Two significant changes to Stony Lake Township Park will take effect Dec. 31.
Last week, the Oxford Township Board voted 5-2 to have the 13-acre park open on a year-round basis and allow non-residents to use it.
‘I’m in total favor of it,? said Supervisor Bill Dunn.
Currently, the park is only open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and the only people allowed to use it are Oxford township and village residents. Of the four township parks, Stony Lake is the only one with restricted access.
The park is located on the west side of M-24, just north of Ray Rd. It contains a beach, three picnic pavilions, a gazebo, restrooms, boat launch, playground and picnic areas with tables and grills.
Opening the park to non-residents will result in savings for both the parks and recreation department and township.
Parks Director Ron Davis said his department will save approximately $7,000 in wages annually because he’ll no longer have to pay for staff to man the gatehouse 49 hours a week during the summer months and check parkgoers? identification.
Other than gatehouse personnel, Davis said the park requires no other on-site staff when it’s open. He noted the beach hasn’t had lifeguards in approximately 10 years and swim-at-your-own-risk signs are posted.
‘You’re less liable if you have a drowning without guards, then you are if you have a drowning with guards,? Davis told this reporter.
The township will save approximately $12,000 per year in local, county and state property taxes. Under state law, resident-only parks are subject to taxation, while parks open to everyone are exempt.
But Davis sees other benefits besides saving money.
For example, he’ll finally be able to apply for grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) in an attempt to make some long-overdue improvements to the park.
‘The parking lot was done in 1967 and all the pavilions were built in 1970,? Davis told the board. ‘So, that gives you an idea of some of the work we need to do.?
Davis described the condition of the parking lot and boat launch as ‘terrible. ‘The parking lot is crumbled,? he told this reporter. On top of that, ‘all the pavilions need new roofs.?
Restricted parks are not eligible for MNRTF grants.
‘I can’t write any grants for that park so long as you keep it resident-only,? Davis told the board.
Davis also believes allowing greater access to Stony Lake Park will help curb deliberate acts of property destruction because more people using the park means more people keeping an eye on things, which can serve as a deterrent to vandals.
‘A lot of people think (there’s) going to be more damage (from vandals), but it’s just the opposite,? he said. ‘The more people you put in the park, the less damage you’re going to have there. It’s been a proven fact at Oakwood and at Seymour and at Powell. The key is to get people in the parks and enjoying them.?
In addition to relying on visitors and neighbors to help police the park, Davis said he trusts Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies to patrol Stony Lake just as they do the other three township parks.
‘They do a fine job,? he told the board.
Folks who witness acts of vandalism or other illegal activities in the park are strongly encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office.
‘It doesn’t do any good to call us if someone’s breaking something,? Davis said. ‘If you see something going on there that’s not right, pick up the phone (and) call the local sheriff’s department.?
Davis would ultimately like to see Stony Lake Park reach its full potential. He believes this can be accomplished by promoting it, obtaining funds from the MNRTF and getting more people to enjoy it.
Right now, the park is severely under-utilized, according to Davis, who told the board, ‘You could shoot a cannon off? in there Monday through Friday.
‘That park is empty during the day.?
‘I’m probably your best customer,? noted Dunn, who fishes there on a regular basis.
Treasurer Joe Ferrari and Clerk Curtis Wright cast the two dissenting votes.
‘I still like it as a resident-only park,? Ferrari said.
‘I would like to see a more clear plan on how this transition’s going to take place,? Wright said. ‘It might be just a quick motion like this (to change things), but to me, there’s other items that might be out there that we’re not aware of.?
Oxford has owned Stony Lake Park since November 1899 when Sarah Brabb sold it to the township for $1,175.
Davis noted despite the changes made by the township board, the park’s boat launch will continue to accommodate no more than four boats. Violators will be cited.