The mission of Oakland County Parks is to provide recreational opportunities for all individuals in Oakland County.

We serve as an advocate to help eliminate attitudinal and architectural barriers which can restrict persons with disabilities. This reinforces the belief that persons with disabilities are people first who have the same desire to enjoy and be actively involved in life.

Oakland County Parks welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its wide range of recreational and leisure opportunities.  There are two CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) staff to educate all parks staff and volunteers in adaptations for general recreation programs and services, which enables everyone to participate. 

We continue our leadership in providing specific activities and programs exclusively for individuals with disabilities. Our partnerships with more than 30 non-profit agencies and disabled sports groups enable us to cooperatively provide unique recreation options.

For more information on how to participate in programs at the Oakland County Parks or to discuss Adaptive Recreation opportunities call Sandy Dorey at 248.858.7596 or email at doreys@oakgov.com.

Calendar of Events -- (Choose Adaptive Recreation option)

Adaptive Recreation Discounts

BlazeSports Team

Jr. Michigan Thunderbirds

Golf Carts for Individuals with Physical Disabilities

Adaptive Recreation Discounts

For individuals with permanent physical disabilities or cognitive impairments

Oakland County Parks provides recreational opportunities for all abilities. Please call us at 248.858.7596 so we will know how to serve you better.

Park entry:
Daily Entry Fee -- $4/vehicle, Monday through Friday at Addison Oaks, Groveland Oaks, Independence Oaks and Lyon Oaks
Annual Vehicle Pass -- $28/vehicle.  Valid anytime at same parks.

Camping
$2 discount/campsite at Addison Oaks and Groveland Oaks

Waterparks Admission:
$6/person at Red Oaks or Waterford Oaks Waterparks

Adaptive Recreation Discount Application (file size 25k)


You will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader if it is not already installed on your system.

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BlazeSports Team

Sponsored by Oakland County Parks, Waterford Parks & Recreation and Southfield Parks & Recreation

Together we provide a community based, year-round program. Oakland County Parks is a chapter in BlazeSports America which affiliated with the U.S. Disabled Athletes Fund.
Disability groups that are included:
Cerebral Palsy, SB, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and many more.

Competition begins at age 8 to adult. 

Type of sports offered:
Track events, swimming, field events, cycling, target shooting, powerlifting, table tennis, ambulatory soccer, cross country, indoor boccia, archery, bowling, and wheelchair soccer.

Competitions are held at the Michigan Victory Games, which are held at Michigan State University the third weekend in May. This is a three-day event where competition is held for all sports.

To contact team leaders for more info:

Sandy Dorey: 248.858.7596 or doreys@oakgov.com, Oakland County Parks

Lori Soma: 248.674.5441 or lsoma@twp.waterford.mi.us, Waterford Parks and Recreation

Derenda Howard:  248.858.1486, howardd@oakgov.com

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Jr. Michigan Thunderbirds

Sponsored by Oakland County Parks and the City of Southfield.

Wednesdays through April; 6:30 - 8 p.m. Beechwood Recreation Center, 2220 Beech Rd., Southfield.

Learn the basics of basketball, ball-handling and shooting. Anyone age 18 or younger who is attending high school and has a physical challenge is welcome to join. Girls under 14 and boys under 13 will be placed in the Prep Division. Those who are older will be placed in the Varsity Division. Regional Tournaments will be scheduled throughout the season. $25/person (scholarship available). For details call Claudia Brewer at 248.796.4673.

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Golf Carts for Individuals with Physical Disabilities

This cart provides individuals with spinal cord injuries, amputees and other physical impairments the ability to play golf. The cart features a swivel seat that pivots left and right for maximum activity. The large non-slip wide tires reduce the potential of damage to the fairways.

Carts are available at two Oakland County Parks golf courses:

Red Oaks:  248.541.5030
White Lake Oaks: 248.698.2700

Cost is equivalent to a 2-seat golf cart. Call the course 24 hours in advance to reserve.  Arrangements for adaptive golf carts at Glen Oaks and Springfield Oaks can be made by calling 248.858.7596, 48 hours in advance. 

White Lake Oaks hosts the annual Warren Orlick Inclusive Golf Outing in September.

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