Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


A soft opening is expected later this summer for a big project that will bring a comprehensive outdoor recreation center for veterans to Hamburg Township.

Freedom River is nestled on 94-acres off Winans Lake Road – with a half a mile along the Huron River and 1200-feet on Gill Lake – offering a tranquil, almost Up North feel.

From camping, activities and training facilities for veterans, their families and active service members of the U.S. military – Freedom River takes a complete community and outdoor recreation approach.

WHMI took a private tour Monday afternoon with Owners Jeff and Janna Yeakay – who are very excited about all of the progress made and what’s to come.

Jeff is President of the non-profit's Board of Directors and a U.S. Army Veteran, while Janna serves as Executive Director, and both are extremely passionate about the project and cause.

The goal is to provide outdoor recreation for veterans and their families while building strong communities so that they have people to reach out to when they are not at Freedom River.

After serving in the Army, Jeff went to school and then started working at Ann Arbor V.A. Hospital on physical therapy. He said he saw firsthand what veterans are going through and the struggles they have – noting many spend weeks and months, if not years, at the VA hospital.

After 20 years of volunteering and talking to veterans, Jeff said Freedom River is something they want and have been asking for – a place to just get outdoors and enjoy some activities like fishing or camping. Being only 15 minutes north of Ann Arbor, Jeff said there’s no better place for them to get some outdoor recreation.

Lots of infrastructure and earthmoving work has been done, along with trails and a ton of amenities added. An original farmhouse on the property built in 1858 has been completely renovated and will serve as a place for veterans and their families to gather and connect.

The Yeakey’s said they came up with 32 outdoor recreation amenities as well as winding trails that catch every part of the property. There are currently four pickleball courts, two basketball courts, two sand volleyball courts, softball and soccer fields, fishing, hiking, boating, canoeing, and ADA-complaint kayak launches. There will also be camps and different programs and activities for kids and people to connect with each other.

Jeff noted all of that progress has been made since their groundbreaking on June 20th of last year. He said it was 94-acres of raw fields and woods and in less than one year, they’ve been able to install all of the infrastructure, roads, ball fields and courts, picnic shelters, community fire pits, and restored the historic farmhouse.

It’s designed to be a very secure location and a safe place, with ample security measures. Everything is offered free of charge to veterans, both general and honorable discharge.

Jeff said they don’t want to have any veteran not come because of cost so it’s free for veterans and their families. Should a veteran choose to pay for their time, then that just pays it forward for another veteran family that can’t afford it.

The next big phase of the project will be a Wellness Center overlooking the Huron River, which the Yeakey’s are hoping to secure grant funding for. State Representative Jennifer Conlin submitted the project for a $3 (m) appropriation for Fiscal Year 2026.

The Wellness Center takes a holistic approach and is a big part of the project. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide comprehensive wellness services and focus on holistic healing, suicide prevention and mental health support through evidence-based programs, peer mentorship, and therapeutic activities in a nature-rich setting.

The Center will be located in wooded area at a beautiful spot overlooking the Huron River with a walkout and deck, as well as lots of windows to “bring the outside, inside”. While outdoor recreation and activities are seasonal, the center will be open to help veterans all year-long.

Janna said some features include a therapy kitchen for cooking, which aids with PTSD and anxiety; a multi-purpose room for veterans to be able to take training and classes; counseling; red light therapy; music therapy; massage therapy; and acupuncture.

From his experience volunteering at the V.A. Hospital; Jeff cited the amount of medication most veterans are on for things like PTSD, anxiety, pain, stress, anti-psychotics – “you name it, and a lot of times it’s more than ten medications”. He stressed they want to get veterans off the meds and outside in the fresh air with access to wellness activities and things that don’t involve drugs.

Suicide awareness is also a big part of it, with Jeff having lost four battle buddies in the last couple of years. Both repeatedly referenced the importance of community and the desire to create a safe place for people who have had similar experiences and things in common to come and build connections and “just leave all the junk behind”.

Freedom River is slated to open at the end of the summer in late August or early September and will initially be open for all daytime activities. Next summer, the goal is to be open for RV and tent camping.

As they’ve grown, the Yeakey’s said they’ve been able to reach out to a lot more veterans and their families. Volunteers are always being sought, whether for random projects and tasks or pulling weeds. Especially once they’re open, Janna said sometimes people might just need someone to listen to them.

Janna noted that as they’ve been building, they’ve been fueled by volunteers - many of whom are veterans – and it wasn’t planned that way but just happened organically. She said it’s fostered a sense of pride for many and it’s been really cool to see their transformation and how they’ve gained purpose from the project in creating something for other veterans.

Janna said they really just want to show their respect and honor veterans, and they want Freedom River to be a beautiful, welcoming place for them.

Meanwhile, there’s an opportunity for community members to come check out the project via a run/walk event this weekend.

This Saturday is the 3rd Annual H.E.R.O Freedom Run benefitting the non-profit. It features a 1-mile fun run and 5k run/walk on the cross-country course at the site – which is also down the road from the Hamburg Family Fun Fest. Janna said the event has been held at Manly Bennett Park for the last couple of years due to construction but they now have a chance for the community to come see everything that’s been going on.

Registration is open now, but can also be done on site the day-of. After the race is over, Janna said they’ll be hosting a Flag Day ceremony and will have everyone gather around a 60-foot flag pole where they’ll be raising a 20-foot by 30-foot flag in celebration.

Links to the run sign-up as well as the Freedom River website are provided, which can access the non-profit’s Facebook page with updates.

Additional photos can be accessed on the WHMI News Facebook page.