Community Celebrates Opening of Pontiac Oaks County Park

(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 15, 2026)

Pontiac, MI – Surrounded by generations of Pontiac residents, and supporters from throughout the county, Pontiac Councilperson Katalee James had the brightest smile as she spoke at the ribbon cutting for Pontiac Oaks park on July 12.

For decades parks in Pontiac, such as what was historically called Hawthorne Park, suffered from neglect as the city struggled with massive tax base and job loss when the auto industry left in the 1980s. Even the basics like picking up trash and mowing the grass were sporadic, and when things like playground equipment and the fishing dock broke, there was no money for the city to fix them. In 2009, a state-imposed Emergency Financial Manager dissolved the city’s parks and recreation department completely.

Kathalee James was among those who stepped in to keep parks clean and safe, and spoke often about the importance of parks to residents. In 2012 she was the Founder and President of Friends of the Pontiac Parks Association, which carried the torch of organizing volunteers and seeking out donations for small, but vital, parks projects.

For nearly a decade and a half she pushed for changes in the parks. She even ran for City Council in 2021 so she could have an even bigger impact. And finally, on Sunday, the biggest victory yet had come.

In partnership Oakland County Parks, the former Hawthorne Park site has been expanded and curated into the new Pontiac Oaks County Park. The city still owns the land, but the county manages the park as one of their own. They’ve been able to use American Rescue Plan Act funds which help bring good health and recreation to communities following the COVID pandemic.

Oakland County was able to acquire land around Upper Silver Lake to expand the park from 77 acres to 122. They built an accessible fishing dock with a kayak launch and added a trail with a paved loop and an additional rustic loop through the woods. There is all new playground equipment, a horseshoe area, a disc golf course with 18 holes, a pavilion, and all-season restrooms.

“I can’t tell you how many cleanup campaigns we’ve had here at Hawthorne, painting, and cleaning, putting down new mulch and trying to make this place what it is today,” Councilperson James said. “I have to say I’m amazed. It’s, for me, literally a dream come true.

“I dreamed about having working bathrooms that seniors can go in, that nursing moms can go in; a place to change diapers. I dreamed about that. I dreamed about having a real dock. When I started coming out here, the dock had a sign that said ‘Unsafe. Do not use.’

“Used to be what we’re seeing today is a dream. And I have to say that our partnership with Oakland County, with Chris Ward – he’ll tell you, I had my reservations because I’m not 20 years old and I remember way back with Oakland County so I had reservations – but he has really moved the needle for the City. So I have to say that he’s done an amazing job.”

Ward, who is Director of Oakland County Parks, shared that when his department wanted to create a park in Pontiac, city leadership was hesitant. The vote was split and ultimately it was the toughest skeptic – Councilperson James – who took the leap of faith to work together on the partnership.

“We all have these people in our lives where respect and trust is not given, it’s earned – and she’s that type of person,” Ward said, adding that that they “worked arm in arm” to make the park happen. “This thing we’re celebrating here today does not happen without Councilwoman Kathalee James.”

Of course there were many other thank yous going around, and speeches from elected officials like Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuiness, County Commissioner Angela Powell, State Representative Brenda Carter, State Senator Jeremy Moss and others who all have worked to send investment towards community revitalization.

With the ribbon cutting underway, the focus shift was no longer how the creation of Pontiac Oaks could happen, but on the future it holds. Now the community can finally enjoy what Oakland County Parks Board Member Ebony Bagley described as “opportunities to play, explore, connect with nature, and make lasting memories for generations to come.”

Learn more about Pontiac Oaks at https://www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/pontiac-oaks.