Oakland County Parks takes over Bowers Farm and Johnson Nature Center from Bloomfield Hills Schools
The county parks commission now runs the district's farm and nature center. A kickoff was held Oct. 10, and the transition period has been extended to Dec. 31.
By OCJ Staff
Bowers Farm and the E.L. Johnson Nature Center, long run by Bloomfield Hills Schools, are now operated by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, according to C&G Newspapers.
The two sites marked the change with a partnership kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the farm, 1219 E. Square Lake Road. C&G reported the sites now carry new names: Bowers Farm at Discovery Oaks Park and Johnson Nature Center – Bloomfield Oaks Park.
How it happened
The Bloomfield Hills Board of Education passed a resolution March 23 to enter into two separate interlocal agreements with the parks commission, one for each site, according to C&G.
Day-to-day operations have moved to the county, but the deal is still in a transition period. That period has been extended to Dec. 31 while the two sides finish an operating plan.
Superintendent Rick West said the extra time was needed to settle details, including "some nuance with some employment matters," C&G reported.
Employees and programs
Former district employees had to reapply for their jobs with the county. Alan Jaros, the parks commission's deputy director, told C&G that everyone who wanted to stay found a position, though the jobs were not always the same and the county had not promised that they would be.
At the March meeting, residents asked about the future of TreeSchool, a nature-based program at the sites, and about district staff. According to C&G:
- TreeSchool is running this school year, with 32 families enrolled and new morning and afternoon options.
- West said educational programs have continued and field trips have started.
- West said field trips have been opened to other districts across the county, and Pontiac has started programming at the parks. Jaros said any school can take part if there is room on the schedule.
County parks director Chris Ward said the goal is a countywide outdoor learning network, not just running one local site.
The C&G report did not include the financial terms of the agreements.
This story uses reporting from C&G Newspapers.