Rochester Hills Residents Come Out to Share Ideas for Clinton River Oaks
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 5, 2026)
Rochester Hills, MI – Thanks to a collaboration between Oakland County Parks and the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills, a new park is in the works – Clinton River Oaks. And on Jan 29 residents packed Rochester Hills city council chambers to learn more and share ideas for the emerging space. The park runs along two and a half miles of the Clinton River, connecting Bloomer Park and the park across from Yates Cider Mill. Land from the two cities is making up the new park, which was announced in October.
The open house featured posters with maps of the park land for people to add suggestions to, and pictures of activities that people could vote on. Bicycle enthusiasts packed the meeting, leaving an abundance of colored dots on the option for increased bike trails.
Two Oakland County Commissioners attended the meeting – Brendan Johnson of Rochester Hills, and Ann Erickson Gault of Troy who serves on the Parks Commission. “We have to thank voters for approving the parks millage, giving us the ability to expand Oakland County Parks. This is the largest investment in adding new park land since the 60s and 70s.”
Gault added that historically Oakland County Parks have been in the northern and western parts of the county. “We’ve got several things in the works, including Turtle Woods in Troy, and Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. We want to make sure everyone in Oakland County has opportunities for recreation that are nearby.”
Officials from Rochester Hills were also on hand. Council members Diana Mannino and Marvie Neubauer are excited about Clinton River Oaks. “I love seeing the great public input,” Mannino said. “There are so many ideas, and the fact that Oakland County is taking on the burden of developing the park and maintaining it is important for our residents.”
“This is a way to preserve our natural resources,” added Neubauer. “Rochester Hills already has parks like Innovation Hills and Bloomer and we know that people love these spaces. I see people out on the bike trails, and using the parks instead of gym memberships.”
Ken Elwert is Rochester Hills Director of Parks and Natural Resources. “There’s going to be an expansion of trails into the new properties,” Elwert said. “Whenever we do surveys, the number one thing residents ask for is more trails.”
He shared that Bloomer Park has a history over 101 years old. “That land was given to the state, and transferred to us in the early 80s. Generations of families have been coming to this park,” he said.
Among the residents who came to share input was David Hill, who told Oakland County Times that he likes bicycling as well as kayaking, both of which will be part of Clinton River Oaks. “I use Bloomer and I’ve used Yates, but they’re just not connected. This is going to make a big difference.”
Learn more about Clinton River Oaks and share input at https://www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/clinton-river-oaks
