As Oakland County Parks marks its 60th anniversary in 2026, Mission 26 reflects the need to look forward and ensure we are positioned to meet today’s pressures as well as tomorrow’s needs.

Mission 26 At a Glance

Mission 26 provides a shared framework for improving parks, strengthening partnerships and shaping decisions with public input by:

• Creating a shared framework for long-term decision-making
• Coordinating investments, partnerships and priorities
• Engaging the public early and meaningfully

Quick Links:

• Explore the Mission 26 Plan
• View the Parks and Partnerships Map

Why Mission 26?

Parks are essential to health, learning, climate resilience and everyday quality of life. Oakland County has extraordinary parks, trails, waterways and natural areas, but how people experience those assets can feel fragmented. Mission 26 strengthens connections between parks, partners and communities so residents can access and enjoy recreation and nature close to home.

Mission 26 is inspired by the National Park Service’s Mission 66, a coordinated, long-term effort launched in the 1960s to modernize and strengthen the national park system during a period of rapid change. With Mission 26, we are applying that approach locally, bringing coordination, long-term focus and public engagement to how parks evolve across Oakland County.

Mission 26 connects ...

• County parks
• Community and affiliate park partnerships
• Learning and discovery sites
• Recreation and activity hubs
• Trails, greenways and river corridors

... while also:

• Protecting and modernizing existing parks
• Bringing parks and recreation closer to people
• Expanding partnerships
• Activating parks for learning, health and year-round use
• Treating parks as essential infrastructure
• Building resilience through land conservation and stewardship
• Using data to set priorities
• Being disciplined with public dollars

Public input is key

Residents and stakeholders are invited to engage before decisions are finalized, helping shape priorities, design concepts, partnerships and more.

Get involved

Mission 26 engagement happens through the Co-Creation Lab, an online platform where residents can:

• Follow current initiatives
• Explore maps and concepts
• Share ideas and feedback
• Help shape what comes next

Visit the Co-Creation Lab

Mission 26: A Plan for the Future