{"id":398920,"date":"2026-07-15T05:08:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:08:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/398920\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T05:08:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:08:50","slug":"community-celebrates-opening-of-pontiac-oaks-county-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/398920\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Celebrates Opening of Pontiac Oaks County Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Community Celebrates Opening of Pontiac Oaks County Park<\/p>\n

(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 15, 2026)<\/p>\n

Pontiac, MI \u2013 Surrounded by generations of Pontiac residents, and supporters from throughout the county, Pontiac \"\"<\/a>Councilperson Katalee James had the brightest smile as she spoke at the ribbon cutting for Pontiac Oaks park on July 12.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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\u2019s parks and recreation department completely.<\/p>\n

Kathalee James was among those who stepped in to keep parks clean and safe, and spoke often about the importance of parks to residents.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 And finally, on Sunday, the biggest victory yet had come.<\/p>\n

In partnership Oakland County Parks, the former Hawthorne Park site has been expanded and curated into the new Pontiac Oaks County Park.\u00a0 The city still owns the land, but the county manages the park as one of their own.\u00a0 They\u2019ve been able to use American Rescue Plan Act funds which help bring good health and recreation to communities following the COVID pandemic.<\/p>\n

Oakland County was able to acquire land around Upper Silver Lake to expand the park from 77 acres to 122.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 There is all new playground equipment, a horseshoe area, a disc golf course with 18 holes, a pavilion, and all-season restrooms.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI can\u2019t tell you how many cleanup campaigns we\u2019ve had here at Hawthorne, painting, and cleaning, putting down new mulch and trying to make this place what it is today,\u201d Councilperson James said.\u00a0 \u201cI have to say I\u2019m amazed.\u00a0 It\u2019s, for me, literally a dream come true.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u00a0 When I started coming out here, the dock had a sign that said \u2018Unsafe. Do not use.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cUsed to be what we\u2019re seeing today is a dream.\u00a0 And I have to say that our partnership with Oakland County, with Chris Ward \u2013 he\u2019ll tell you, I had my reservations because I\u2019m not 20 years old and I remember way back with Oakland County so I had reservations \u2013 but he has really moved the needle for the City.\u00a0 So I have to say that he\u2019s done an amazing job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ward, who is Director of Oakland County Parks, shared that when his department wanted to create a park in Pontiac, city leadership was hesitant.\u00a0 The vote was split and ultimately it was the toughest skeptic \u2013 Councilperson James \u2013 who took the leap of faith to work together on the partnership.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have these people in our lives where respect and trust is not given, it\u2019s earned \u2013 and she\u2019s that type of person,\u201d Ward said, adding that that they \u201cworked arm in arm\u201d to make the park happen. \u201cThis thing we\u2019re celebrating here today does not happen without Councilwoman Kathalee James.\u201d<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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 \u201copportunities to play, explore, connect with nature, and make lasting memories for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more about Pontiac Oaks at https:\/\/www.oakgov.com\/community\/oakland-county-parks\/parks-trails\/pontiac-oaks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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