Oakland County panel recommends $200,000 for Farmington fitness courts, approves several park grants and interlocal agreements

Oakland County commissioners’ parks and recreation committee on Feb. 14 recommended county backing for multiple park projects, including a $200,000 match for two fitness courts in the city of Farmington, acceptance of several federal- and state-funded grants, and interlocal agreements that transfer management or adjust boundaries for regional park properties.

The committee recommended that the full Board of Commissioners approve a $200,000 strategic partnership grant to the city of Farmington to support two fitness courts—one at Shiawassee Park and one at Flanders Park—that county staff said will leverage a $105,000 Priority Health grant and $172,500 in other matching funds. Mayor Joe LaRusso described the courts as part of a national nonprofit program aimed at promoting outdoor fitness: "The fitness courts are part of a national fitness challenge... their goal is to have 1 of these courts within 10 minutes of any residence domicile so they really want to promote active living healthy lifestyle and outdoor fitness." The committee voted to recommend the item to the full board (motion and vote recorded at the meeting).

Com…