The Oakland County Executive Office, Board of Commissioners, Parks and Recreation Commission, and local communities are collaborating to transform local parks by investing more than $20 million in the Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation Investment Plan.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved utilizing $15 million of the county’s $244 million share of American Rescue Plan Act dollars while the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission is providing $5.2 million in matching funds.
“As a former Oakland County Commissioner and mayor of Ferndale, I have been passionate over the years about the need to beef up our parks system in the south end of the county,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. “These projects will add or improve 10 parks in the county’s south end, providing more equitable access to parks in our more densely populated areas, many of which are within walking distance of public transportation.”
The goals of the plan include revitalizing and enhancing parks located in or servicing residents of communities most impacted by the pandemic; improving physical and mental health, social connectivity, and quality of life of residents; and addressing barriers to equitable access and use of quality park and recreation opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities.
"Increasing access in our more populated areas to our county parks and recreation opportunities has long been a priority," said Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman David T. Woodward, who represents Royal Oak. "I'm proud this new parks plan applies an equity lens for the future of parks around the county, so everyone can better enjoy and experience the outdoors while achieving healthier outcomes for all."
Oakland County Parks and Recreation will make major improvements at select local parks and transition management responsibilities to Oakland County Parks and Recreation. Portions of Beech Woods Park in Southfield and Shepherd Park in Oak Park, Hawthorne Park in Pontiac, and Ambassador Park in Madison Heights will become the newest additions to the county parks system. Oakland County Parks will also partner with the Hazel Park Community Center to develop joint recreation programming facilities.
“The public turned to parks and trailways in record numbers during the pandemic to enjoy the positive impacts spending time outdoors can have on our physical and mental wellbeing,” Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Gary McGillivray said. “Oakland County Parks appreciates the support of Executive Coulter and the Commission for this major financial commitment towards improving recreation facilities in our communities. It will pay dividends for generations to come.”
Grant funding will also provide several local governments with support for local park and recreation facility improvements. Among the beneficiaries of these investments are Green Acres Park in Hazel Park, Pontiac municipal parks, Mack-Rowe Park in Royal Oak Township, Shepherd Park in Oak Park, and Beech Woods Park in Southfield, where officials unveiled the plan Wednesday during a news conference.
"Those outside and even inside the City of Southfield may not realize it, but we are home to several wonderful parks and nature preserves," said Oakland County Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles, who represents Southfield and Oak Park. "Through the use of these funds from the county, we demonstrate both a strong partnership between local governments and a commitment to maintaining and improving green spaces in our region, even in city settings."
"I'm glad that the county is partnering with Pontiac to provide funding for our parks," said Oakland County Commissioner Angela Powell, who represents Pontiac. "Residents around our city will now rely more on our outdoor spaces for fresh air and exercise, and it's important that we keep improving these areas for everyone."
Communities whose parks will benefit from these major investments are Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pontiac, Royal Oak Township, and Southfield. Examples of improvements include walking and hiking trails, universally accessible playgrounds, outdoor exercise and fitness equipment, athletic fields and courts, water and winter recreation facilities, natural resource restoration and preservation, and family and group gathering spaces.
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