Amy McMillan, chief executive officer of the Huron‑Clinton Metroparks, told the committee the park system serves five southeastern Michigan counties (Wayne, Washtenaw, Livingston, Macomb and Oakland), operates 14 parks totaling about 25,000 acres, and maintains roughly 400 miles of trails. McMillan said Metroparks recorded about 7.3 million annual visitors and that parks contribute to regional economic activity and public health.

McMillan introduced the addition of a fourteenth Metropark in Detroit—the Huron Clinton Metroparks Water Garden within the Ralph Wilson Junior Centennial Park—opened over the preceding weekend. She described the system's mix of services, from golf courses and trails to outdoor education, aquatic-program partnerships and community swim lessons. She noted the "Everyone in the Pool" swim program provided free lessons to more than 3,000 children last year and said that expanding early swim education helps address local lifeguard shortages.

McMillan emphasized partnerships and grant-funded projects, citing recent grants used to restore the North Marina at Lake St. Clair (Metro Beach) and controlled-burn cooperation with the city of Detroit at Rouge Park. She also highlighted that the Metroparks host regional sporting events, including disc golf tournaments that draw national attention and visitors who support local businesses.

The Metroparks system said it employs roughly 1,000 people at peak season and that parks' maintenance functions—stormwater management, roads, trails and dams—serve broader community infrastructure. McMillan asked lawmakers to consider parks in statewide planning and funding and to recognize parks' contribution to community health, recreation and local economies.

Provenance: Presentation introduced at 01:05:13; concluding remarks given at 01:31:53 when McMillan thanked the committee.