Oakland County and Farmington Hills establish Heritage Oaks partnership for improved park access

In a significant move to enhance community access to recreational activities, the Oakland County Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee has approved a partnership with the Clinton Metropark Authority to provide free swim lessons targeted at children in Pontiac. This initiative comes in response to the closure of the Waterford Oaks wave pool this summer, with lessons set to take place at Kettering High School's pool starting in July.

The program aims to ensure that children in the area learn essential swimming skills, especially given Oakland County's abundance of lakes. Committee members expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its importance in promoting water safety among youth. "It is so critical and crucial that we have opportunities for children to learn how to swim," one member stated, emphasizing the program's relevance in the community.

In addition to the swim lessons, the committee discussed a new interlocal partnership with the city of Farmington Hills for the management of Heritage Park. This agreement will allow Oakland County Parks to operate and improve the park, which spans 211 acres and includes natural trails and a nature center. The county will pay $4 million to Farmington Hills to recognize the depreciated value of the park's assets, further solidifying the collaboration.

The partnership aims to expand recreational opportunities and improve accessibility for residents across the county. "These partnerships have really helped us close a lot of those gaps," said a county representative, noting the goal of providing county-funded parks within a 10-mile radius for 90% of residents.

As the committee moves forward with these initiatives, the focus remains on enhancing community engagement and ensuring that all residents have access to quality recreational facilities and programs.