Oak Park Earns Two Parks and Recreation Excellence Awards
(Oak Park, March 4, 2025)
Oak Park, MI – Oak Park Recreation was awarded two mParks (Michigan Recreation and Park Association) awards this week for Parks and Recreation excellence at the annual conference in Traverse City, Michigan. The city was named the 2025 Park Design Award winner for the 9 Mile Redesign Project as it relates to recreation access and overall design, as well as named 2025 Innovative Recreation Program Award winner for the city’s ‘Power of Produce’ program hosted annually at the Oak Park Farmers Market.
“The City of Oak Park is currently experiencing a tremendous time of progress, growth and excitement when it comes to parks and recreational amenities, as well as continued citywide revitalization,” said Oak Park City Manager Erik Tungate. “Today’s statewide recognition is a further testament to the tangible momentum taking place in Oak Park. I know that I speak for the Mayor, Council and myself in expressing our sincere pride and appreciation to Director Stasiak and the entire recreation team for their hard work and excellence in the industry. Keep up the great work—because as you know—we are just getting started!”
The Oak Park Nine Mile Redesign Project is a multi-faceted project that promotes access to parks, public art, multi-modal transportation, sustainability, safe transportation for all and economic vitality. Through a holistic approach that prioritized accessible public funding mechanisms and design aspects rooted in key elements of public improvement projects, the resulting benefits are not only experienced by the residents and business owners of Oak Park, but by neighboring communities too. Oak Park is surrounded by the cities of Ferndale, Southfield, Detroit, Berkley, Pleasant Ridge and Huntington Woods. Nine Mile Road is a major thoroughfare for those traveling throughout Southeastern Michigan. This travel density has allowed people throughout the region to experience the benefits of the Nine Mile Redesign Project and to be inspired by it. The Nine Mile Redesign Project has brought both positive changes to the City of Oak Park, accessible outdoor recreation to a previously underserved area, and created a replicable redesign template for municipalities across the region.
The Power of Produce program is a free nutrition education program held at the Oak Park Farmers Market which works to improve access to healthy food, educate the public and increase use of available federal nutrition assistance. The program is run in conjunction with the Oak Park Farmers Market (approximately a 7-week program) and is targeted directly to some of our most vulnerable residents: seniors and children. Each track provides participants with unique opportunities to purchase fresh produce, engage in nutrition education and enjoy interactive activities. Every year, the program has attained full capacity and raving resident reviews. Planning is underway to refresh, enhance and rollout the program again in 2025.
“I would like thank my entire team for their creativity, dedication, and commitment to the city of Oak Park and its residents,” said Director of Recreation Laurie Stasiak. “Your collective passion and professionalism are apparent, and I am honored to not only receive this recognition but to work alongside all of you.”
In addition to receiving awards, Oak Park recreation staff participated and presented several educational sessions to share recreation best-practices and lessons learned within their industry. The mParks organization provides advocacy, resources, and professional development opportunities to a devoted and diverse membership of park and recreation agencies, professionals, vendors, and advocates. Learn more about mParks at www.mparks.org.
About the City of Oak Park
The City of Oak Park was founded in 1945 as a commuter community and remains an integral inner-ring suburb of Metro Detroit. Oak Park is known for its tight-knit neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, and wooded parks. Today, the city offers a quaint, yet vibrant atmosphere full of rich history, culture, diversity and opportunity. The city continues to build upon a strong tradition of attainable housing options, safe and stable neighborhoods, recreational amenities and prime proximity to Metropolitan Detroit. Oak Park has experienced a recent wave of reinvestment, new development, events, eateries and more. To learn more about all things Oak Park visit www.oakparkmi.gov and follow us on socials.
