Overview:

- A higher proportion of Michiganders experience SAD or winter mood changes than in many other parts of the country.
- “So often people are like ‘I don’t want to go outside’ or ‘It’s too cold out,’ but when there’s an event or program that’s motivating them to come out, it makes the experience better," says Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's Renee Rodriguez.
- At Rouge Park, it was 11 degrees at the annual Winterfest, but that didn't stop an estimated 150-200 participants from enjoying hot dogs, s’mores, sledding, and more in the region's largest urban park.

There’s no way around it: Detroit winters can be brutal. While the cold and snow are familiar, many residents never fully acclimate to the gloom and grey. 

For Michiganders in particular, cloudy skies are more than a minor nuisance. Lake-effect moisture collects over the Great Lakes throughout the winter, creating persistent clouds. As our winters warm and lakes see less ice coverage, additional evaporation may lead to even cloudier winters in the future. 

In January, Detroit receives only about nine to 10 hours of daylight. Health experts say this reduction in sunlight matters because it disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm — disregulating sleep, energy, focus, and mood, resulting in Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

A higher proportion of Michiganders experience SAD or winter mood changes than in many other parts of the country. Researchers at Michigan State say that while 3% of Americans experience SAD nationwide, that percentage could be as high as 40% for Michiganders. 

While complete avoidance of winter’s gloom isn’t possible in Detroit, there are evidence-based strategies to help residents cope, including regular outdoor activity during daylight hours, even in cold weather. Ample time outdoors helps to maintain routines that encourage physical activity and social connections that provide an emotional anchor when the weather discourages both. 

‘People need that warm hello’

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Program Coordinator Renee Rodriguez says the high rates of SAD locally inspired conservancy programs to entice more Detroiters outdoors in the cold months.

“One of the reasons we started the Winter at Valade program was because so many people were experiencing SAD … just feeling a little bluer in the winter, not socializing as much or moving their bodies,” Rodriguez said. 

“So often people are like ‘I don’t want to go outside’ or ‘It’s too cold out,’ but when there’s an event or program that’s motivating them to come out, it makes the experience better.” 

Lindsay Pielack, the executive director of Friends of Rouge Park, said the organization similarly looks to programming to fight against winter gloom. 

“At Rouge Park, we’re really thinking about our programming as a way to invite people to things that are interesting, curating relationships that make people energized and connected like in the summertime.” 

It was a biting 11 degrees at Rouge Park’s annual Winterfest Feb. 7, but that didn’t stop an estimated 150-200 participants from enjoying hot dogs, s’mores, sledding, and more in the region’s largest urban park.

Offering amenities strengthens the invitation, Pielack said. 

“The amenities in our parks are only as inviting as people feel them to be. I think sometimes people need that warm hello, a cup of hot chocolate, a great community feeling … that’s different from going to a sledding hill by yourself.” 

Detroit has over 300 parks to enjoy year-round, but only a small minority host winter programming. 

Rodriguez and Pielack both say the goal is for participants to see that winter can be enjoyed in Detroit’s parks beyond special events. 

“We wanted to try and educate people that it’s never too cold out if you dress warm enough, put on your gloves, hat and get outside,” the Riverfront Conservancy’s Rodriguez said. 

Rouge Park’s Pielack said Detroit is an incredible place to connect with nature. 

“We really need to do a better job of letting people know this is here for everybody year-round.”

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Avatar photo by Ian Solomon

Ian Solomon is Planet Detroit's Outdoors Reporter. An Emmy award-winning journalist and interdisciplinary artist, Ian explores the connections between outdoor recreation and environmental justice, with a focus on how Black and brown communities experience and access natural spaces. He is the founder of Amplify Outside, a Detroit-based outdoor organization, and host of "Ian Outside" on PBS Great Lakes Now. Ian holds a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Arizona State University and an MFA in photography from Cranbrook Academy of Art.