Oakland County to operate Bowers Farm and Johnson Nature Center under interlocal agreement with Bloomfield Hills Schools

Oakland County commissioners voted June 3 to enter an interlocal services agreement with Bloomfield Hills Schools that will move operational responsibility for Bowers Farm and Johnson Nature Center to Oakland County Parks on a transitional schedule starting July 1.

Alan Jaros, deputy director of Oakland County Parks, introduced Dr. Esther Jackson, the parks department’s new manager for strategic planning and performance, and described the transition as a "live transition" intended to preserve program continuity for school and public users. Jaros told the commissioners the expected transitional cost is roughly $430,000; revenues generated by summer camps and programming at Bowers Farm will offset a portion of that expense.

Commissioners emphasized partnership and risk mitigation, asking staff to ensure that service levels at the sites do not decline and that a process exists to address problems during the transition. "The interlocal agreement itself gives us some leeway that if things are not going the way that they should that we have an out," Jaros said. Commissioners also noted the parks commission would consider new policies to guide expanded operations under the millage-driven increase in parks activity.

Officials said some casual-use areas would remain free while curated farm experiences may continue to carry fees because of animal care and staff costs; staff said they will outline an integrated-park process to define free and paid uses.

The board approved the interlocal agreement unanimously. Staff said they will coordinate hiring, public notice and operational details with Bloomfield Hills Schools and the parks commission during the transition period.

What happens next: County parks will post forthcoming positions, coordinate with the schools on program continuity, and report back through the parks commission and committee oversight as the transition proceeds.