Pontiac Oaks County Park is about to show off a years-long makeover, with a family ribbon-cutting and community party set for next Sunday. The county project boosts lake access, reshapes playground areas and adds new accessible features meant to pull in families and outdoor fans from across the region. The spot longtime locals knew as Hawthorne Park now reads as a larger, more walkable stretch of green for Pontiac and nearby communities.
As reported by MLive, Oakland County and its partners put nearly $3 million into upgrades that include a boardwalk on Upper Silver Lake, a floating ADA-compliant kayak launch at Creger Lake, new horseshoe pits, renovated restrooms and audio-video surveillance for added security. The same coverage highlights an 18-hole disc golf course, expanded playgrounds and accessible trails among the fresh amenities. County and city officials plan to celebrate the work with a free, family-focused community event.
Oakland County's project page lays out the design scope and lists an anticipated investment of roughly $2.215 million, including about $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and county capital dollars for the rest, aimed at reopening and improving park facilities. County materials also point to work already finished, such as a larger fishing pier, restroom renovations and nature-based play pockets intended to reconnect visitors with the shoreline.
What's New at Pontiac Oaks
The park now offers paved, accessible loops and nature-based play pockets that wind toward new lake overlooks and a boardwalk set up for casual fishing and wildlife watching. The Thorne at Pontiac Oaks is listed as an 18-hole course by the Professional Disc Golf Association, and county construction notices describe the ADA kayak launch and improved views of the water. Taken together, the upgrades are designed to broaden who can use the park and what they can do once they get there.
Expansion and Land Transfers
Oakland County has grown Pontiac Oaks by acquiring neighboring parcels, including the former Hawthorne Elementary site, opening up more shoreline and trail options in the process. A Ducks Unlimited grant puts the park's footprint after the acquisitions in roughly the low-100-acre range, a notable jump from its earlier 77 acres.
Early visitors have largely welcomed the changes. Lake Orion resident Jake Shockey told MLive, "It's looking really good over here," adding that he is especially excited about the new playground for his young children. The same report notes that the county plans to hand out free youth fishing poles to the first 50 children who show up for the celebration.
Ribbon Cutting and Community Party
Oakland County's event calendar lists a public ribbon-cutting at Pontiac Oaks starting at 2 p.m. next Sunday, July 12, with family-friendly programming continuing through the afternoon. The event is free and does not require registration. County listings say visitors can expect guided walks and demonstrations that show off the new accessible launch, boardwalk and other key features.
The overhaul at Pontiac Oaks is part of Oakland County's Healthy Communities investments, a program that pairs federal ARPA dollars with local capital to focus on parks in more densely populated urban neighborhoods. Federal ARPA reporting and county planning documents point to similar investments at Catalpa Oaks, Red Oaks, Southfield Oaks and Waterford Oaks, all within a broader push to expand access, improve safety and grow outdoor programming across the county.
