Upcoming Meeting

December 4, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. | Parks Commission Room - 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48328:

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Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission

The Parks Commission typically meets the first Wednesday of every month at 2:00 p.m.

Ebony Bagley
Chair
Executive Committee Member
Appointed 2019 

J. David VanderVeen
Vice Chair
Executive Committee Member
Appointed 1998

 Andrea LaFontaine
Secretary
Executive Committee Member
Appointed 2018

Yolanda Smith Charles
Commissioner
Executive Committee Member
Appointed 2021 

Lola Banks
Commissioner
Appointed 2024

Ann Erickson Gault
Commissioner
Appointed 2024

Christine Long
Commissioner
Appointed 2009

Jim Nash
Commissioner
Appointed 2013

Nancy Quarles
Commissioner
Appointed 2019

Shanell Weatherspoon
Commissioner
Appointed 2024

Chris Ward
Director - Oakland County Parks
Appointed 2021

Jim Dunleavy
Manager - Operations
Joined Parks staff in 1990

Melissa Prowse
Manager - Planning & Development
Joined Parks staff in 2006

Aaron Stepp
Manager - Internal Services
Joined Parks staff in 2011

Who We Are

The 10-member Parks Commission board is made up of six elected officials and four members of the public: Oakland County Executive or designee; Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner or designee; one member of the Road Commission for Oakland County; three members of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners; and four members of the public appointed by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

What We Do

Established in 1966 under Public Act 261 of 1965, the Parks Commission is responsible for planning, developing and operating parks and recreation facilities, making rules and regulations of the parks system, establishing a fee structure and approving budget expenditures. The Parks Commission is also responsible for recommending the acquisition of new parkland, the acceptance of grant funding, and the entrance into use agreements, all of which require the approval of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

Our mission is to create and operate accessible, welcoming and sustainable parks and public spaces, provide recreational and educational programs and opportunities, preserve open space and steward the environment to help all people be healthier and build resilient, connected communities in Oakland County.

How We Are Funded

Oakland County Parks, programs, services and facilities are made possible by millage funds supported by Oakland County residents. For a home or business valued at $200,000, the homeowner pays approximately $35/year to support Oakland County Parks and Recreation.

Our Core Values

Our core values are our highest priorities, deeply held beliefs and fundamental driving forces. They are the lenses through which we plan and evaluate our work as a parks and recreation agency. They are our cultural cornerstones.

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Ground all actions and decisions in equity and justice and provide parks and recreation services that feel safe and welcoming to everyone.
• Health and Wellness - Increase access to the spaces and experiences that promote physical, mental and social health for all.
• Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resources Stewardship - Plan, build and operate our parks and services in a sustainable manner while collaborating with local communities. Care for the natural environment, preserve land and open space for future generations, meet current recreation needs without compromising the future and build community resilience to climate change.
• Fiscal Responsibility and Organizational Excellence - Implement our mission with a robust, innovative and diverse parks and recreation organization and ground our decisions in sound fiscal policy.

Documents

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