With $850,000 in renovations planned for 2011, Oakland County Parks is
investing heavily in making Catalpa Oaks Park a jewel in the heart of
Southfield.
Renovations for this year include bringing utilities
to the park, which will allow Catalpa Oaks to construct a service
building with public restrooms and concessions. They will also build a
playground and path near Greenfield Road.
Excerpt:
Janet Jackson, Oakland County commissioner representing District 21, is
thrilled the plans are coming to fruition, albeit just the first phase
of them.
"For someone that is a resident of this part of the county, that's very
beneficial because we don't really have a real large parks facility on
that end of the county," she said. "With Catalpa Oaks in that area that
is very densely populated, it'll give those folks a very nice recreation
facility. People can get out in their neighborhood and be able to
recreate. Also, the county has a lot of wonderful programs that are a
draw -- concerts (and) events that are focused toward all age groups.
It's really a great facility to enjoy."
The county has long owned the property that is now Catalpa Oaks -- since
1964 -- but the city of Southfield leased it for nearly 30 years, until
2007, when the park was in danger of being sold to a developer.
Residents and local officials responded with overwhelming opposition,
and county leaders stepped in to assume operations and eventually
improve the park.
Find out more
here.
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