Jan. 18, 2017
Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission elects 2017 officersThe Oakland County Parks & Recreation Commission elected 2017officers at its Jan. 11 meeting. A new commissioner, Hugh D. Crawford, joins the board for 2017.
Gerald A. Fisher from Clarkson will continue in the role of chairman. J. David VanderVeen from Clarkston was re-elected vice chairman. VanderVeen, director of Oakland County Central Services, serves as Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s representative on the commission. Ron Fowkes, chairman of the Road Commission of Oakland County from Milford, was elected secretary. All will serve in their roles through Dec. 31, 2017.
Also serving on the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission are:
• A. David Baumhart III from Bloomfield Hills• Hugh D. Crawford, Oakland County Commissioner from Novi• Robert E. Kostin from Clarkston• Christine Long, Oakland County Commissioner from Commerce Township• Gary R. McGillivray, Oakland County Commissioner from Madison Heights• Jim Nash, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner from Farmington Hills• David W. Potts from Birmingham
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 11 confirmed two-year Parks and Recreation Commission appointments for Crawford, Fisher, Long and McGillivray.
Crawford will replace John Scott of Waterford on the Parks Commission. Scott, who served as commission secretary, was first appointed to the commission in 2009. A county commissioner for 14 years, he has served as Personnel Appeal Board chairperson, member of the BOC Planning & Building Committee, Public Services Committee, Coordinating Zoning Committee as well as the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Crawford was first elected of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 2000. He was then elected to the Michigan House of Representative serving three terms from 2009-15. He was elected back to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners beginning January 2015. Prior to his election to the house, Crawford served on the Novi City Council for 15 years, as mayor pro tem for eight years. He was also a member of Novi Parks and Recreation Committee for 10 years, serving as chair for six years.
Hugh D. CrawfordA. David Baumhart III
David W. Potts
Robert E. Kostin Christine Long
Ron Fowkes
Jim NashGary R. McGillivray
J. David Vanderveen
OCP Accessibility projects win top state awards
Oakland County Parks has won two mParks’ (Michigan Recreation and Park Association) state-wide awards, one for OCP’s efforts to increase water and trail access for its parks visitor of all abilities and the other for the uniquely designed hay wagons which are accessible to people of all abilities. The awards will be presented Feb. 3 at the mParks annual conference.
The hay wagons were awarded the Golden Wrench award which recognizes resourceful staff members who have designed an inventive or resourceful cost or labor saving device. The new increased accessibility projects in the park were selected for mParks Park Design award.
The creation of the accessible hay wagons was a collective effort by the OCP team of Skilled Maintenance Mechanic Mike Couturier, Grounds Equipment Mechanic Walt Dean, Automobile Mechanic Steven Dendler, Recreation Program Supervisor Sandy Dorey, Maintenance Supervisor Colin Gibbs, Maintenance Supervisor Jen Myers and General Maintenance Mechanic Ken Stratton.
Unable to purchase such universally accessible wagons, the two new wagons were created using car trailers. The back door folds down becoming a ramp for wheelchair access and many seniors who find steps difficult. A hand rail gives added support to those walking up the ramp. As this was the first season for the wagons, additional enhancements are continuing to be made. A second handrail is planned for each wagon so that a caregiver walking a rider up the ramp will also
have a handrail for support.• Sand was mixed with paint on the ramp of the wagon to provide a
non-slick surface for caregivers providing assistance and those with walkers.
• Special latches were built to lock the wheelchairs in place. The two benches on either side are open on one end to allow someone in a wheelchair to transfer onto the bench if they prefer.
• Each wagon holds 20 people including two wheelchairs. The new wagons have been added to the parks system’s fleet, providing additional recreational opportunities for park visitors.
Recreation Program Supervisor Sandy Dorey has used the wagons for several events including adaptive and senior programs. “The seniors at the Buhl Estate historical tours at Addison Oaks County Park gave us many rave reviews,” she said. “Many of them had not been on a wagon ride in years. The design of the new wagons made it easy for them to walk right up the ramp. Most wagons have steps that are difficult to maneuver.”
Dorey said at a parks campground program, a grandparent was able to join the family for a ride because of the wagon’s accessibility.
