DOG-FRIENDLY PARKS IN ROYAL OAK, MI

Royal Oak occupies 11.8 square miles in Oakland County, positioned 12 miles north of downtown Detroit. This city of 58,000 sits on relatively flat terrain at roughly 650 feet elevation, part of the Great Lakes lowland geography. Continental climate brings cold, snowy winters averaging around 25°F and warm, humid summers reaching the low 80s. The city's tree-lined streets follow a grid pattern, with the downtown commercial district along Main Street and Washington Avenue. Royal Oak developed as a streetcar suburb in the early 20th century, maintaining walkable neighborhood character.