OCC Highland Lake Campus Status Update

Oakland County Parks (OCP) extended an offer to purchase a 91.4-acre portion of the Oakland Community College Highland Lakes Campus and an adjacent 79.5-acre adjacent property owned by the School District in January with a goal of developing a new county park and ensuring a popular nature preserve continues to be available for public use. The terms of this offer were valid through March 31, 2025, unless extended at the mutual consent of both parties to a later date.

In summer 2025, Oakland County Parks (OCP) and Waterford School District reached an agreement that will open 79.5 acres of school-owned land for public park use, delivering new recreational and educational opportunities in Waterford Township. Under the proposed long-term interlocal agreement, OCP will assume operation and management responsibilities for the natural property on Hospital Road, just north of the former OCC Highland Lakes Campus. The land will be incorporated into the county park system, while Waterford School District retains ownership, ensuring the site continues to serve the public good for generations to come.

As of March 31, 2025, the offer to Oakland Community College was not accepted and no request was made for an extension to a later date to allow for further dialogue. At this point, it appears unlikely that OCP's’ efforts to acquire the 91.4-acre portion of the college campus property to create a new county park will be successful. OCP is open to further discussions if the situation changes and remains hopeful that the college will be open to selling a portion of the undeveloped natural area located adjacent to the Waterford Schools property.

OCC Highland Lakes Campus Project Map

View Video of the OCC Highland Lakes Campus Property

OCC Highland Lakes Campus Project Details

The Highland Lakes Campus of Oakland Community College (OCC) serves as a popular recreational destination for residents and nature lovers in the “Four Towns” area—where the communities of Waterford, West Bloomfield, Commerce and White Lake townships meet. The leadership of OCC announced plans to close the campus in 2026 and recently requested a rezoning to facilitate the residential development of 91.4 acres located on the northern portion of the property.

This area includes the Louellen Woughter Nature Reserve, an approximately 57-acre natural area that features high quality natural areas with healthy, biodiverse native communities, many of which are becoming increasingly uncommon in the Southeast Michigan region. The property is frequently utilized by walkers who explore the trailways in and around the nature reserve.

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