an architectural feature with its classical Greek Revival design that has survived multiple changes of purpose over the decades. This structure bridges the site's industrial past with its current role as an environmental education facility.

Location: Michigan

GPS coordinates: 42.34860,-83.36940

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:40