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.
Phases
Master Plan Development
Work on the Turtle Woods Nature Discovery Park Master Plan is currently underway and is expected to be completed in late spring 2026. The Master Plan will serve as a guide for the long-term success of the park. It will outline park design, identify potential amenities and services, and show how built features can fit with the park’s natural areas and surrounding community.
It will take into consideration the needs of park visitors, reflect community needs, and pave the way for environmental stewardship. The Master Plan will be a public-facing plan that sets expectations for the next five years and provides opportunities for the public to track the park's progress. Ultimately, this will also serve as a foundation to guide engineering and implementation efforts.
Master Plan development is being coordinated by Oakland County Parks Planning Unit staff who will provide baseline information and consult with key staff and stakeholders throughout the process.
March 2026 Design Open House
A design open house was held at Evanswood Church in Troy on March 11, 2026, where an estimated 35 residents reviewed initial design concepts based on previously-gathered community input.
Upcoming and ongoing events
Past events
Event date: March 11th, 2026 from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
2601 E Square Lake Rd
9 registrants