Oakland County Parks Partnership

Bloomfield Hills Schools entered into an interlocal agreement with Oakland County Parks that will bring new investment, operational support and expanded programming to both Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center.

The Agreement

Approved by the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education, along with the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, the agreement outlines that Bloomfield Hills Schools will retain ownership of both properties, along with priority access for our educational programming. Oakland County Parks brings operational capacity, public programming expertise and long-term support to maintain, enhance and help oversee day-to-day operations and management. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to preserving valued community assets while modernizing how they are supported, experienced and sustained for the future.

Through this partnership, we are strengthening our commitment to students and our community by pairing responsible financial stewardship with expanded access and opportunity. This agreement allows us to preserve what matters most, ensuring Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center remain vital community assets, while also leveraging this partnership to enhance programming and community use. By maintaining priority access for our students and thoughtfully expanding opportunities for the broader community, we are positioning both sites to thrive for generations to come.

Next Steps

Bloomfield Hills Schools has begun partnering with Oakland County Parks to develop and implement a comprehensive transition plan. A key focus of this work is ongoing communication with staff members who are directly impacted. We have met with these team members and will continue to provide updates and opportunities for dialogue throughout the transition.

As both organizations work to support a smooth process, we recognize that transitions of this scale can present challenges. Over the coming months, a number of details will continue to be refined, including communication tools, website and technology infrastructure, staffing structures, programming needs and requirements, and facility priorities.

March 23, 2026 Update

At the March 23, 2026 Board of Education meeting, the Board voted to adopt a resolution to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for Bowers Farm and the E.L. Johnson Nature Center.

Throughout the spring and summer, Bloomfield Hills Schools will partner with Oakland County Parks to establish and execute a comprehensive transition plan.

Additional information will be shared with the community on this website and at future Board of Education meetings in the coming months as it becomes available.

Resolution

December 2025-March 2026 Update

Since November 2025, Superintendent Rick West has provided regular updates at Board of Education meetings indicating that discussions with Oakland County Parks are ongoing, with the goal of bringing a proposed agreement to the BHS Board of Education in the Spring. On March 11, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed materials related to the partnership and approved the Interlocal Agreements for both Johnson Nature Center and Bowers Farm, authorizing their Director to finalize terms pending legal review. As previously shared, Bloomfield Hills Schools anticipates bringing a similar proposal before the Board of Education at an upcoming meeting. Details will be posted on the Board of Education website in accordance with standard practices.

November 25, 2025 Update

After gathering community feedback throughout the month of October 2025, Bloomfield Hills Schools and Oakland County Parks updated the Board of Education at the November 24, 2025 Board of Education Meeting. After reviewing all of the community feedback, the Board of Education adopted the below resolution authorizing the superintendent to proceed in negotiations with Oakland County Parks.

Resolution

Community Feedback

Community feedback is vital in shaping how Bowers School Farm and the Johnson Nature Center can best serve students, staff, and residents in a sustainable, fiscally responsible way. Thank you to everyone who participated in an event, completed the survey, or shared your feedback in a different way with us.

• Community Feedback Results Infographic
• Community Feedback Results Slide Deck

Community Feedback Opportunities

Community members had the opportunity to engage with representatives from Bloomfield Hills Schools and Oakland County Parks at two pop-up open houses in October.

• Saturday, October 18, 2025- Bowers School Farm, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
• Monday, October 20, 2025- Johnson Nature Center, 4-6 p.m.

During the events, attendees identified their main priorities for the facilities and discussed thoughtful questions and concerns with top officials.

Bloomfield Hills Schools and Oakland County Parks shared a community feedback survey over the course of October 2025. Over 700 people participated in the survey.

Summer 2025

Bloomfield Hills Schools and Oakland County Parks are exploring a potential partnership to preserve and strengthen Bowers School Farm and the Johnson Nature Center. While no formal agreements have been made, early discussion suggest a model in which:

• Bloomfield Hills Schools would continue to have priority access for educational programming.
• Oakland County Parks would oversee recreation-related operations, and facility maintenance.

This collaboration could provide valuable resources to protect and enhance these treasured spaces, expand recreational opportunities, and address long-term facility needs.

More detail about the potential partnership