The Park Design award was given to a collection of projects at Addison, Groveland and Independence that included Aamericans with Disabilties Act parking spaces and accessible routes constructed to ADA guidelines. These opened up to all such recreation opportunities such as kayaking, fishing, boating and nature hikes.
OCP staff members were successful in obtaining grants to offset the cost of these projects. A fishing dock and a kayak launch were added to Addison Oaks County Park with funding provided by a Recreation Passport grant. This Department of Natural Resources program funds projects that get more people outside more often to enjoy the many natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities available in Michigan. The fishing dock was completed in spring 2016 and the kayak launch previous fall.
Natural Resources Trust Fund Grants were used to construct a fishing dock at Groveland Oaks County Park and a kayak launch at Independence Oaks County Park. These grants provide monies for plans that further access to public outdoor recreation. The fishing dock was recently completed and the kayak launch was completed last fall.Staff managed and installed the projects. They created a boardwalk leading up to the docks and built a special foundation to compensate for the soft ground near the water.
This focus on providing more access to trails and water came as a result of a recent public survey that showed residents’ top priorities for parks was maintenance and trails. New universally accessible trails now lead to universally accessible recreation opportunities.
The newly created hay wagons now provide accessibility for all. Each wagon provides a ramp for those who find stairs difficult and special wheelchair accommodations.
A fishing dock and a kayak launch were added to Addison Oaks County Park with funding provided by Recreation Passport grant. The project was part of an overall accessibility plan to provide trail and water recreation for all.
Annual meeting reviews past, presents futureSeventy OCPR employees attending the Annual Staff Meeting Dec. 9 at Addison Oaks celebrated accomplishments of 2016 with a preview of the annual report and heard an overview of the proposed rebranding by Skidmore Studio. The afternoon session included a presentation from historical corps volunteer Carol Egbo who told the history of Addison Oaks and the Buhl Estate followed by tours of the estate and campground operation.
Santa and his elves (l-r) Chief of Park Facilities Maintenance and Development Mike Donnellon, Chief of Recreation Programs and Services Brandy Boyd, Recreation Program Supervisor John Haney and Chief Parks Operations and Maintenance – North District Jim Dunleavy led the raffle and auction at the annual Parks and Recreation Holiday Party, raising $406 for HAVEN.
As Oakland County’s only comprehensive program for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, HAVEN provides shelter, counseling, advocacy and educational programming to nearly 20,000 people each year. Also serving on the party committee were Office Assistant Katie Bontinen, Recreation Program Supervisor
Lynn Conover, Office Assistant Andrea Craft, Recreation Program Supervisor Sandy Dorey, Central Employee Records Coordinator Ariane Fountain, Parks Naturalist Sarah Hudson, Chief Parks Operations and Maintenance – South District Tom Hughes, Recreation Specialist Melissa Nawrocki, Office Assistant Shanna Shelby and Manager of Parks and Recreation Operations Sue Wells with help from Lifeguard Becca Dorey. The event was catered by MMD from Springfield Oaks.
The Communications and Marketing team summed up their year by wearing shirts to the annual meeting which declared “I survived the 50th”. Pictured here are (back row l-r)Technical Assistant Jane Peterson, Communications and Market Assistant Mary Zednik, Technical Assistant Pat Lindsay, Communications and Market Assistant Meagan Murphy, Supervisor – Communications and Marketing Desiree Stanfield, (front row) Graphic Artist Carol Shoemaker, Graphic Artist Garrett Ebbeling, Parks Helper Tara Perry and Technical Assistant Pat Brockway.
A makeup session is set for Thursday, Jan. 26, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Commission Room. The meeting is mandatory for full-time staff and optional but encouraged for part time. Register for the makeup session with Stephanie Mackey at [email protected] or 248-431-1268.
Holiday party nets gift for HAVEN
OCP makes holidays happy for abandoned animalsThank you to everyone who donated to the 3rd Annual Pet Foodraiser for the Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center. Our combined $157 purchased 255 pounds of dog and cat food which was dropped off December 21.
