Mission 26

Please do NOT extend urban archery to other parks. Parks need to be a place of peace, not a field for recreational killing masquerading as "conservation" or "management." That's a lie. If too many deer, then limited culls only after accurate counts by independent drone surveys. The last thing I want to see in any more of Oakland County Parks are tree stands and lethal weapons while out trying to enjoy nature. I don't visit those parks anymore because it is so disturbing.

The millage is only until 2047. That's a short time for such an ambitious expansion. What of monies after the millage expires? Problem is always the maintenance, not the initial capital investments. Plan for future without a millage?

Thank you Oakland County for the past CISMA/CHIPS programs to educate and share experience on invasive species removal and treatment. We hope to continue at Sorenson park.
Please consider Investing in accessibility, PFAs education and safety at the Holly Township beach.

I agree with the concept of reaching across municipal boundaries. The four townships in the Northwest corner of Oakland County, Holly Twp., Village of Holly, Rose Twp and Groveland Twp are blessed by beautiful natural areas. We could use help in exploring forming collaborative efforts of a regional Park system of services to benefit the residents of all these communities, with a possible future shared Community Center and programs for residents of all ages and abilities. Also, Sorensen Park in Holly has benefited with use of CISMA/Chips activity in educational efforts of tours led by Oakland County Park staff, sharing their expertise and knowledge with local park staff, invasive removal and treatment. We would like to have this service continue in the future to help us preserve the rare and special areas within our park. Thank you, Oakland County Parks, for past and future assistance!

As a resident of Holly Township and avid park user I would love to see additional county resources used in the Northwest part of the county. There is municipal land that is owned that could be used and serve the area and the county as a whole. I would also like CISMA to continue the great work they have done at Sorenson Park. Another great opportunity would be intermittent educational programming brought to the nature center in Holly Township.

I would love to see more serves in the northwest corner of Oakland County. The only park in Holly Township is an ORV park, which has very specific use that is not for everyone. I know the Township and Village own some land that they would love to see turned into a park (the Fish Lake River Park).

I was hoping to see if there are updates since the presentation

If the mission it to build more buildings and roads, why not purchase neighboring vacant land and buildings and build/re-build there? And leave the natural habitat in our Parks 'as is' for the wildlife and trees and plants. Destroying habitat is not progress.

Seeing earth moving equipment in this presentation does not bode well for keeping our Parks natural. Please don't pave over natural habitats. Adding more cement and asphalt and buildings is just re-creating the urban and suburban areas many of us already live in. We go to Parks to experience nature, not to just visit another city.

Please keep the Waterford Oaks BMX track!!! Our children love it there and we have found a common sport that we all love and enjoy at Waterford Oaks BMX! Maybe even improve the track and expand the BMX program there. A pump track and/or a skills development area to help new riders would be an awesome addition to Waterford Oaks BMX.

No where do we see mention of the existing BMX track. This track is the oldest in the nation and has been a focal point for multi generational memories. Would like to see this nationally ranked track improved and a pump track added. Cycling community loves this space and would like to stay local instead of traveling to Stockbridge or Lansing for pump track practice. Let’s add an option for cycling community to the options listed with earmarked budgets.

Note that these are already green spaces. While they are now under the umbrella of OCP, they do not add green spaces to Oakland County residents. If partnering with OCP saves these parks from being sold off, that is fantastic. If partnering is just for the purpose of populating scarce habitat with humanity, I would rather see OCP use its resources to buy land that would otherwise be developed.

Please do not sacrifice nature in order to teach it. Do not spend taxpayer dollars to pave paradises to build more parking lots and more buildings in order to teach nature. Please teach by example: Build habitat, not more buildings and more cement.

Parks are never "empty". They are habitat, which is the only thing that is truly scarce in Oakland County.

With elementary schools closing, playgrounds close. OCP should purchase land in various places to provide green space to children within walking distance. Places to explore with habitat. Places to birdwatch. Places to look for bugs and salamanders and butterflies and wildflowers

That is so true. You have articulated the need for green spaces so well. What we need is more green space. So I think the $20M that you are thinking of spending in Waterford oaks should be instead spent on land acquisition. That will increase the land available for natural systems and humans to thrive. Both need that more than they need an aerial bike trail.

My family has our family reunion at Shepherd every year!