Feedback sought for redesign of Red Oaks Park

MADISON HEIGHTS — Oakland County has grand plans for Red Oaks Park — once known as Ambassador Park, a space it leases from the city of Madison Heights — and residents will get to share their thoughts at an upcoming event there.

The 7-acre park, located at 600 E. 13 Mile Road, will host an open house from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. Many changes are planned there as part of its incorporation into the larger Red Oaks County Parks system — a 139-acre network that includes other Red Oaks-branded properties such as the nature center, water park, dog park and golf course.

Since Red Oaks Park is not located over the G.W. Kuhn Drain, the park will afford the county room for new infrastructure, including eco-friendly year-round restrooms. There will also be looping accessible pathways through pollinator-friendly native gardens and landscaping.

“One of the most exciting features … is the Gary McGillivray Play Garden, which will be a great place for multiple generations to come to the park and spend time together,” said Donna Folland, chief of planning for Oakland County Parks, via email. “It will feature several innovative play elements for both physical and imaginative play, with lots of shade and seating nearby, including a ‘front porch’ where you can hang out on the steps or porch swings. All ages and abilities will enjoy the looped accessible trails that have occasional ‘play pockets’ for kids to jump off the trail and play.”

The interlocal partnership between the city and county was signed in August 2023, and preliminary plans were signed in November 2023. If all goes as planned, the project will move out of its design phase this year, with construction slated for 2025 and 2026.

Funding for the redesign comes from the county’s Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation Investment Plan, a $20.2 million program that aims to enhance recreational park spaces throughout Oakland County. This includes $15 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, matched with an additional $5.2 million from Oakland County Parks. At least $1.5 million will go toward the Red Oaks Park project.

Oakland County Parks has contracted with Wade Trim for design and engineering services. Those who attend the open house Aug. 5 will find the project still in its schematic design phase, and their feedback will help determine the scope and cost of the project. In the end, some items will be paid for with ARPA funds, while others will be funded by the county.

Folland said that Oakland County Parks has enjoyed its partnership with Madison Heights since their first venture together in 2012, when the county began leasing the Red Oaks Nature Center from the city through an agreement.

That deal was brokered by the late Gary McGillivray, who at the time was a member of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. He is now the namesake of the new playscape planned for Red Oaks Park, and the city plans to honor him by renaming Twelve-Sherry Park to McGillivray Park.

“The city prides itself on providing quality recreation experiences for its residents, and we (at the county) are pleased to continue the synergy with these innovative improvements at the new Red Oaks Park,” Folland said.

Sean Fleming, a member of the Madison Heights City Council, said such partnerships have worked well for Madison Heights.

“We still have that same park space within our city, but we’re saving money since the county pays to maintain it, build it up and manage it,” he said. “And our residents get more of a good thing.”