County recommends purchase of 17-acre parcel on Walton Boulevard to expand Pontiac Oaks park; Ducks Unlimited grant covers cost

Oakland County's Facilities Management and Parks & Recreation staff recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve a purchase agreement for a 17-acre parcel on Walton Boulevard in Pontiac to expand Pontiac Oaks park. The Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee voted to recommend the acquisition to the full board.

Paul Zaccos, a property specialist in Facilities Management, and Melissa Cross, manager of planning and development for Parks and Recreation, told commissioners the county first received authorization to negotiate the purchase in a prior meeting and subsequently reached an agreement with the seller at $399,510. Zaccos said the county hired an appraiser who valued the parcel at $350,000; the seller had previously listed the property for higher amounts and had reduced the asking price over time.

"I'm Paul Zaccos. I'm a property specialist," Zaccos said when introducing himself and the acquisition process. Cross said the county has secured a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources through Ducks Unlimited for $425,000 that will cover the full acquisition cost. "We do have a grant from the DNR through Ducks Unlimited for $425,000 that's covering the full cost of this acquisition," Cross said.

Parks staff described ecological and recreational reasons for the purchase: the parcel provides contiguous shoreline around Krieger (referred to as Kruger/Silver in discussion) Lake, which would simplify invasive species management (phragmites and invasive cattail were mentioned) and potentially allow planning for trails and public access. Staff said the county is also negotiating a long-term lease with the Pontiac School District for an adjacent small triangular parcel the district owns; adding that acreage would further consolidate parkland and improve management around the lake.

Commissioners asked about site conditions, possible access and parking, and the wetland nature of portions of the parcel. Staff said the county will conduct due diligence—including a Phase I environmental assessment, survey, and title review—under a 60-day due-diligence period in the purchase agreement. Zaccos said Parks has discussed shoreline management and potential trail connections and noted a prior owner had considered development options, but the county secured the parcel to preserve green space within an urban setting.

Commissioner Taylor moved the recommendation and Commissioner Weipert supported it. The committee chair then called the vote and announced the motion carried; the committee will forward the purchase agreement to the Board of Commissioners for final approval.

Staff noted the acquisition is intended to improve natural-resource management and public access and that the DNR/Ducks Unlimited grant eliminates the need for county general-fund dollars for the purchase.