A universally accessible playground is being designed for Dodge 4 State Park, thanks to the efforts of a park-based friends group that includes members of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office along with other area representatives and Cass Lake residents.

Additional funding is being provided from a grant from the Access to Recreation Initiative. The friends group has held a number of successful fund-raisers, is donating  10% of the concession sales at Dodge 4 which the group operates and has received other private donations.. 

Estimated to cost nearly $300,000, the playground will offer a range of features allowing children of all abilities to play together. It also will allow for a mix of all age groups to be in the play area at the same time and will have an adjacent observation area so parents can easily keep an eye on their children. 

A design consultant, representatives of the friends group, along with Parks and Recreation Division staff, are researching and designing elements and features that will create a natural resources theme for the play structure, landscaping and other site amenities.

The friends group, along with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, has been sponsoring an annual fishing derby for area youth who have disabilities. A large group of volunteers from scout groups, local high schools, Bass Pro Shops, the Canine and Mounted Units of the Sheriff's Office, Special Olympics, the neighbors on Cass Lake and many others volunteer their time and resources to put on the event each year. If you would like to make a monetary donation to the playground project or volunteer for next year's fishing derby, please contact Alex Garza at (248) 682-732 or Doris Clarkson at (248) 618-8900.