You’re Invited!
BLUE HERON ENVIRONMENTAL AREA
DESIGN WORKSHOP
Wednesday February 26, 2025 at 6 pm
Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd
Rochester, Michigan 48306
Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Commission is hosting this Design Workshop for park users, supporters, and partners to provide input on nature-oriented recreation facility improvements for Blue Heron Environmental Area. Landscape architects from PEA Group will be facilitating this workshop with the intent to use results to apply for a state grant.
Blue Heron Environmental Area is Oakland Township’s most visible park with frontage on Rochester Road (shown as #1 on the map below). This park was originally purchased 35 years ago to protect a great blue heron rookery that contained 25 – 50 active nests and valuable natural areas including hardwood forest, wetlands, prairie and wetland restoration areas. While the natural areas remain, the rookery was abandoned in 2010 for unknown reasons.
The Parks and Recreation Commission would like improve access to this park so that visitors can experience these exceptional natural areas which have been well preserved and stewarded for many years. They would like to get your comments on improvements that would complement these natural areas including:
- Rochester Road park entrance and parking lot
- Multi-use trail system (hiking, bicycling) including
- Accessible routes between park amenities
- Nature trail loop
- Trail head including restrooms and drinking water
- Picnic Area
- Directional, Informational, and Interpretive Signage
Those unable to attend the design workshop can email comments with the subject heading “Blue Heron Environmental Area Design Workshop” to parksplanning@oaklandtownship.org. However, we certainly would prefer to have the opportunity to personally hear your opinions concerning this important project. Again, we appreciate your input and participation.
Kindest Regards,
Ben McLoskey, Director, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation
