Board OK's terms of three to county parks commission

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners has approved the appointment of Pecky Lewis, Commissioner Gary McGillivray (D-Madison Heights), and Robert Kostin to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission.

The commission’s purpose is to preserve park land and to create recreational, leisure, and learning experiences for county residents.

The 10 members of the commission include a county road commissioner, the county’s water resources commissioner, a member of the regional planning agency, and seven members appointed by the county Board of Commissioners. Not more than three of those seven members can be members of the county board.

Lewis, a Bloomfield Hills resident who has served on the Parks and Recreation Commission since 1981, said he was “pleased” to be appointed by the full board.

“I think in Oakland County we have the best park system in the country for a county this size,” Lewis said. “I visited many park systems over the years, and I believe we do things a bit better. I’d like to see more people get out to the parks. We took a survey and most people don’t know about the parks. We’re trying to get the word out more to let people know about these parks so we can increase attendance and get more repeat visitors.”

McGrillivray had served on the Parks and Recreation Commission for a year before being reappointed.

“I just have a real passion for parks and recreation,” he said. “Before getting elected as a county commissioner, I served on the Madison Heights City Council for 24 years, as well as on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board there for 24 years.”

Kostin, a lawyer based in Clarkston, will be serving his second term on the parks panel.

“I’m kind of humbled by the appointment as it came from both sides of the aisle,” Kostin said. “I’m really an outdoorsmen — I use Independence Oaks Park regularly four or five times a week and have come to be called the ‘expert’ on the (parks) commission regarding Independence Oaks. I can’t imagine a better board to ask to serve on. It’s a great appointment, and I love every minute of it.”

Those serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission serve three-year terms, are paid $35 per meeting, and receive county mileage reimbursement.

All three were appointed to a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2012 and ending Dec. 31, 2014.