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County committee backs partnership to add Clinton River acreage to park system, approve gap funding
Summary
The Liaison Committee recommended finance approval for an interlocal partnership to add roughly 128 acres (plus an adjacent 48-acre city-owned parcel) to the county park system to create Clinton River Oaks; the deal includes state/federal partner contributions and a $700,000 county grant for trail repairs.
Oakland County commissioners recommended that the board’s finance committee consider an interlocal partnership agreement that would add a large swath of riverfront land to the county park system and provide funding to repair a washed-out portion of the regional trail.
Commissioners said the project — branded Clinton River Oaks in discussion — would combine roughly 128 acres purchased from a private owner with an adjacent 48-acre parcel owned by the City of Rochester to create public parkland and trail access along the Clinton River. County presenters said the project would preserve high-quality natural space in a densely populated area and link to existing regional routes: the county noted this location is where two cross-state trails intersect.
Speakers said the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission is providing a $300,000 contribution toward the property purchase in order to facilitate an invasive species control project tied to fish-spawning and that the county would provide a $700,000 grant to the City of Rochester to fund restoration of a 120-foot washout on the Clinton River Trail. Presenters described the parcel as currently informal open land with some user-made trails; the county said it would add parking and restroom access and operate the site as part of the county park system.
The interlocal agreement under consideration covers a 19-year term for management and would require operations funding for park maintenance and improvements. Commissioners discussed terms and confirmed there would be no entry fees in keeping with the county millage commitment. One commissioner asked about a previously discussed $4 million funding item; presenters said they planned to amend the agreement language in finance to clarify terms and autonomy over management and that further finance discussion was scheduled.
The Liaison Committee voted 7-0 to recommend the interlocal partnership item be forwarded to the board’s finance committee.
The project backers said, if finalized, the acquisition and partnerships would bring roughly 280 acres into Oakland County parkland and increase the share of county residents within a 15-minute drive of a county park. Staff also emphasized ecological sensitivity at the site, including a heron rookery and forested wetlands. Additional historic markers and interpretation were discussed as likely components of future park improvements.
