By David Fleet
Editor
Michigan’s newest state park will be called the Holly Oaks ORV Park.
More than 750 individuals responded to a request of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in April to name the state’s newest state park located in a former sand and gravel mining operation in Groveland and Holly townships off I-75 at Grange Hall Road and Dixie Highway.

The decision on the name was made on June 13 at the Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee meeting. The gathering is a subcommittee of the Natural Resources Commission, serving as a citizens’ advisory committee to the NRC and the Department of Natural Resources on all Michigan state park-related issues. The meeting was at the Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak.
“The general consensus of the ORV park users is that don’t care what the name of the park is—rather they are excited that it’s opening,” said Jon Noyes, principal planner for the Oakland County Parks and Recreation. “At the end of the day it’s remarkable how the community embraces the new ORV park and has worked to make it a success. It’s a catalyst for sustained economic success for years down the road and to revitalize Dixie Highway.”
Jason Fleming, chief of resource protection and promotion for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division said the outpouring of names swelled over about a month, but they decided on Holly Oaks ORV Park. The name was not based on a popular vote, he said.
“Requesting names for the park was a great, fun way to hear from the people,” said Fleming. “Some names were humorous, others more serious. From the results it’s very clear Michigan State parks have a far reaching interest not only in Michigan but nationwide. The name reflects the Groveland Oaks County Park near by. It’s important the name will prompt the marketing of the park and the growth of the facility.”
The collaborative efforts moved forward after April 2, 2019 when the Oakland County Board of Commissioners OK’d a 20-year operating agreement, with a 10-year additional option, with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Under the agreement, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission will operate the ORV Park, located in Groveland and Holly townships, in partnership with the MDNR. The current plan, for Oakland County’s 14th park is to finalize design by this fall, complete any construction in the spring of 2020 and have the park open by July 2020.
The ORV park incorporates 235 acres on property once mined for gravel. The MDNR reported in December 2014 a grant for $2.9 million was approved from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to purchase the property, however, only a portion of the grant was used so far. Currently, about 145 acres of the 235 will be included in the first phase of the ORV park. Some of the remaining acreage is still mined by area companies.