DUE COURSE
$1M park upgrade to bring popular new equipment
An obstacle course with a fitness circuit, often referred to as a ninja course, is one of the new amenities coming to Lockman Park in Royal Oak this year.
“We already have a lot of park amenities for kids from three to 12 years old,” said John Fedele, city recreation director. “So we are really trying to find activities for teens. I believe this ninja obstacle course will (attract) teens and even younger adults to go out there and enjoy the park.”
The city is purchasing the obstacle and activity equipment from Landscape Structures headquartered in Delano, Minn. and it represents about 10 percent of the overall cost.
Royal Oak city commissioners Thursday night approved a contract for Rolar Property Services in Warren to make a number of changes at Lockman Park, just southwest of 12 Mile and Campbell Roads.
The work will be done at the north side of the 9.3-acre park starting late next month.
All of the improvements are being covered by federal community block grants, city officials said.
Contractors will first remove the basketball court, two tennis courts, a playing field, and playground equipment at the park. Children’s swings and some other equipment will be salvaged.
One new tennis court, a new basketball court and the outdoor fitness equipment will then be installed, said Joseph Murphy, the city’s director of planning.
“There’s a lot of climbing obstacles” with the ninja course, Murphy said. “We are trying to diversify the park equipment we have.”
Workers will install an engineered wood material around the fall zone areas
of the obstacle course, instead of rubber or synthetic turf. A walking path will be added inside the park.
“What I like about this is that we are doing something unique and different” with the ninja course and other upgrades, said Mayor Michael Fournier.
A concrete pad will be poured with a vinyl surround for a seasonal porta john at the park, Murphy said, along with tables, benches, and trees.
“The purpose of reorienting the location of the basketball and tennis courts is to create a green space for our youth sports programs,” Fedele said.
Changes coming to Lockman Park are similar to improvements being made at other parks in Royal Oak using federal community block grant funding, and funds from a parks millage city voters approved by a wide margin in November 2022.
The 0.7-mill parks proposal generates just over $2 million in annual revenue. Part of the money also funds about $133,00 each year for operations at the city’s animal shelter.
$1.4 million from millage is used to pay for parks and forestry workers and maintenance, while $500,000 goes toward upgrades at the city’s 51 parks.
“We are trying to complete a park renovation every year,” Fedele said. “With the millage we are able to provide renovations at more parks.”
City commissioners Melanie Macey and Rebecca Cheezum questioned no longer having any playground features for younger children at Lockman Park, which is near Keller Elementary School. However, both voted in favor of the new plan for the park in a 6-0 vote
“I think the use of this park will grow dramatically,” Mayor Fournier said, adding it would be good if the city could put a soccer field at the park.
From 2022 through the following year, there was a 44 percent increase in participation at city parks and recreation programs, Fedele said.
Having and maintaining parks is a quality-of-life factor in the desirability of Royal Oak for current and future residents, he said.
“It’s significant,” Fedele said. “Parks provide increases to property values and bring physical and mental stimulation for people of all ages. They can be outside, be active and stay active.”