Eleven Communities Get Oakland County Parks Grants
(Oakland County, Aug. 6, 2023)
Oakland County, MI – Eleven Oakland County communities have been awarded a total of $608,166 through the 2023 Oakland County Parks Community Grant Program. These grants will assist local municipalities with planning, preliminary engineering/design and construction costs for community park improvement and trail projects.
Communities receiving Community Grant funds in 2023 include:
- Beverly Hills (Village of) – $100,000 for Beverly Park Playground Restoration, including replacement of the more than 20-year-old playground with an inclusive play structure that incorporates shade and sensory play elements
- Birmingham (City of) – $25,000 for planning costs associated with trail improvements along the northernmost (Booth Park) section of the Rouge River Trail corridor linking the trail with downtown
- Commerce Township – $100,000 for Bicentennial Park renovations, including trail connector pathways, renovation of the parking lot, tennis and basketball courts, and access routes connecting features
- Farmington (City of) – $100,000 for Dinan Pocket Park to create a social gathering space in downtown Farmington that is universally accessible, low maintenance and environmentally friendly
- Ferndale (City of) – $64,000 for the Martin Road Park Revitalization Project, which will include expanding and updating playground equipment, renovating the picnic area and equipment, making the park ADA compliant and improving stormwater management with naturalized landscape
- Leonard (Village of) – $25,000 for design and engineering costs associated with Polly Ann Trail modernization and safety improvements along the 17-mile Oakland County sector of the Polly Ann Trail/Iron Belle Trail
- Madison Heights (City of) – $22,500 for basketball court replacement at Civic Center Park
- Oakland Township – $63,750 for the Gallagher Trail to construct a new trail that closes a gap in the existing network that connects with the Paint Creek Trail/Iron Belle Trail
- Orion Township – $7,916 for the Civic Center Sand Playground (Phase 1) which will repurpose existing sand volleyball court into accessible sand playground with sand and water tables and two E-Z Diggers (both standard and accessible)
- Royal Oak (City of) – $50,000 for Hamer Finch Wilkins Park, which commemorates early Black residents of the City, to create a reflective garden with landscaping, amenities, pathways and educational components
- Southfield (City of) – $50,000 for the Lahser Woods Park Improvement Project – Phase 1: Dog Park, which includes establishing the dog park by installing fencing, a fob system, landscaping and a parking lot
OCP Director Chris Ward said the grants will fund projects that directly benefit residents through increased accessibility, added recreation opportunities and investment in local neighborhoods.
“Partnering with local governments across Oakland County to improve and expand recreation opportunities for residents is a high priority for us,” he said. “This grant program is a great way to leverage limited tax dollars to make a big difference in these communities.”
“Improving access to parks and trails is a great investment in the health and wellbeing of our residents and communities,” Parks Chairman Gary R. McGillivray said. “Oakland County Parks is pleased to collaborate with our local municipalities to make these projects a reality.”
Funding for the grants was made possible through support from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and Oakland County voters, who approved an increased millage levy to support the Parks Commission. This initiative will be reviewed on an annual basis to determine grant funding availability and procedures.
OCP’s mission is to create and operate accessible, welcoming and sustainable parks and public spaces, provide recreational and educational programs and opportunities, preserve open space and steward the environment to help all people be healthier and build resilient, connected communities in Oakland County. For more information about the Community Grants, visit OaklandCountyParks.com.
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