West Bloomfield Township in Orchard Lake Village in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

An Advocate for Parks

Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 5, 2020

1. An Advocate for Parks Marker

Inscription.
A local advocate and leader.
Daniel J. Navarre served as the Director of the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission (WBPRC) from January 1999 until November of 2014. He is the longest serving director to date and is credited with securing over $4 million in grants to fund large portions of the WBPRC's improvement projecxts.

The WBPRC is forever grateful for Dan's innovative approaches that enhanced the parks and expanded the nature trails. On behalf of the residents of West Bloomfield, and many future generations to come, we express our deep appreciation for the enrichment of our parks and recreational spaces that are attributable in large part to Dan's leadership and dedication.

An unparalleled contribution to Township parks.
This trail section is dedicated in honor of the exemplary service and outstanding projects developed under the guidance of Director Daniel J. Navarre, including:

Acquisition and development of an additional 2.5 miles to the West Bloomfield Trail;
Development of the award-winning Marshbank Park;
The renovation of Bloomer Park and the Schulak farmhouse and barn;
Acquisition of an additional 17 acres to Karner Farm as well as the creation of the West Bloomfield Dog Park and Community Garden;
Creation of the Skate Park at Drake Sports Park.

A snapshot of Dan's impact on parks:

Top image caption: Marshbank Park
Second image from top caption: Skate Park at Drake Sports Park
Second image from bottom caption: West Bloomfield Trail Extension
Bottom image caption: Dog Park at Karner Farm

Erected by West

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Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1999.

Location. 42° 34.069′ N, 83° 23.621′ W. Marker is in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is in West Bloomfield Township. It is on Arrowhead Road 0.3 miles south of Pontiac Trail, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the West Bloomfield Trail, a biking/hiking trail, near the West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4655 Arrowhead Road, West Bloomfield MI 48323, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Settling the Dust (within shouting distance of

Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 5, 2020

2. An Advocate for Parks Marker

View looking west from Arrowhead Road.

this marker); WB Parks Kiosk (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Blues (approx. 0.4 miles away); Go in Peace (approx. 0.6 miles away); Emmendorfer House / Francis A. Emmendorfer (approx. 1.6 miles away); Remembering Historic Railways (approx. 1.7 miles away); Orchard Lake Chapel (approx. 1.9 miles away); Chief Pontiac (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orchard Lake Village.

Additional commentary.
1. Identical marker
An identical marker is also on the West Bloomfield Trail, 2.3 miles west of this marker.

— Submitted September 8, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.