For more than 30 years, Ray Delasko has been employed with Oakland County Parks, and has been park supervisor at Independence Oaks County Park since it opened in 1976. While he is an administrator and has an office, he also likes getting outside as much as possible.
‘I have the best of both worlds,? he said.
Delasko struggled with career decisions after high school, so he served in the U.S. Army for two years. After attending Oakland Community College for two years, he transferred to the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a major in business.
It was not easy study for someone who was raised in a coal-mining community in Pennsylvania.
‘I found that kind of boring, because I was always an outdoors-type person,? he said. ‘I couldn’t see myself sitting behind a desk.?
In the mid-1960s, he found ‘parks and recreation? in a career catalog, then saw a sign recruiting for Oakland County Parks. He eventually finished a degree at Michigan State University during which time he worked as an intern at Groveland Oaks County Park.
In 1971, the parks system began the master plan process for Independence Oaks, and Delasko jumped at the chance to be involved. He helped develop the plan for trail and building placement, but he didn’t know it would turn into a long-term assignment.
‘I thought it was just a stepping stone, but I loved the park so much I decided to stay here,? he said.
Delasko married in 1972; he and his wife eventually moved into a home on park property. She was from Hamtramck and had some adjusting to do, but ‘she would never go back to the city now.?
As park supervisor, Delasko is in charge of budget planning and other administrative details at both Independence Oaks and Orion Oaks parks, and supervises a small full-time staff and seasonal employees.
‘They’re the ones who make the park work,? he said.
He really enjoys the diversity of the seasons and the activities offered at Independence Oaks, including the beach in the summer and ski trails in the winter. The growth of the area and the proximity to I-75 have made Independence Oaks a valuable escape for many.
‘We’re kind of an oasis,? Delasko said. ‘It’s still so natural, and we’re going to keep it that way.?
There’s a delicate balancing act in that mission, and Delasko admits there is a challenge to provide desired services while maintaining natural beauty. The 1,100-acre park has only about 60 developed acres, but there were several years of discussions as to whether to pave the park’s roads.
Pavement was found to be more environmentally-friendly in the long run (eliminating the need for annual chloride treatments), and there is now a move to pave bicycle trails throughout the park.
‘It continues to be a struggle,? but Delasko believes there is still a sense of ‘wilderness? in most of the park. Park patrons have responded favorably, with many donating trees throughout the years. The staff also works to keep everything clean and neat.
‘I think the public respects that,? and they help keep things clean, as well.
The park is so popular that there are occasional challenges in handling parking. When they reach the 1,000-car level, there are concerns about handling everyone. Delasko remembers one occasion in which 1,400 cars were in the park and they had to close it to additional visitors.
He also finds spring a challenging time, since county budget planning happens the same time the park staff is gearing up for spring and summer programs. That’s when Delasko spends the most time behind his desk, but when summer hiring is complete he likes to head out into the park to conduct inspections and talk to staff and visitors.
He and his wife often enjoy walks through the park, but he tends to notice things that need work or gets involved in picking up litter.
‘My wife says I can’t relax in this park,? he laughed, so they like to take time off to visit state parks.
Having raised three sons on park property, Delasko and his wife (a nurse) are beginning to think about retirement in the next year or two, after their third son is graduated from college.
They have a summer cottage in Oscoda that may become more of a permanent home.
Because his home at Independence Oaks has so much wildlife and open space, however, Delasko admits retirement will have a different flavor.
‘This is like a vacation home here,? he said. ‘It’s going to be different having neighbors.?
Despite his full-time job, Delasko still enjoys the outdoors for leisure activity. Biking, hiking, swimming and cross-country skiing are all part of his schedule, and he’s joined a county golf league, as well.
Delasko has also enjoyed relationships with former park employees, some of whom met their spouses on the Independence Oaks staff. Some still keep in touch, and even schedule occasional reunions.
‘It’s nice to see that. They’ll come back with their kids and their grandkids.? After thinking a minute, he added: ‘I’ve been here a long time.?