Closing of Normandy Oaks, Park Utilization Survey on the Agenda

On the agenda when the Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Advisory Board meets Thursday is the closing of Normandy Oaks Golf Course, the park utilization survey and a list of park improvement priorities.

[Read: Wish List For Royal Oak Parks is a Long One]

City Manager Don Johnson told the Royal Oak City Commission at its strategic planning session in January that the financial viability of Normandy Oaks  – one of two nine-hole municipal golf courses in the city  – is simply unsustainable.

"If we open, we'll probably have to subsidize it," Johnson said. "The long-term decision we have to make is whether we sell it."

The city has a provision in its ordinances that states the land has to be maintained for recreation use, according to the city manager.

"The only way we could do anything else or sell it would be to put it on the ballot," Johnson said.

The board will also review the criteria used to determine why eight parks in the city were deemed underused parks. The list includes:

• Bassett Park, Campbell Rd. & 11 Mile Rd.
• Beechwood Park, Crooks & Walnut, N. of 12 Mile Rd.
• Franklin Park, Harrison & Mohawk, between 10 Mile & Lincoln
• Fries Park, Normandy Rd at Greenfield Rd.
• Fulton Park, Fulton & Verona Circle, north of Normandy, west of Woodward
• Maddock Park, Lincoln & Stephenson, west of I-75
• Realtor Park excess lot, Main & Sunnybrook, north of 13 Mile Rd.
• Rotary Park, Between Bembridge & Shenandoah, on 13 Mile Rd.

If you go

• What:  Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Advisory Board
• When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
• Where: Mahany/Meininger Senior Center, 3500 Marais