Welcome Home
Welcome to Lake Oakland Heights, where community and recreation meet! Our neighborhood in Waterford, MI is home to a vibrant park association that has been dedicated to promoting safety, managing the recreation area, and fostering a strong sense of community since 1957.
We take pride in offering our residents access to a private beach, playground, and boat marina. As a member of our association, you can enjoy a variety of community events throughout the year, connecting with neighbors and contributing to the vibrant social fabric of our neighborhood.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Our Mission
Our mission at Lake Oakland Heights Park Association is to protect the investment of our property owners, promote safety, and maintain and manage our beautiful recreation area. We are dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community and ensuring the social welfare, education, and recreational interests of all our residents.
Through our non-profit Michigan company, we take pride in owning legal title to the beach and playground property, ensuring that these amenities remain in top condition for the enjoyment of our members. At Lake Oakland Heights, we are committed to creating a welcoming and vibrant community for all.
Our Values
At Lake Oakland Heights, our values are centered around creating a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment for all residents. We prioritize the maintenance and upkeep of our recreation area, ensuring that it remains a beautiful and inviting space for families to gather and create lasting memories.
We are dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community, promoting neighborly connections, and providing opportunities for residents to come together and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. Our commitment to excellence and our values form the foundation of the vibrant and thriving community at Lake Oakland Heights.
History of Lake Oakland Heights
In February 1957, a small group of residents living on Aquarina and Shoals Streets met to discuss common issues in their newly established subdivision – Lake Oakland Heights. At this time, only these two streets were occupied and the rest of the subdivision was still an open and undeveloped territory. Little did they know, this would be the beginning of what is now known as the Lake Oakland Heights Park Association.
Initially, the residents formed a club – the ‘Lake Oakland Heights Club’ – to address the need for a community organization. It was discovered that the builder held the deed to the beach lot in the subdivision, and in order to use it, residents had to belong to their association. This was a major
concern for the residents, as they did not want to be subjected to the rules and regulations set by the builder. However, they also learned that once 65% of the homes in the subdivision were occupied, the builder would turn over the deed to the beach property to the residents, upon proof of responsibility for the property.
With this information, the residents set out to develop the beach property. It was a monumental task, but with determination and community effort, they were able to transform the underdeveloped piece of lake property into a recreational area for all to enjoy. The residents sanded a swim area, leveled a beach area, cleared away weeds, built a raft and picnic tables, constructed a barbecue pit, and put up swings and a slide. Finally, in 1958, the ‘Lake Oakland Heights Club’ was officially incorporated and became known as the Lake Oakland Heights Park Association – a non-profit Michigan Corporation. This not only ensured that the residents had proof of responsibility for the property, but it also allowed for the deed to be signed over to the association, giving the residents complete control over the beach property.
Since its incorporation, Lake Oakland Heights Park Association has made significant progress and improvements to the beach property. From its humble beginnings as a piece of lake property it has grown to become the beautiful summer destination for many members of the neighborhood.