Parks & Recreation

Administrative Office

Programs & Services

Accessibility

Oakland County Parks is committed to providing quality parks, programs and amenities for people of all abilities. We work to include accessibility into the design from the very beginning of the process and strive to prioritize universal accessibility in our parks and programs. We welcome input on how to make our parks and programs more accessible.

Programming

Adaptive recreation programs and accommodations for individuals with disabilities to participate in all Oakland County Parks programs are coordinated by our Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Programming is available year-round. Visit the Adaptive Recreation webpage to learn more.

Parks and Facilities

Oakland County Parks strives to make all guests feel welcome. This means going beyond minimum accessibility standards to incorporate Universal Design* principles into our new facilities and, where feasible, updating existing facilities.

Equipment

Adaptive recreation equipment is constantly evolving, and these developments continue to make enjoyment of the natural world more accessible to all. Oakland County Parks strives to provide adaptive equipment that creates opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in activities where there might otherwise be a barrier. Depending on the program or facility, this equipment may be reserved through preregistration, available on a first-come, first-served basis or rented. For more information, view the specific equipment in the Descriptions of Features section below.

Descriptions of Features

Oakland County Parks seeks to provide meaningful recreation experiences for all community members. The following amenities are available at select parks as indicated below. For additional information or accommodations, please call the office of the park you plan to visit.

Oakland County Parks has the following adaptive equipment available for guests to use. Please keep in mind that some equipment may require advance notice to ensure it is available. The location of each piece of equipment is also listed. Please see the equipment information for each park or program to find out how to make any necessary arrangements.

Archery stand
- Independence Oaks
Beach Access
- Groveland Oaks - Paved pathway
- Independence Oaks - Beach mat upon request
Golf Carts
Water Wheelchair
- Independence Oaks
- Red Oaks Waterpark

Oakland County Parks provides materials in a variety of formats. To make a request, please call 248-221-8040 or email OPCrecreation@oakgov.com.

There is an accessible route from the beach parking lot to the archery range firing line at Independence Oaks and adaptive archery equipment is available upon request, no reservation needed, during archery range hours.

Oakland County Park operates beaches at two parks:

Groveland Oaks, which features an accessible concrete ramp into the water
Independence Oaks, which has an accessible mat that can be rolled out upon request for access to the water

For operating hours and potential environmental closures of the beaches, visit the Groveland Oaks webpage or the I ndependence Oaks webpage.

Accessible kayak launches are available at Addison Oaks, Groveland Oaks, Independence Oaks and Pontiac Oaks (once construction is complete in 2026). Kayak launches aid in the transfer from wheelchair to a kayak and back into the chair for individuals with disabilities, people who need assistance or beginners learning to kayak. The kayak launches are located near the boathouses at each park.

Universal Changing Tables, also known as Adult Changing Tables, are being included in new facility designs that are scheduled to open in 2026. Locations will include:

Oakland County Parks fishing docks and viewing platforms are accessible. Fishing docks are located at Addison Oaks, Groveland Oaks, Highland Oaks, Independence Oaks, Orion Oaks, Pontiac Oaks (expected to reopen in 2026) and Rose Oaks. Discover more information about fishing opportunities.

Drinking fountains and water bottle filling stations are available at most parks, some year-round and some seasonally.

Our event centers have areas where passengers can be dropped off or picked up close to the door. Accommodations can be made for accessible entry into the Ellis Barn and Wint Nature Center. For questions regarding specific park facilities, please call the park office.

In case of emergency, call 911. First Aid and AEDs are available at park offices.

Interpretive services are available for any program upon request at no cost. Requests must be made directly to the park or program of interest at least two weeks in advance. Oakland County Parks’ nature centers offer some scheduled programs with an American Sign Language interpreter. Reach out to the Nature Education team to learn more.

Language translation services will be provided for any program, project materials or information upon request. Requests must be made directly to the park or program of interest at least two weeks in advance.

Mobility devices are permitted wherever pedestrian access is allowed. Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD’s) must abide by the Oakland County Parks OPDMD Policy and may be subject to speed restrictions where applicable for the safety of guests.

Accessible parking lots for each park and facility are indicated on park maps. Accessible parking spaces in these lots are connected by access routes to the nearest amenities.

Some nature areas have gravel parking lots connecting to gravel or dirt trails.

Pickleball is a sport that is fun and easy to play. It appeals to players of all ages and abilities. Oakland County Parks has multiple accessible pickleball courts at two locations:

Lyon Oaks - four outdoor, accessible pickleball courts connected by access route to restroom facilities, accessible playground, parking and a pavilion.
Springfield Oaks - indoor courts that are available year round. Contact Springfield Oaks for information about operating hours.

Picnic areas of varying sizes and accessibility are available at multiple parks. For questions about a specific park or picnic area, please contact the park office where you plan to visit.

Playgrounds of varying sizes and accessibility are available at multiple parks. Playgrounds developed specifically for universal accessibility are located at:

Lyon Oaks County Park - Woods Edge area
Waterford Oaks County Park - Cattail Cove area (opening in 2026)
Other parks with playgrounds include:

* Please note: Our current playground designs do not include perimeter fencing.

Visit our Playground webpage for a map and other information.

These parks are located within a mile of public bus routes:

Oakland County Parks' Adaptive Recreation team plans many adaptive recreation programs, events and activities each year. Please email OCParks@oakgov.com to request accommodations for larger special events and programs presented by OCP's Recreation, Programs and Services team.

Restrooms with accessible stalls are indicated on individual park maps.

Universal Changing Tables, also known as Adult Changing Tables, are being included in new facility designs that are scheduled to open in 2026. Locations will include:

Oakland County Parks maintains The Quiet Zone, a sensory inclusive space where sensory regulation tools, such as noise reducing headphones and fidget tools, are available. The Quiet Zone is available at many large-scale events. Check the Adaptive Recreation webpage for a list of upcoming Quiet Zone events.

OCP also partners with KultureCity, a nonprofit organization that trains staff at venues and certifies venues that have sensory inclusive modifications.

Service animals are allowed anywhere in the park system that park users can go, except in a pool, splash area or River Ride at Red Oaks Waterpark in accordance with park rules and county health codes.

Many Oakland County Parks have shelters and pavilions that can be rented for private events. Most are accessible, but specific questions should be directed to individual parks. Parks with pavilions and shelters include:

Oakland County Parks maintains more than 100 miles of trails. These trails are in the process of being classified by grade and trail surface. For information about each trail designation, check out the Trail Rating webpage.

Requesting Accommodations

To request an accommodation or equipment at a park, please contact the specific park office directly. Contact information is available on the Parks and Trails webpage.

Feedback

Oakland County Parks wants to provide guests with the information they need to feel confident and comfortable visiting our parks. If there is any information you would like to see that is not currently available, please contact us. Also, let us know if you have an idea for our parks that would increase accessibility. Thank you for your help in making our parks and programs welcoming for all.

Accessibility Feedback Form

Grievance Procedures under the Americans with Disabilities Act

This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission. The County's Human Resource Policy governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination.

The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:

Dr. Esther Jackson, Manager - Strategic Planning & Performance
2800 Watkins Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328
248-630-4797
jacksonesl@oakgov.com

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, Dr. Esther Jackson or her designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, Dr. Esther Jackson or her designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille or audio tape. The response will explain the position of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

If the response by Dr. Esther Jackson or her designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant and/or his/her designee may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the Parks Director or his designee.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the Parks Director or his designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the Parks Director or his designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

All written complaints received by Dr. Esther Jackson or her designee, appeals to the Parks Director or his designee, and responses from these two offices will be retained by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for at least three years.