Poll: How Often Do You Go to Bald Mountain Recreation Area?

Bald Mountain Recreation Area is a state park that sits on over 4,500 acres of land, offering park-goers a range of activities to participate in.

Currently the park is used for everything from fishing to snowmobiling, picnics, bike rides, hunting and more. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently working with Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc. to construct a long-term management plan which will outline 20-year goals for the park.

A Stakeholders Open House took place in March at Addison Oaks, where community members with a vested interested in Bald Mountain Recreation Area were asked to identify the key areas they think should be developed at the park. After the Stakeholders Open House, the feedback was analyzed in preparation for the public scheduled for tonight.

Park Supervisor said when he first came on board at the beginning of the year that they were looking at ways to better define the park.

"Every park is unique. ... One of our purposes of doing the Bald Mountain management plan is to try and develop an identity for this park. You know we have the trails, we have the shooting range, we have a small beach, we have the cabins … but it really doesn’t have a firm identity," Cole said. "That’s kind of what we’re looking into finding out — what can this park offer that would be unique from other county parks? From other state parks?"

Some attendees at March's meeting said they would like to see equestrian trails throughout the park. Barb Barber of the Oakland Township Historic District Commission was one of the shareholders who shared that opinion.

"I'm glad they are listening to people and working with everyone," Barber said. "There are a few things I think they need to develop a little more, like the park being a little more equestrian friendly."

Janine Saputo noted she was pleased that the management plan outlined not only the native natural resources but also the historic resources that are on the property. She also said that the old park manager house on Predmore Road is something she would like to see restored. 

"I am glad to see they're going to preserve hunting and fishing because those are sports that often times get squeezed out," Oakland Township resident Terry Gonser said at March's Stakeholder Open House.

What are your thoughts about the park?

Respond to our poll and let us know how often you make the trip to Bald Mountain Recreation Area. If there are specific things you would like to see addressed in the park's management plan, tell us in the comments.

Tell the DNR directly what your thoughts are at the , which is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. tonight at the Orion Center, located at 1335 Joslyn Rd. in Lake Orion. For more information on the management plan visit www.birchlerarroyo.com.