Oakland County parks staff recommend studying Bicentennial Oaks as new site for county farmers market

Oakland County parks staff on Thursday outlined plans to modernize the Oakland County Farmers Market and recommended studying a move to Bicentennial Oaks Park, saying the county-owned site offers more space, parking and flexibility than the market’s current more-constrained location.

The presentation to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners emphasized vendor concerns about parking, unloading and visibility and noted a congressional earmark of $2,360,000 held at U.S. HUD that the county cannot draw down until it decides on a final project plan and location. Chris (parks staff presenter) told commissioners the market’s current building is “more than 70 years old” and “in dire need of some refreshing,” and that moving to a county‑owned site would allow the market to remain open while a new facility is built.

Parks staff said the market supports commerce between producers and consumers, currently lists 84 approved vendors and runs year‑round. Bridal Webley, identified in the presentation as assistant park supervisor and market manager, described structural problems with the existing building and…