Oakland County, MI
Home MenuTop Searches:
Contact Info
Parks & Recreation
Administrative Office
248-858-0906
Info@OaklandCountyParks.com
Waterford, MI 48328
Programs & Services
248-858-0916
Parks Commission
Upcoming Meeting
December 3, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. | Parks Commission Room, 2800 Watkins Lake Rd, Waterford, MI 48382:
Previous Meetings
Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks Commission typically meets the first Wednesday of every month at 2 p.m.
Ebony Bagley
Chair
Executive Committee Member
Appointed 2019
Yolanda Smith Charles
Vice Chair
Executive Committee Member
Appointed 2021
Andrea LaFontaine
Secretary
Executive Committee Member
Appointed 2018
Ann Erickson Gault
Commissioner
Executive Committee Member
Appointed 2024
Kate Baker
Commissioner
Appointed 2025
Lola Banks
Commissioner
Appointed 2024
Christine Long
Commissioner
Appointed 2009
Eric McPherson
Commissioner
Appointed 2025
Jim Nash
Commissioner
Appointed 2013
Shanell Weatherspoon
Commissioner
Appointed 2024
Chris Ward
Director - Oakland County Parks
Appointed 2021
Alan Jaros
Deputy Director - Oakland County Parks
Appointed 2025
Jim Dunleavy
Manager - Operations
Joined Parks staff in 1990
Who We Are
The 10-member Parks Commission board is made up of six elected officials and four members of the public: Oakland County Executive or designee; Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner or designee; one member of the Road Commission for Oakland County; three members of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners; and four members of the public appointed by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
What We Do
Established in 1966 under Public Act 261 of 1965, the Parks Commission is responsible for planning, developing and operating parks and recreation facilities, making rules and regulations of the parks system, establishing a fee structure and approving budget expenditures. The Parks Commission is also responsible for recommending the acquisition of new parkland, the acceptance of grant funding, and the entrance into use agreements, all of which require the approval of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
Our mission is to create and operate accessible, welcoming and sustainable parks and public spaces, provide recreational and educational programs and opportunities, preserve open space and steward the environment to help all people be healthier and build resilient, connected communities in Oakland County.
How We Are Funded
Oakland County Parks, programs, services and facilities are made possible by millage funds supported by Oakland County residents. For a home or business valued at $200,000, the homeowner pays approximately $65/year to support Oakland County Parks and Recreation.
Our Core Values
Our core values are our highest priorities, deeply held beliefs and fundamental driving forces. They are the lenses through which we plan and evaluate our work as a parks and recreation agency. They are our cultural cornerstones.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Ground all actions and decisions in equity and justice and provide parks and recreation services that feel safe and welcoming to everyone.
- Health and Wellness - Increase access to the spaces and experiences that promote physical, mental and social health for all.
- Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resources Stewardship - Plan, build and operate our parks and services in a sustainable manner while collaborating with local communities. Care for the natural environment, preserve land and open space for future generations, meet current recreation needs without compromising the future and build community resilience to climate change.
- Fiscal Responsibility and Organizational Excellence - Implement our mission with a robust, innovative and diverse parks and recreation organization and ground our decisions in sound fiscal policy.