Parks: Recreation Vs. Preservation

Striking just the right balance makes for happy visitors and habitatsBy Jane PetersonParks and recreation is all about balance. While there is a desire to provide guests with access to an abundance of recreational opportunities, Michigan’s Oakland County Parks staff members also recognize it’s important to care for the land to which the public entrusts them, making natural-resources efforts a top priority.“We’ve had many discussions internally about how we can meet the current recreation needs without compromising the integrity of the land for future generations,” Chief of Natural Resources and Sustainability Sarah Cook-Maylen says. “Preserving land and open space quickly emerged as a top priority, but so did providing places for people to gather together, enjoy nature, and just be in fresh air outdoors.”