Oakland County parks officials outline Mission 26 millage spending, prioritize capital and access

Parks and Recreation officials presented a progress report on the Mission 26 millage to the Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee, detailing immediate and planned uses of the levy.

The presenter said the millage passed by about 69% in 2024 and that in the first 24 hours the parks commission established free park entry across the county system. Officials described a slate of capital improvement projects, acquisitions and program expansions now under way, and emphasized that current millage dollars have been directed toward one‑time capital expenses and acquisitions rather than recurring staff costs.

Officials said the parks commission is pursuing partnerships to add acreage and amenities, citing recent acquisitions that expanded park acreage by about 850 acres and statistics indicating 65,000 more residents are within a one‑mile walk of a county park. The presenter described options for the closed Waterford Oaks water park — including a four‑season splash pad or convertible facility — and said a community co‑creation process is informing design choices.

Commissioners asked for more financial detail and timing; staff responded that the millage is a 20‑year levy, that early collections were prioritized for capital projects and pipeline scaling has strained in‑house delivery capacity — prompting temporary reliance on outside construction and program management resources.

Why it matters: County leaders said the millage is reshaping access and capital investment across Oakland County parks, with an explicit emphasis on equitable distribution of benefits across districts.

What’s next: Staff said more detailed budget documents and a finalized game plan for projects including Waterford Oaks and a proposed farmer’s market at the Bicentennial property would be presented to the board early next year.