Troy Park Plan Approves 31 Parking Spots for 70-Acre Green Space
Commissioners approved the site plan with specific conditions regarding lighting and materials, setting a potential opening date for the fall.
By Sakura Ellis ·
Troy Planning Commission members voted unanimously on Oct. 27 to approve the preliminary site plan for Turtle Woods County Park, a 70-acre property located north of Square Lake Road between John R and Dequindre roads. The approval came with specific requirements for lighting and material samples before final construction can proceed.
The land was originally acquired by the Troy School District in the 1950s for nature education. Oakland County Parks now manages the site after securing a nearly $2.2 million grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The county intends to preserve the educational function of the park while formalizing the existing trail system.
Ben Carslisle, a city consultant from Carlisle Wortman & Associates, outlined the physical changes included in the plan. The proposal adds 31 off-street parking spots, restrooms, a rain garden, a dumpster enclosure, and walkways connecting to the main trail. The design aims to keep the remainder of the property in its natural state.
Lynn Whipple of the PEA Group explained that the project seeks to make the trails more accessible to the public. The plan includes signage and adjustments to wetland areas to improve visitor comfort. Whipple noted the presence of a rare lake plain prairie in the middle section of the park, a habitat type that covers only 1 percent of the region's remaining land.
Commissioners debated the impact of light pollution on local wildlife. Commissioner Tyler Fox cited Milverton Park, a nearby green space without lighting, as an example of successful management without artificial illumination. Fox stated he had no issues living next to that unlit park and expressed trust in the county's long experience with such sites.
Commissioner John Tagle argued for limited lighting in public areas. He specified that fixtures should be low-profile bollard lights, approximately 36 inches above the pavement, to illuminate sidewalks and curbs without towering over the landscape. Tagle emphasized that the light should remain localized to the walking surfaces.
The commission passed the plan with conditions requiring a photometric plan to balance safety with the natural setting. The city also requested color and material samples for the new restroom structure. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027, though the park could potentially open as early as fall 2026.
