TROY \u2013 A years-long plan to transform a 70-acre nature preserve in Troy into the city\u2019s first county park is moving forward.<\/p>\n
Oakland County Parks (OCP) announced Monday that it has finalized the purchase of Turtle Woods, and got a greenlight from the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission to move ahead with the park\u2019s concept plan. <\/p>\n
Located on the north side of Square Lake Road between John R and Dequindre roads, the park contains over 40 acres of wetlands and an extremely rare lakeplain prairie ecosystem unique to the Great Lakes, according to the Six Rivers Land Conservancy \u2014 which assisted Oakland County Parks in the sale agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe addition of Turtle Woods nature preserve into the Oakland County Parks system is a creative solution to preserve a thriving local habitat,\u201d Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak) said in a news release. \u201cThe Board is fully committed to investing in our natural spaces and bringing more opportunities for residents to enjoy the many beautiful outdoor spaces across the county.\u201d<\/p>\n
The land was previously owned by the Troy School District, which acquired it more than 50 years ago for use as a possible expansion site. The district contributed nearly $1.9 million in property value toward the sale to OCP, which also received a $2.2 million Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to support the project.<\/p>\n
Six Rivers Land Conservancy secured and held the properties during the grant process and transferred them to OCP after the funding and sale agreements were completed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful to Oakland County Parks, the Troy School District and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for the partnerships that made this possible,\u201d said Christopher Bunch, executive director of the Six Rivers Land Conservancy \u201cAfter years of work, it is tremendously gratifying to see Turtle Woods remain a public resource for recreation and education while preserving habitat and water-quality functions that benefit the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plans for the park, slated to open in fall 2027, include construction of accessible trails and boardwalks, a trailhead, parking, restrooms, wayfinding and educational features. <\/p>\n
The next steps will include submitting a final design, followed by a competitive bidding process, with construction expected to begin in the spring.<\/p>\n