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Monday, 31 May, 2010 5:21 PM
Oakland
County Parks and Recreation seeks millage renewal
Photos
courtesy of Oakland County Parks and Recreation
PONTIAC,
Mich. -- Oakland County Parks and
Recreation reminds you to vote in the August 3, 2010 election.
The parks proposal is a renewal, not an increase. Most homeowners
will contribute approximately $21 per year. Voters have passed the
renewal each time since the park system was created in 1966.
Past millage funding has made possible the acquisition of several
new parks throughout the county, increased campsites at Addison
Oaks and Groveland Oaks, two dog parks, golf course improvements
and much more.
Plans for
the future include expansion of trails, increased initiatives to
protect wildlife and water resources, park system repairs and upgrades,
and electronic reservation/registration systems.
For more
information, visit www.destinationoakland.com/millageawareness
or call 1-888-OCPARKS.
Vote
August 3, 2010.
PROVIDING
WHAT YOU VALUE SINCE 1966
Oakland
County Parks and Recreation values what you value – family
relationships, good health, community connections, environmental
stewardship and economic stability.
On August
3, 2010, Oakland County voters will be asked to vote on the renewal
of a 10-year .2415 millage for the purpose of operating, maintaining,
improving and acquiring parks and recreation areas and facilities
in Oakland County, Michigan.
For a home
valued at $200,000, the homeowner currently pays less than $25 a
year to support the Oakland County Parks.
The Oakland County Parks started welcoming guests in 1966. The parks
system serves 1.5 million visitors annually.
The 13 Oakland
County Parks include 68 miles of trails, day-use parks, campgrounds,
nature centers, waterparks and golf courses.
Recent Oakland County Parks has received the results of this year's
community survey.
During the
past decade, Oakland County Parks has:
- Acquired
the 12th Oakland County Park, Catalpa Oaks, a 25-acre urban park
with soccer and baseball fields, in Southfield.
- Purchased
264-acre Highland Oaks, the 13th Oakland County Park.
- Created
the Oakland County Trails Advisory Council, an organization of
trail and greenway stakeholders.
- Added
new campsites and cabins at Addison Oaks.
- Created
off-leash dog parks at Orion and Lyon Oaks.
- Constructed
aquatic features at Red Oaks Waterpark including a river ride
and children’s water playground.
- Relocated
and reconstructed the historic 1883 Ellis Barn at Springfield
Oaks.
- Opened
1,043-acre Lyon Oaks with an 18-hole golf course/practice facility
and 800 acres of parkland for hiking trails, a nature center,
cricket and soccer fields, a picnic shelter, playscape and off-leash
dog park.
- Acquired
a commercial greenhouse operation for natural resources stewardship
initiatives at Waterford Oaks.
- Premiering
in 2010: three-acre off-leash dog park at Red Oaks in Madison
Heights and a universally accessible playground at Waterford Oaks.
Projects
planned for the next 10 years include:
- Expansion
of walking, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and ski trails.
- Increasing
conservation efforts to protect natural resources.
- Broadening
natural resources stewardship programs and education.
- Acquisition
of additional parklands for preservation for future generations.
- Allocation
of $1.5 million annually to improve parks infrastructure, upgrade
facilities, and increase universal accessibility.
- Continuation
of collaborative recreation planning assistance for local communities.
- Providing
web-based reservation and registration systems
- Instituting
recycling programs at the park.
Source:
Oakland County Parks & Recreation
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