Oak Park Woods at Shepherd Park Design Information

The Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation Investment Plan is a $20.2 million program aimed at enhancing park and recreation opportunities in Oakland County using $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds matched with an additional $5.2 million in funding from OCP. There are two of these projects in the works in Oak Park:

• Oak Park Woods at Shepherd Park
• Oak Park Event Hub - Farmers Market Structure

Oak Park Woods at Shepherd Park

Oak Park Woods at Shepherd Park is a 17-acre area located within David H. Shepherd Park in the City of Oak Park. The park is jointly operated by OCP and Oak Park and is owned by the City of Oak Park.

Summary Project Scope

Develop an open space gateway with accessible trails, seating and gathering areas, and install a nature-themed playground. Updates to existing pavilions and restroom are under consideration. OCP is committed to investing a minimum of $1.5 million from the Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation Investment Plan in Oak Park Woods at Shepherd Park.

• An Interlocal Partnership Agreement was signed on Aug. 8, 2023
• The Park Action Plan was signed on Jan. 30, 2024

Outreach and Engagement

• A survey was conducted from Sept. 13-Oct. 9, 2023
• Planning Open Houses were held on Sept. 26 and 27, 2023 and Oct. 5, 2023
• A Design Open House was held on July 17, 2024

Park Project – Status: In Process

OCP management began July 1, 2024, making Oak Park Woods at Shepherd Park the 17th park in the OCP system. OCP has contracted with Wade Trim for design and engineering services. The project is in the schematic design phase. Cost estimates generated through the design process will help identify which scope items will be funded by ARPA, which items will be funded by OCP capital improvement funds and which items are part of a larger master plan scope to be funded in the future.

Oak Park Event Hub - Farmers Market Structure

The Oak Park Event Hub will be located at 13600 Oak Park Blvd. in the City of Oak Park.

Summary Project Scope

The City of Oak Park was awarded a $500,000 grant to fund, in part, a four-season permanent Farmers Market building that will provide access to often subsidized, locally grown Michigan produce. The Farmers Market includes a commercial kitchen to provide cooking classes and nutrition education, and opportunities for hands-on experiences with preparing healthy foods.

• A Grant Agreement was signed on Aug. 8, 2023

Farmers Market – Status: In Process

Oak Park has received 50 percent of the grant funds. The city is working with their engineering and architecture firm, Neumann Smith, to complete the design of the Event Hub project. They expect to bid the work out this fall and begin construction either this fall or next spring. Construction is anticipated to be completed by December 2025.

Contact Information

• Donna Folland, Chief - Planning
  • 248-736-9087
  • follandd@oakgov.com