Playgrounds are outdoor classrooms, allowing children to develop physical, emotional and cognitive skills. Playing with other children enhances kids’ social abilities and sense of teamwork. Playgrounds keep children active while providing an enjoyable park outing for families, play groups and individuals.

Playgrounds are often a child’s introduction to a park setting, making it essential to provide accessible facilities.

This summer, Oakland County Parks is offering a special new and inclusive playground experience. Visitors to the Woods Edge day-use area at Lyon Oaks County Park will find a universally accessible destination playground designed to promote play for children of all abilities.

The project is part of Oakland County Parks’ commitment to providing inclusive facilities.

The Lyon Oaks playground promotes both the physical advantages of outdoor recreation and social inclusion. The playground removes barriers to active play for children of all abilities and ensures that children both with and without disabilities have access to the proven benefits of outdoor recreation.

In addition, the playground at Lyon Oaks meets the requirements to be a National Demonstration Site (NDS) for both inclusive play and physical activity. This means survey data will be collected for inclusion in a national database that will be available for internal review and planning purposes that will shape future playground design by the Center for Outreach, Research and Education (CORE). 

The playground project, funded with a GameTime Statewide Funding Initiative grant that covered 50 percent of the cost of the play equipment, includes ramps and wide pathways as well as inclusive swings and other features. Outdated equipment was removed and the overall play area significantly expanded.

Oakland County Parks has 14 playgrounds, each with unique features, making it possible for play groups and families with children to enjoy a playground close to home or to create their own playground tour to try.

A map of Oakland County Parks playgrounds can be accessed here.

Oakland County Parks playgrounds include:

Addison Oaks County Park

• Campground Area B Playground*
• Day Use Playground*

Catalpa Oaks County Park

• Catalpa Playground

Groveland Oaks County Park

• Campground Section C Playground*
• Concession Playground*
• Pines Playground*

Independence Oaks County Park

• Hidden Springs Beach Playground*
• Moraine Knoll Playground*
• Pine Grove Playground*
• Twin Chimneys Play Structure*
• Waters Edge Playground*

Lyon Oaks County Park

• Woods Edge Playground*

Pontiac Oaks County Park

• Pontiac Playground

Waterford Oaks County Park

• Paradise Peninsula Playscape

* Indicates that Daily Park Pass or Annual Vehicle Permit required for entry.

For information on other events, visit OaklandCountyParks.com. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Oakland County offers residents quality, affordable housing in welcoming neighborhoods with access to parks and recreation, public transportation, and healthy food as part of the Livable Neighborhoods goal in our five-year road map. Follow the Oakland County Executive Office on Facebook and X for updates and visit our dashboard to see the progress being made to ensure Oakland County is All Ways, Moving Forward. Follow along with Oakland County on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and services year-round.