Special thanks to Parks Commissioner Robert Kostin and staff members Karen Anneberg, Valerie Bates, Patricia Brockway, Brandy Boyd, Mike Boyd, Sandy Breckenridge, Lynn Conover, Steve Dendler, Donna Folland, Ariane Fountain, Sue Greenlee, Karen Kohn, Pat Lindsay, Brian Menghini, Jen Myers, Tara Perry, Dan Stencil, Kathy Thomas, Barb Weishaar and Mary Zednik for your cash donations.
Thank youGenisys Credit UnionAt its Dec. 6 meeting, the Parks Commission recognized Genisys Credit Union for improving the quality of life for residents in Oakland County by creating recreational and educational opportunities that make Oakland County a unique and exciting place to live, work and play.
In 2016, Genisys Credit Union contributed $15,000 to fund several events at the County Farmers Market including MSU Extension 20-Program Series, Family Market Day, Destination Cruisin’ Car Show, Corn Roast, Trick or Treat and Holiday Shopping Nights. Genisys also supported the Oakland County Pet Vaccination clinic. Linda Zabik, Genisys Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility accepts the resolution from OCPRC Chairman Gerald A. Fisher (left) and OCP Executive Officer Dan Stencil.
Partnership saves OCP thousands of dollarsA partnership with Groveland Township Fire Department on a recent controlled burn at Groveland Oaks County Park saved OCP roughly $3,500.
The township fire department provided the burn free of charge in November. Normally, OCP contracts out the services rather than take on the liability expenses.
The controlled burns are done periodically in the parks to protect the environment. “The burns are an important part of both maintaining native plant communities and helping us control invasive plants,” Groundskeeper Kegan Schildberg said.
OCPR receives thank you on Facebook
Try Cardio Kickboxing at January’s Lunch ‘n’ Learn
OakFit’s Lunch ‘n’ Learn for January will introduce Cardio Kickboxing to participants. Kickboxing is a combination of boxing, martial arts and aerobics and provides a full-body workout that targets both improvements in cardiovascular endurance and muscular toning. This kickboxing class is designed to give the beginner a great cardio workout and introduce participants to basic fitness kickboxing moves. There will be two sessions held on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.
To register for Lunch ‘n’ Lunch programs, visit https://wellness.oakgov.com/programs/Pages/Lunch-n-Learn.aspx
3 Registration Options:
1. Register online at oakgov.com/wellness
2. Send your registration via inter-departmental mail to HR/Wellness
3. Fax your registration to (248) 452-9893
To enroll online go to oakgov.com/wellness and select the programs tab and then Lunch-n-Learn. Follow the instructions to register through the HR Self-Service Training Enrollment section. This class is Course Number WEL174 Sessions 0001/0002.
For questions, contact Dawn Hunt at [email protected] • (248) 858-5473
WANT TO LEARN KICKBOXING?This class is designed to give the beginner a great cardio workout and introduce you to basic fitness kickboxing moves.
boxing + martial arts + aerobics = kickboxingGet a full-body workout that targets cardiovascular endurance and muscular toning. Regularly performing kickboxing routines help to work all major muscle groups in a fun and energetic way, improves balance, coordination, flexibility and self-confidence.
Theresa Nadon has had martial arts training for over 30 years (including boxing and kickboxing) and has a passion for sharing what she’s learned with others. Theresa is an exercise instructor and teaches classes at Busy Bodies for Women in Waterford.
CARDIOkickboxingJANUARY 26, 2017
SESSION ONE11:30 am – 12:30 pm
SESSION TWO12:30 pm – 1:30 pmLimit 20 participants per sessionThis is an interactive class; dress for kickboxing!
Executive Office Building2100 Pontiac Lake Road, WaterfordEast Oakland Conference Center Room
The Baldwin Center’s mission is to feed, clothe, educate and empower the men, women and children of the Pontiac community. The Baldwin Center is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. The Baldwin Center has been serving neighbors since 1981 and currently offers more than 25 support programs that meet basic needs, offer assistance in a crisis, provide education and enrichment opportunities for adults and children, and serve as a safety net. The Center envision people of all ages and cultures sharing the belief that they can create and shape how they live and grow within the community.
Learn more at http://baldwincenter.org/blog/
