Oakland County Parks and Recreation Seeks Input on New 5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan

photo of wetlands at Independence Oaks North

We want your feedback! The new Oakland County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) 5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan is available online and OCPR is encouraging Oakland County residents to continue to share their feedback. Their plan will help build a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient future for OCPR by updating the strategic plan vision and mission by adding four core values to the 2023-2027 Recreation Plan.

The plan will guide OCPR staff and the Parks Commission in their efforts to provide high-quality recreational opportunities to Oakland County residents over the next five years. It follows the Guidelines for the Development of Community Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Plans provided by the Grants Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and will replace the previous 5-year plan, which expires on December 31, 2022.

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Brandon Township’s Crown Jewel

Brandon Township Community Park entrance sign

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

A common misconception exists that one must travel “up north” to enjoy a few hours of nature’s way or just escape life’s daily hustle and bustle. Not so. The splendor of exploring easily accessible nature is never far away; a fact I encounter over and over no matter where I am. Sometimes you just need to know where to go!

In early May, I shared my nature-embracing adventure at the Red Oaks Nature Center in Madison Heights. Today, I’m highlighting my visit from the middle of May to a lesser-known park with a “Living Tree Library” in northernmost Oakland County that’s located just shy of the Genesee County line.

The Brandon Township Community Park encompasses 33 acres and is managed by Brandon Township Parks and Recreation. Just like Red Oaks Nature Center, the park has an easily accessible paved trail. I look at it as the township’s crown jewel, a site hidden away in plain sight that’s open to the public free of charge.

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Oakland County Parks and Recreation 2022 Annual Vehicle Permits Now Available

Annual vehicle permit

Set yourself up for an adventurous year by purchasing an Oakland County Parks and Recreation 2022 annual vehicle permit.

Crunch some fall leaves on a hike, enjoy the sparkling snow on a fat tire bike ride, treat your pup to a day at a dog park or make friends on the playground. Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers something for every park guest during each season.

Explore the great outdoors and all the amenities the parks have to offer by purchasing a permit online, in-person, or by mail. Plus, they make the perfect gift for the nature lover in your life.

The park system provides free permits to Oakland County residents who are 62-years-old or older, active military, veterans and persons with permanent disabilities as a result of the passing of the 2020 millage.

Discounts are also available for eligible non-Oakland County residents, a second permit for another vehicle in the same household, and groups.

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Play Ball at Oakland County Dog Parks

Looking for a fun place to spend time with your canine kids? You’re in luck! The Oakland County area offers a variety of dog parks. You and your furry friend can have a great time at any one of the local dog parks playing, socializing, and exercising. View all the dog parks in Oakland County below:

List of Dog Parks in Oakland County

Whether you want to play ball at the Lyon Oaks Dog Park in Wixom, swim & doggie paddle at Orion Oaks Dog Park in Lake Orion, or take a stroll at William Grace Dog Park in Farmington Hills, there’s a park for you nearby.

Oakland County’s Parks and Recreation manages three dog parks, which are all open most of the year. See the list above for additional dog parks and details. Rain or shine, the parks are open and waiting to welcome you and your pup!


Do you know of any other dog parks in the Oakland County area? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter, contact us at socialmedia@oakgov.com, or leave a comment below.

Visit the Oakland County website, and follow us on FacebookTwitterInstagram and Pinterest for more news and fun year round. Join the conversation using #OaklandCounty.

Navigating Nature Centers in Oakland County

If you’d like to learn about the wilds surrounding your everyday life, you’ll love our map of nature centers in Oakland County. This interactive map, created by Oakland County’s award-winning GIS team, will lead you on a journey across the county, from center to center, helping you plan a trip to any one of these great locations to learn about the natural world. Sunshine or rain, summer or winter, these nature centers are there for you to help grow your pool of knowledge!

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Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. Photo credit: Jonathan Schechter

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