Bloomfield Hills Schools Partnership
This partnership between Oakland County Parks (OCP) and Bloomfield Hills Schools (BHS) expands OCP's presence into the population-dense central corridor of Oakland County, an area currently underserved by the county park system. Johnson Nature Center and Bowers Farm align directly with the Discovery Gateway strategy under Mission 26. Together, they deliver agricultural education, environmental learning, wildlife interpretation, heritage programming and family-oriented events at a scale not currently replicated elsewhere in the OCP system.
Johnson Nature Center/Bloomfield Oaks
Johnson Nature Center is a 43-acre environmental education facility in Bloomfield Township. The site includes a four-acre pond, a Rouge River tributary and more than two miles of trails through diverse habitats. A visitor center houses science labs used for curriculum-aligned environmental education programs. The site will be referred to as Bloomfield Oaks in the OCP system.
Bowers Farm/Discovery Oaks
Bowers Farm is a 96-acre working educational farm, also located in Bloomfield Township. The farm includes livestock operations with sheep, horses, goats, poultry and llama; agricultural production areas; a farm kitchen and market selling Bowers-grown produce; 75 community gardens; and 21 curated botanical gardens maintained by the Oakland County Master Gardener Society. The site will be referred to as Discovery Oaks in the OCP system.
Phases
Interlocal Partnership Agreement
On November 24, 2025, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education unanimously authorized the Superintendent to enter formal negotiations with Oakland County Parks. Bloomfield Township elected leadership and several local organizations have also expressed support.
On March 11, 2026, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPRC) voted to approve two Interlocal Agreements with BHS including 30-year operating agreements structured on a shared stewardship model. Ownership remains with BHS, while operations transfer to OCP, including staffing authority and day-to-day management responsibility. $1.5 million each will be contributed by BHS and OCP to stabilize existing conditions and improve the sites. Educational access for BHS students will be preserved, but structured to prevent exclusivity that would prevent countywide public usage. The agreement includes the development of a Park Action Plan every five years and a Capital Improvement Plan every four years.
On April 8, 2026, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to approve the Interlocal Agreements with BHS.
Read the full press release HERE.