Turtle Woods Nature Discovery Park

Turtle Woods Nature Discovery Park is a 70-acre property in Troy, Michigan, and has long been a priority for conservation in Oakland County. Six Rivers Land Conservancy is assisting Oakland County Parks (OCP) through a purchase agreement with the Troy School District.

In 2024 Oakland County Parks and Recreation received a $2.175M grant to purchase Turtle Woods, as well as a 1.67-acre residential parcel on Square Lake Road that will serve as parking and access to the park.

Oakland County Parks will operate Turtle Woods as a Nature Discovery Park, with very limited development. Planned improvements include a small parking lot, restrooms, trails, boardwalks and wildlife viewing areas. The goal is to keep Turtle Woods as natural as possible while creating access to allow people to enjoy and learn from the land.

The property contains several important natural areas, including a rate Wet Mesic Prairie Remnant and Southern Hardwood Swamp. The site is also home to rare species such as the Blanding’s Turtle and native plants like Wahoo and Seedbox. Preserving Turtle Woods will have significant ecological benefits including stormwater capture, water quality, climate resilience and continued cooling and shade.