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.

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:

Melissa Prowse

Manager - Planning and Development and ADA Coordinator
2800 Watkins Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328
248-249-2801
prowsem@oakgov.com

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, Melissa Prowse or her designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, Melissa Prowse 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 Melissa Prowse 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 Executive Officer or his designee.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the Executive Officer or his designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the Executive Officer 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 Melissa Prowse or her designee, appeals to the Executive Officer 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.

Additional Resources

• Other Power-Driven Mobility Device Policy