insideauburnhills

Grant Sought To Convert Former Country Kitchen Into New City Park

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner and Brian Marzolf, Recreation Director

A public hearing has been scheduled by the Auburn Hills Planning Commission/Recreation Commission for Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Robert W. Grusnick Public Safety Building, which is located at 1899 N. Squirrel Road, regarding the City’s consideration of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant application to assist with the funding of a potential new park along the Clinton River.

The site where the proposed Kayak Point Park (name under consideration) is planned is the former Country Kitchen restaurant property, which is located at the northeast corner of Opdyke Road and Auburn Road.

The City obtained the property from Oakland County as the result of tax foreclosure in July 2017.  The entire site is situated within a federally designated floodway and flood hazard zone, which makes converting the land into a park a natural transition.  In accordance with the goals of the City Council, the project will also help beautify and improve that section of the Opdyke Road corridor.

The grant application includes many features that will take advantage of the site’s placement along the Clinton River, which are the following:

  • New access point to the Clinton River for recreational use
  • Kayak and canoe launch
  • Riverfront/access for fishing
  • Wildlife/river viewing areas
  • Pathways and nature trails
  • Entrance drive for vehicles from Auburn Road
  • Picnic shelter with seating
  • River wayfinding and safety signage
  • LED and solar site lighting
  • Landscaping with native plants/grasses and rock

This project has the full support of eleven organizations including: DNR Fisheries, SEMCOG, Oakland County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Clinton River Watershed Council, City of Rochester Hills, local businesses, and nearby property owners.

Those wishing to learn more about the proposal are welcome to attend the meeting and provide comments.  The proposed grant application may be examined in advance of the meeting during regular business hours at the Auburn Hills Community Center.