Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission recently adopted its 2013 operating budget of $22.9 million for its 13-park, 6,700-acre system.
The 13-park system provides 65 miles of trails, day-use parks, campgrounds, dog parks, waterparks, golf courses, nature centers and a county market serving 1.6 million visitors annually. The parks system opened to the public in 1966.
Top projects for the commission next year include construction of dog parks at Groveland Oaks County Park near Holly and Waterford Oaks County Park in Waterford Township.
Of this amount, $8.6 million comes from charges for services and $2.7 million from planned use of balance. The remaining will come from the system’s one-quarter millage ($11.3 million), income from investments ($262,000), and delinquent taxes from prior years ($30,000). The fiscal year 2013 budget year runs Oct. 1, 2012 through Sept. 30, 2013. The budget will now be forwarded to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for its approval, as part of a county-wide budget process, at its Sept. 20 meeting.
“Currently Oakland County Parks operates three dog parks — one each in Lyon Township, Orion Township and Madison Heights. The demand for off-leash facilities from dog owners is high,” Executive Officer Dan Stencil said.
“Our Groveland Oaks campers have consistently asked in surveys for a dog park so their pets can exercise off-leash while their owners camp. Nationally, there is a trend of people camping with their pets. This was an area where we could improve customer service and increase revenue through camping fees and daily or annual vehicle permits for day-use visitors.”
A new Capital Improvement Management Plan and 15-year forecast was created to identify active fiscal year projects and forecast future projects. For 2013, the parks system has identified $2 million in active projects for design and construction including:
n Continued construction of Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant funded trail projects at Lyon, Highland, Red and Rose Oaks county parks.
n Construction of a pavilion/retail vending space at Orion Oaks Dog Park.
n Installation/replacement of shade structures at Red Oaks Dog Park.
n Engineering of a new parking lot for Glen Oaks Golf Course.
n Replacement of a playground and construction of a bike rental equipment facility/waterslide ticket booth at Groveland Oaks County Park.
Construction projects that will be designed but not built in 2013 include: a boathouse and campground recreation pavilion for Addison Oaks County Park; a new water attraction at Waterford Oaks Waterpark; and a plan to repurpose an estate house at Independence Oaks-North.
Currently the parks system improves, maintains and manages more than 200 facilities, buildings and structures within its 6,700 acres. A new 15-year maintenance plan forecasts upkeep and improvements, including roofing, pavement repair, structural inspections, building heating and cooling systems, land management, painting and replacement of windows, doors, carpeting and flooring.
“Next year we will have $600,000 in active maintenance projects. Upkeep and improvement of existing facilities remains a consistently high priority,” Stencil said. “Our guests tell us in our biennial countywide recreation needs assessment surveys that they want clean, safe, well-maintained facilities.”
For 2013, planned maintenance projects include:
n Structural inspections of bridges, dams and towers at 13 parks.
n Design irrigation systems to replace aging equipment at Glen Oaks, White Lake Oaks and Springfield Oaks golf courses.
n Design electrical improvements to a section of the campground at Groveland Oaks County Park.
n Replacement of bleachers in the main event arena at Springfield Oaks County Park.
n Dock replacements at Independence Oaks County Park.
n Installation/replacement of shade structures at Red Oaks Waterpark.
n Improvements/repairs to the dam spillway at Springfield Oaks County Park in collaboration with the Charter Township of Springfield.
n Storm water improvements at Waterford Oaks County Park.
Stewardship projects for the coming year include continued wildlife surveys and management, invasive species removal, prescribed burns and habitat restoration.
Annual permits will remain at $30/Oakland County residents; $46/regular rate in 2013. The permits are good for unlimited entry to eight day-use parks, including three Dog Parks, free parking at Fourth of July Fireworks and the Oakland County Fair on Oakland County Parks Day. For the 11th year, Oakland County Parks Recreation and the Huron-Clinton Metroparks have teamed up to offer a combined pass valid at 19 park locations at a cost of $48. The owner of a $175,000 home pays about $21 annually to acquire, improve and maintain parks.
For more information on the 2013 budget, go to
www.destinationoakland.com.
— Supplied by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission
