Why Locals Love the Porta Potty Graveyard

Shelby Township — If the best place to have some time to yourself is in the bathroom, the Porta Potty Graveyard in the woods in River Bends Park offers the greatest solace in the world.

This motley assortment of vintage commodes has received high praise from locals. There's certainly a mythology around the piles of plastic portables left near the verdant banks of the Clinton River.

Deep in the woods behind 22 Mile Road, just off the park’s frisbee golf course, is the collection of empty collectors. You can hear the rumblings of industrial business machinery and the busy road.

At some point, someone from Michigan Portable Toilets must have thought it was easier to dump these than dispose of them properly. The result has become somewhat of a cultural icon.

"This isn't just any tourist attraction. This is an opportunity," Oliver Hayward posted on Google Reviews about 10 months ago. "So many wonders await. You won't find any place like this anywhere else."

Another reviewer says it's "where broken dreams and questionable odors go to die" and that it’s "a true hidden gem for anyone who's ever wondered where porta potties spend their afterlife."

"The layout is chaotic yet poetic, with toppled-over porta potties forming abstract art installations that truly capture the essence of neglect," the reviewer continued. "Perfect for those who enjoy the eerie silence of a place where even flies hesitate to linger."

"It's definitely a favorite spot for wedding proposals," he concludes.

Other reviews mention the celebratory environment that lends itself to life’s biggest events.

“I really like to visit the graveyard for special events like birthdays and weddings because all the vibrant colors give it a festive atmosphere,” says Morgan Wallace in her four-star review. “There isn't anywhere else in Shelby Township with sights and smells quite like these.”

“Took off a star because there's no lifeguard on duty, but if the owner sees this I'm open to negotiation,” she explains.

Some reviewers noted the significance of the sanitation stations while touting the infrastructure surrounding them.

“Massive, accommodating parking lot, parks and daycare for the smaller children that are unable to fully appreciate the cultural significance of this monument,” says Linus Scherman. “We visited on a weekday. Not too busy, just a middle school field trip, and the odd wedding photo shoot.”

Love, like the air inside a well-used plastic outhouse on a summer day, has been known to ripen at the porta potty graveyard.

“As we strolled through the rows of retired knocked over toilets, dodging mosquitos, the soft glow of sunset cast a warm light on the scentinels, making them seem like guardians of our blossoming affection,” Eric Shoe writes.

“We shared a tender moment amidst the quiet dignity of the potties, their silence a reminder that sometimes the most profound connections are unspoken,” Shoe reminisces. “We laughed, shared our favorite potty stories, and discovered common ground.”

“It was a night to remember, and I'm so glad I took a chance on an amazing historical part of Shelby Township, Michigan,” Shoe wrote.

The history of the porta potty also may be of interest to visitors. Many youths may not be familiar with the old-fashioned blue-and-yellow color scheme of yesteryear.

“We have needed this in the area for years,” says Katie Harger, a local guide on Google Maps. “I have been saying it is about time we paid more attention to our local G.I. history and preserve the artifacts so the younger generation can learn.”

“I took my family here to celebrate G.I. history month and the kids loved it,” Harger writes. “They did honor our Groupon which made it more affordable.”

“The consequences of human digestion are all around us and sometimes we forget that,” Harger continues. “Yes, this history was in the soul of Shelby Township but now thanks to the hard work of preservationists it is also in our soil.”

In the meantime, there’s lots to appreciate: The warm air around the clumps of crappers is crisply aromatic. The overgrown woods nearby are littered with all sorts of industrial garbage.

There’s something undeniably mysterious deep within these obliviated baños near River Bends Park.