Red Oaks Play Garden Design Information

The Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation Investment Plan is a $20.2 million program aimed at enhancing park and recreation opportunities in Oakland County using $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds matched with an additional $5.2 million in funding from OCP. There is one of these projects in the works in Madison Heights:

Red Oaks Play Garden

Red Oaks County Park is a 139-acre park located in southeastern Oakland County in the City of Madison Heights. The complex includes a nature center, nature preserve, waterpark, dog park and golf course. The 7-acre former Ambassador Park, located on 13-Mile Road, is now incorporated into the Red Oaks County Park complex and will become Red Oaks Play Garden. The Nature Center, Nature Preserve and Red Oaks Play Garden are operated by OCP and owned by the City of Madison Heights. 

Summary Project Scope

The addition of Ambassador Park to Red Oaks County Park will provide land that is not located over G.W. Kuhn Drain and therefore can support new infrastructure, including green restrooms. The Park Action Plan incorporates changes that will improve access and visitor experience. Park improvements will focus on senior-friendly intergenerational amenities and features, which will be dedicated as the Red Oaks Play Garden. The project is funded by the OCP Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation Investment Plan, including $2,750,000 in ARPA funding and $4,390,465 from the OCP Capital Improvement Program.

• An Interlocal Partnership Agreement was signed on Aug. 7, 2023
• The Park Action Plan was signed on Nov. 17, 2023
• The Capital Improvement Plan was signed on April 17, 2024

Status: In Process

This portion of the park is closed for a full park renovation that will include a newly configured parking lot with improved stormwater retention, new playground and tot garden, hammocks, sledding hill improvements and a restroom building with attached shade structure and porch swings.

Contact Information

Simon Rivers
Interim Planning Lead
248-421-9033
riverss@oakgov.com