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Artistic rendering of accessible pathways throughout naturalized area

Southfield Oaks

Beech Woods Park is the second largest park in the City of Southfield, smaller than only Civic Center Park, which is home to City Hall and Southfield’s administrative offices. Formerly home to a 9-hole golf course, Beech Woods Park is an 82-acre park which features the Beech Woods Recreation Center, tennis courts, a playground, a picnic shelter, and open space. There is also a driving range, including portions that are heated and lighted, for year-round play.

Oakland County Parks and the City of Southfield have partnered to re-envision the southern 39 acres of Beech Woods Park. Under the terms of the Southfield Oaks Partnership agreement, Oakland County has committed to investing at least $2 million to transform the former 9-hole golf course on the banks of the Rouge River into a space for people to relax, socialize, be active and immerse themselves in nature. Oakland County Parks will operate the park as Southfield Oaks County Park while the City of Southfield retains ownership. The development of Southfield Oaks is funded by the OCP Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation Investment Plan, including $1.5M in ARPA funding and $1.5M from the OCP Capital Improvement Program. OCP received an additional $300,000 in funding from Sustain Our Great Lakes, a public-private partnership administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will be used to reconnect and restore four acres of floodplain along the Rouge River.

aerial map of the beech woods park property showing the southfield oaks portion

Phases

Phases overview

Interlocal Agreement

January 1, 2022 5:00 AM - November 16, 2023 5:00 AM

The City of Southfield and OCP negotiated and signed an Interlocal Partnership Agreement that details the long-term relationship intended to improve the former golf course at Beech Woods Park for the residents of Southfield and Oakland County, to be managed by OCP as an Oakland County Park.